This is a specialized diagnostic test for severe abdominal conditions. When you have an abnormal buildup of fluid in your abdomen (ascitic fluid), your doctor may test it for amylase. High levels of this digestive enzyme in the fluid are a strong indicator of pancreatitis or a perforation (hole) in your intestine. A sample of the fluid is collected for this test, which provides rapid, life-saving information in an emergency setting to guide critical treatment decisions.