The Alkaline Phosphatase Test

 In Medical & Health

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in the human body. Enzymes are substances that aid various chemical reactions inside the body. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is present in many parts of the body and has different functions. But ALP is primarily found in the liver, bones, intestine and kidneys.

Alkaline phosphatase test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. Abnormal levels of ALP can be caused by liver problems and other types of health problems. The ALP test is usually recommended if the clinician suspects liver disease or a bone disorder to help diagnose the problem. As many conditions can affect ALP levels, it is common to test ALP along with other parameters. ALP test is usually part of a broader group of tests called liver function tests, which checks how the liver is working.

ALP is usually tested when there are signs of possible liver problems, such as nausea and vomiting, jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss. ALP test is also recommended when there are symptoms of a possible bone disorder such as bone pain.

Higher than normal levels of ALP may indicate liver damage or disease, such as hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), cirrhosis, cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) or blocked bile ducts (from a gallstone, inflammation, or cancer). The test can also help diagnose bone problems such as rickets, cancer tumors, unusual bone growth, or vitamin D deficiency.

While ALP levels alone are not sufficient to diagnose an underlying condition, they can be an important part of the diagnostic process. The degree of ALP elevation may reflect the type or severity of a condition.

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