Siddique A, Kowdley KV. Approach to a patient with elevated serum alkaline phosphatase. Clin Liver Dis. Hansen YBL. Recommendations on measurement units - why and how. Liver function tests in normal pregnant women. J Liver. Lowe D, John S. Alkaline phosphatase. Updated December 21, Clinical, biochemical and genetic spectrum of low alkaline phosphatase levels in adults. Eur J Intern Med. Liver function tests. In: StatPearls. Updated July 4, Masrour Roudsari J, Mahjoub S. Quantification and comparison of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase with two methods in normal and Paget's specimens.
Caspian J Intern Med. Updated July 30, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. What It Is. ALP Testing.
Other Blood Tests. What Are Liver Function Tests? What Does a Medical Pathogist Do? Frequently Asked Questions What is the normal range of alkaline phosphatase? What causes a high level of ALP in a blood test? Was this page helpful? There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
High alkaline phosphatase levels may mean there is damage to your liver or that you have a type of bone disorder. Liver damage creates a different type of ALP than bone disorders do. If the test results show high alkaline phosphatase levels, your health care provider may order additional tests to find out where the extra ALP is coming from.
High alkaline phosphatase levels in the liver can indicate:. There are several other types of blood tests that check your liver function. If these results are normal and your alkaline phosphatase levels are high, it may mean the problem is not in your liver. Instead, it can indicate a bone disorder, such as Paget's Disease of Bone , a condition that causes your bones to become abnormally large, weak, and prone to fractures. Moderately high levels of alkaline phosphatase may indicate conditions such as Hodgkin lymphoma , heart failure , or a bacterial infection.
Low levels of alkaline phosphatase may indicate hypophosphatasia, a rare genetic disease that affects bones and teeth. Low levels may also be due to a deficiency of zinc or malnutrition. To learn what your results mean, talk to your health care provider. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
ALP levels can vary for different groups. Pregnancy can cause higher than normal ALP levels. Children and teens may have high levels of ALP because their bones are growing.
Certain drugs, such as birth control pills, may lower ALP levels, while other medicines can cause the levels to increase. Someone having an ALP test will usually need to fast for 10—12 hours before the test. As such, most people prefer to have their test first thing in the morning.
Several medications, such as birth control pills and anti-epileptic drugs, can interfere with ALP levels. Therefore, anyone having the test should tell the doctor about any medications and herbal supplements they are taking.
Once they find a suitable vein, the nurse will swab the area with alcohol then insert a small needle into the vein. They will then attach a plastic tube to the end of the needle and draw some blood. Once there is enough blood in the collection tube, the nurse will gently remove the needle and cover the area with a small bandage or dressing.
If the person needs other blood tests at the same time, the nurse may have to fill multiple collection tubes. ALP tests have few complications, aside from some minor bleeding or bruising at the needle insertion site. Most people do not feel any pain or discomfort during or after the test, other than a slight prick when the needle enters the arm.
Occasionally drawing blood can lead to inflammation around the vein or tissues in the inner elbow. Applying a warm compress and gentle pressure to the site for 20—30 minutes can help to relieve this. If the inflammation remains for more than a few hours after the blood test or gets worse, it is best to seek medical attention.
Most people with abnormal ALP levels have high, rather than low, levels. The most common causes of high ALP levels include:. If related symptoms do not help the doctor reach a diagnosis, they may carry out further tests. These may include tests to determine which type of ALP enzyme is raised in the blood.
Each part of the body makes a distinct type of ALP enzyme. If a person has raised ALP levels but the results of other liver tests are normal, the problem may not be with their liver. It may be that their bones are affected. The doctor may use imaging tests to diagnose bone disorders. Slightly abnormal ALP levels are generally no cause for concern as ALP levels naturally fluctuate during the day and vary from person to person.
People with malnutrition should adjust their diet accordingly or take supplements. They should take care to include the following foods in their diet:. For infections, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics or other antimicrobial medications.
0コメント