Alkaline phosphatase - Information on Reasons, Preparation, Method of testing and test results for Alkaline phosphatase
Alkaline phosphatase or ALP is an enzyme that is mostly produced in the liver and bone. Some amount is also created in the intestines, kidneys and placenta of pregnant women. An alkaline phosphatase blood test is done to determine the content of the enzyme in the blood.
Reasons for Performing the Alkaline phosphatase Test
An alkaline phosphatase blood test is done to detect liver disease or damage. Liver disease is usually exhibited through symptoms such as jaundice, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Certain medications can also cause damage to the liver. Bone abnormalities can also be detected through this test. These include rickets, bone tumors, paget’s disease, osteomalacia and excess of the parathyroid hormone which regulates the growth of bones. ALP levels in the blood can also be indicative of the progress of the treatment for paget’s disease.
Preparation for the Alkaline phosphatase Test
No special preparation is required before an ALP test. For follow-up tests, the individual may be instructed to stop eating and drinking for ten hours prior to the test, as ALP levels rise with the intake of food. The individual must also inform the doctor about the medications he may currently be on. Other doubts and concerns can be cleared through a discussion with the doctor before taking the test.
Method of Testing Alkaline phosphatase
An alkaline phosphatase blood test is performed in the same manner as a routine blood test in which a sample of blood is taken by inserting a needle into a vein of the upper arm of the individual.
Test Results for Alkaline phosphatase
The alkaline phosphatase test results may vary between different laboratories, but the normal level is considered to be 30 to 126 units per liter for adults and 30 to 300 units per liter for children. High values of ALP may be indicative of liver conditions such as hepatitis, obstruction of the bile ducts, cirrhosis, gall stones, cancer of the liver or cancer that has spread from other parts of the body to the liver. Other causes of elevated ALP levels may be bone conditions such as paget’s disease, bone tumors, rickets, osteomalacia, hyperparathyroidism and healing of bone fractures. Heart conditions, mononucleosis, cancer of the kidney or sepsis can also cause increased ALP levels.
Low values of ALP can be indicative of conditions caused due to inadequate intake of nutrients, for example scurvy.
Other Considerations for Alkaline phosphatase Test
ALP test results may not be accurate if the individual has been taking certain medications such as birth control pills, oral diabetes drugs or certain antibiotics. ALP is produced by the placenta in pregnant woman and hence the test results would not be accurate in this case as well. Also, women who have passed menopause have higher levels of ALP. Children too have higher ALP levels due to rapid growth of bones. Intake of alcohol can also influence ALP test results.
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