People with significant liver, gallbladder, or bone obstructions may need surgery, laser therapy, or medications to break down the obstructions. This procedure does not provide serial monitoring; it is intended for one-time use only. Checking ALP levels in the blood is a routine part of liver function and gallbladder tests. Diagnosing and monitoring treatment of liver, bone, intestinal, and parathyroid diseases. We are dedicated to providing the most scientifically valid, unbiased, and comprehensive information on any given topic. Read on to learn about its role in the body and whether your values are normal. It can also be used to check the progress of treatment for any of the above conditions. Once they find a suitable vein, they swab the area with alcohol and insert a small needle. ALP is an enzyme present in various parts of the body. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have. Dennis Sifris, MD, is an HIV specialist and Medical Director of LifeSense Disease Management. What does a high blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level mean? In Paget disease of bone there is often isolated elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase. Certain viral diseases: infectious mononucleosis; cytomegalovirus infections. Having blood drawn for an ALP test is routine. They are secretors of ABH RBC antigens and also carry the Lewis red cell antigen. Joe is a thriving entrepreneur, with a mission to empower people to take advantage of the precision health revolution and uncover insights from their DNA and biomarkers so that we can all feel great all of the time. Some foods and drinks can help protect liver health. Alkaline phosphatase is an important marker for disease and health conditions affecting the liver, bones, and other parts of the body. It is often completed with other blood tests for assessment purposes. Lindsay Cook, PharmD is a board-certified consultant pharmacist. Most of the time blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. Tumors, especially hypernephroma; neoplastic ectopic production (Regan, Nagao isoenzymes). Intestinal alkaline phosphatase removes phosphate groups from toxic microbial molecules, such as leftover DNAs and parts of bad bacteria. All Rights Reserved. This causes fragile bones that can easily fracture and are slow to heal. It is found in osteoblasts, hepatocytes, leukocytes, the kidneys, spleen, placenta, prostate, and the small intestine. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase is seen normally in the serum of subjects who have B or O blood types, especially after a fatty meal. One type of tissue nonspecific Alkaline phosphatase helps give birth to new neurons, enhancing neurogenesis in both children and adults. Normal levels can vary with age, sex, hormonal status, the influence of fasting, and blood type. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 155. James Myhre is an American journalist and HIV educator. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) blood test is used to find liver and bone disorders. Alkaline phosphase (ALP). Acta 15, 241 (1967)] with a much larger sample size than used in previous investigations. Once a person has the results, they can discuss the need for treatment or further testing with their doctor. Elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in postmenopausal women is caused by high bone turnover Aging Clin Exp Res. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels that are considered normal differ by age and status of pregnancy. Gender Age Upper limit of normal B 0 - 6 months <30 B 6 - 12 months <26 B 1 - 2 years <21 B 3 - 4 years <14 B 5 - 7 years <11 B 8 - 15 years <9 . In Conversation: Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Can Fatty Liver Disease Cause Sudden Death? The response of the liver to any form of biliary tree obstruction induces the synthesis of ALP by hepatocytes. What is an alkaline phosphatase level test? To confirm biliary abnormality, an additional useful test is GT. The normal range of alkaline phosphatase in the blood is 20 to 140U/L, although this can vary from lab to lab. Pediatric reference intervals are based on Meites S. Pediatric Clinical Chemistry: Reference (Normal) Values. Panteghini M, Bais R: Serum enzymes. Lammers WJ, van Buuren HR, Hirschfield GM, et al: Levels of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin are surrogate end points of outcomes of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis: An international follow-up study. Intestinal ALP isoenzyme, an asialoglycoprotein normally cleared by the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors, is often increased in patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, alkaline phosphatase may not be used as a screening test to rule out vitamin D deficiency. If a red-top tube or green-top tube is used, transfer separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube. It helps break down proteins in the body and exists in different forms, depending on where it originates. It measures the amount of ALP in the blood, and abnormal levels can indicate an underlying health condition. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Stress-free visits Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher than normal amounts of certain chemicals, including liver enzymes, into the bloodstream, which can result in elevated liver enzymes on blood tests. The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Alkaline phosphatase is used as a tumor marker.3,4. Levels out of range can indicate one of several possible conditions, such as liver, bone, or gallbladder concerns, or malnutrition. Align your health hacks with your genes for optimal health & cognitive function. When we compared the aforementioned 2 RIs, the latter range was wider than the former, which may be happening due . Malnutrition has been reported to relate to low values, but in practice, diseases causing malnutrition relate often to high alkaline phosphatase results (eg, disseminated neoplasia). Ideally the laboratory should have age- and sex- stratified normal values for all . Author links open overlay panel Tahmina Mujtaba a 1, Steve S.W. Inform your doctor before your blood is taken if you have any bleeding disorders or take any blood thinners. [Clin. Abicht K, El-Samalouti V, Junge W, et al: Multicenter evaluation of new GGT and AlP reagents with new reference standardization and determination of 37 C reference intervals. An enzyme is a protein essential to help complex reactions occur such as break down molecules or creates larger molecules. They also can vary with age and sex. ALP is an enzyme found in your bloodstream. Lowe D, et al. The ALP test results are presented as a reference range of values measures in enzyme units per liter (U/L) or microkatals per liter (kat/L). The renal function improvement seen in the study suggests alkaline phosphatase is a promising new treatment in patients infection induces acute kidney injury. The enzyme interacts with the gut, the food we eat, and the microbes found in our body. for updated normal ranges. Concise Book of Medical Laboratory Technology: Methods and Interpretations. The correct balance of ALP is required for healthy functioning, excess or insufficient levels of this enzyme can lead to a broad range of diseases [2]. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Alkaline phosphatase: An overview. If malnutrition is responsible, the person may need supplements and should have a healthy diet rich in: If an infection is responsible for abnormal ALP levels, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics or other antimicrobial medications. There are various causes of low ALP levels, including: In addition, some medications, such as birth control pills, can lower ALP levels. Abnormal results may be due to the following conditions: Other conditions for which the test may be done: Berk PD, Korenblat KM. . (Press Enter or Space to Go to Landing Page or Press Down to expand Menu), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Combatting Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement. Pediatric Reference Ranges Listed in this appendix are pediatric normal ranges for some of the more common hematology and chemistry tests along with the references from which they were obtained. It may be one of many tests in a liver panel, for example. Eating can interfere with your ALP levels. Drugs estrogens (large doses), birth control agents, methyltestosterone, phenothiazines, oral hypoglycemic agents, erythromycin, or any drug producing hypersensitivity or toxic cholestasis. Many types of alkaline phosphatase exist in the body. Similar symptoms can occur with gallbladder diseases. 2018;7:2. doi:10.4172/2167-0889.1000228. The ALP isozyme test can distinguish between the bone and liver ALP. What is the range for alkaline phosphatase? . 25th ed. Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that helps fight off bad bacteria in the gut. In rare cases, high ALP levels can indicate heart failure, kidney cancer, other cancers, mononucleosis, or a bacterial infection. Serum intestinal ALP level increases in these individuals about two hours following consumption of a fatty meal. Accommodations. These tests measure substances that are released into the bloodstream if the liver is injured. Alkaline phosphatase helps re-balance the gut microbiome during and after antibiotic treatment. High levels of ALP are normally seen in children undergoing growth spurts and in pregnant women. An alkaline phosphatase level test (ALP test) is a simple test to perform. Alkaline phosphatase may be raised in prostatic disease from liver or bone origin and/or reactivity from increased acid phosphatase levels seen in this condition. Moss DW, Henderson RA. Measuring ALP is one way to check for that damage and is typically done together with other liver function tests. Hyperparathyroidism, in some patients. Blood pressure. The normal range is 44 to 147 international units per liter (IU/L) or 0.73 to 2.45 microkatal per liter (kat/L). Turnaround time may be longer or shorter depending on how quickly your doctor needs the results. Admission. In that case you must use the respective reference tables. What causes a high level of ALP in a blood test? Your doctor may want to find the source of high ALP levels, or explain why ALP is low. Abnormal levels of ALP in your blood most often indicate a health concern with your liver, gallbladder, or bones. World-class docs Another type of intestinal alkaline phosphatase might complement brain health by reducing inflammation and balancing the good bacteria in the gut [5]. Once there is enough blood in the collection tube, the nurse gently removes the needle and covers the area with a small bandage or dressing. The best way to know what is normal or not is to discuss the results with your doctor, who will be able to interpret the labs specific result and reference ranges. Learn more about the foods and drinks that are good for liver health here. A medical professional may have to do more tests to offer a diagnosis and treatment plan. Version 5.0.Published: November 27, 2017. It is most abundant in the bones, liver, kidneys, and intestines. ALP is produced mainly by the liver and bones but is also synthesized in smaller quantities by the intestines and kidneys. Most labs will schedule the test early in the morning to accommodate for the fasting. P2.5-P97 reference ranges for alkaline phosphatase in healthy boys. Frustrated by the lack of good information and tools, Joe decided to embark on a learning journey to decode his DNA and track his biomarkers in search of better health. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level gives more information when it is studied along with the GGT (Gamma-glutamyltransferase) blood test: A low level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the blood may be due to: The following values are considered to be normal values: IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in U/L. On their own, abnormal ALP values are not diagnostic but can provide a clue as to the underlying cause. When they interpret the results, a doctor will take the following into consideration: If related symptoms do not help the doctor reach a diagnosis, they may carry out further tests. Turn off your ad blocker to continue reading. The normal range of alkaline phosphatase in the blood is 20 to 140 U/L. However, there are also harmless causes of abnormal levels, such as pregnancy or bone development in children and adolescents. Increase tends to be more notable (greater than 4-fold the upper reference value [URV]) in extrahepatic obstruction (eg, by stone, by cancer of the head of the pancreas) than in intrahepatic obstruction and is greater the more complete the obstruction. Bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) is the bone-specific isoform of alkaline phosphatase. The enzyme is sensitive to obstructive biliary processes, even small secondary bile duct obstruction, and thus may be increased in those patients when the bilirubin is normal due to compensatory bilirubin excretion by the rest of the liver. All rights reserved. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. C peptide. Looks like youre visiting Benioff Children's Hospitals on Internet Explorer. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please leave a comment or contact us at support@selfdecode.com. 2. Alkaline phosphatase is used as a tumor marker. Serum enzyme activities may reach 10 to 12 times the URV and usually return to baseline on surgical removal of the obstruction. Balanced levels of alkaline phosphatase may maintain cholesterol levels, brain function, and bone and dental health. A blood test can be done to measure the level of ALP. 1. Copyright 2019 A.D.A.M., Inc., as modified by University of California San Francisco. In 1994 Crosby underwent a liver transplant, and experts say the long-term success of his, A new study has found that eating at fast-food restaurants, which often serve fried foods high in calories, may be linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver. Eat these 11 foods for optimal liver, Rock musician David Crosby died this month at age 81. 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