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ALP Test
ALP Test
ALP Test
Alkaline Phosphatase
What is an Alkaline Phosphatase Test?
An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test measures the amount of ALP in your blood. ALP is an enzyme found in many
parts of your body. Each part of your body produces a different type of ALP. Most ALP is found in your liver, bones,
kidneys, and digestive system.
Abnormal levels of ALP in your blood may be a sign of a wide range of health conditions, including liver disease
[https://medlineplus.gov/liverdiseases.html] , bone disorders [https://medlineplus.gov/bonediseases.html] , and
chronic kidney disease [https://medlineplus.gov/chronickidneydisease.html] . But an alkaline phosphatase test alone
can't identify the source of ALP in your blood, so other tests are usually needed to make a diagnosis.
An alkaline phosphatase test may also be ordered if you have symptoms of liver damage or a bone disorder.
Symptoms of liver disease include:
If your test results show high ALP levels, your provider may order other tests to help figure out what's causing the
problem. These tests may include:
An ALP isoenzyme test. This test can tell which part of your body is making the ALP. But this test may not
available everywhere.
Liver function tests. If the results of these tests are also high, then your high ALP level is likely from a
problem in your liver.
High alkaline phosphatase levels from your liver may be a sign of:
If alkaline phosphatase levels are high and the results of liver tests are normal, the problem may be a bone disorder,
such as Paget's disease of bone [https://medlineplus.gov/pagetsdiseaseofbone.html] . This disease makes your
bones unusually large and weak, causing them to break more easily.
Moderately high levels of ALP may be a sign of a many different types of conditions, including Hodgkin lymphoma
[https://medlineplus.gov/hodgkinlymphoma.html] , heart failure [https://medlineplus.gov/heartfailure.html] , or certain
infections.
It's possible to have higher than normal levels of ALP and not have a medical condition that needs treatment. Your
provider will consider your symptoms, medical history, and other test results to make a diagnosis.
Low levels of ALP are less common. They may be a sign of a lack of zinc, malnutrition
[https://medlineplus.gov/malnutrition.html] , pernicious anemia, thyroid disease
[https://medlineplus.gov/thyroiddiseases.html] , Wilson disease [https://medlineplus.gov/wilsondisease.html] or
hypophosphatasia, a rare genetic disease that affects bones and teeth.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results [https://medlineplus.gov/lab-
tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/] .
Is there anything else I need to know about alkaline phosphatase test?
Many things can affect ALP levels. Pregnancy can cause higher than normal ALP levels. Children and teens may
have high levels of ALP because their bones are growing. Birth control pills and certain medicines may lower ALP
levels, while other medicines can cause the levels to increase. Even eating a fatty meal before an alkaline
phosphatase test may also cause a small increase in ALP.
References
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he-liver/diagnosing-liver-disease/]
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Epstein-Barr
Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis; [reviewed 2020 Sep 28; cited 2022 Feb 16]; [about 2 screens]. Available from:
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3. Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth's Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia:
Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Alkaline Phosphate; p. 35–6.
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7. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the
Risks Blood Tests; [cited 2022 Feb 16]; [about 16 screens]. Available from:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests [https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests]
8. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine: Genetics Home Reference [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services; hypophosphatasia; 2017 Mar 7 [last reviewed: 2018 March1; cited 2022 Feb 16]; [about 6 screens].
Available from: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/hypophosphatasia [https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/hypophosphatasia]
9. NIH National Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services; What Is Paget's Disease of Bone? Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of
Publications for the Public; [last reviewed 2019 Sept; cited 2022 Feb 16]; [about 9 screens]. Available from:
https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Pagets/pagets_disease_ff.asp [https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Pa
gets/pagets_disease_ff.asp]
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459201/ [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459201/]
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https://www.testing.com/tests/alkaline-phosphatase-alp/ [https://www.testing.com/tests/alkaline-phosphatase-alp/]
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Show references
Elastography [https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/elastography/]
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