Alkaline phosphatase (ALP – medical abbreviation) is a protein found in all body tissues. Tissues with greater quantities of ALP include the liver, bile ducts, and bone.
A blood test can be done to measure the level of ALP. An associated test is the ALP isoenzyme test.
How Is ALP Blood Test Performed?
A blood sample is needed. The majority of the time blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
You must not to eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to the test, unless your health care service provider tells you otherwise.
Numerous medications can disrupt blood test outcomes.
- Your service provider will inform you if you have to stop taking any medicines prior to you have this test.
- DO NOT stop or alter your medicines without talking to your provider first.
You might feel small pain or a sting when the needle is placed. You might likewise feel some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn.
Why Is ALP Level in Blood Checked?
Factors the test may be done include:
- To diagnose liver or bone disease
- To check, if treatments for those diseases are working
- As part of a regular liver function test
Alkaline Phosphatase Normal Range
The normal range of ALP is 44 to 147 IU/L (international units per liter) or 0.73 to 2.45 microkat/L (more details in Table 1).
Normal values of alk phos levels range may differ a little from laboratory to laboratory. They likewise can vary with age and gender. High levels of ALP are generally seen in children going through development spurts and in pregnant women.
The examples above reveal the typical measurements for outcomes for these tests. Some labs use various measurements or may test different specimens.
| Table 1. Alkaline Phosphatase Blood Test Ranges | |
|---|---|
| Normal | 44 to 147 IU/L or 0.73 to 2.45 microkat/L |
| Higher than normal | >147 IU/L or >2.45 microkat/L |
| Lower than normal | <44 IU/L or <0.73 microkat/L |
What Do High ALP Levels Mean?
- Rickets
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Biliary obstruction
- Bone conditions
- Consuming a fatty meal if you have blood type O or B
- Liver disease (Fatty liver)
- Osteoblastic bone tumors, osteomalacia, a fracture that is healing
- Sarcoidosis
- Paget disease
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
What Do Low ALP Levels Mean?
- Hypophosphatasia
- Wilson disease
- Protein deficiency
- Poor nutrition
Other conditions for which the test may be done:
- Pancreatitis
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
- Giant cell (temporal, cranial) arteritis
- Alcohol addiction
- Gallstones
- Biliary stricture
- Alcoholic liver disease (hepatitis/cirrhosis)
- Renal cell carcinoma
Conclusion
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme discovered in your blood stream. ALP assists break down proteins in the body and exists in different kinds, depending on where it originates. Your liver is among the main sources of ALP, but some is likewise made in your bones, intestines, pancreas, and kidneys. In pregnant women, ALP is made in the placenta.
