About the test
Alkaline phosphatase is encountered in the liver, the bones, the intestines and the placenta. ALP value in blood accounts for the sum of its isoenzymes found in the aforementioned organs. ALP electrophoresis screens and analyzes each isoenzyme’s quantity in the different organs.
Sample
Venous blood
Preparation
Preferably 12 hours fasting prior to testing. Water is allowed.
Procedure
Venipuncture
Increased values
- Obstruction of bile ducts
- Bone metastases
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Calcium deficiency
- Hepatitis
- Hepatic cirrhosis
- Pregnancy
- Drugs (paracetamol, captopril, diltiazem, allopurinol, antibiotics, estrogens, salicylates, antiepileptics)
- Pancreatic head cancer
- Hepatic cancer
- Breast cancer
- Osteomalacia
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Paget’s disease
Decreased values
- Hypothyroidism
- Milk – alkali syndrome
- Placental insufficiency
- Celiac sprue
- Cystic fibrosis
- Hypophosphatemia
- Malnutrition
- Drugs (anticoagulants, contraceptives, hormone replacement treatment, propranolol, cinacalcet, fluorine, cyanides)
- Pernicious anemia
Additional information
ALP is normally (up to three times) elevated in children and adolescents due to bone growth. Its value also rises with age, especially in women.