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ALP isoenzyme test

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Blood test
Blood test

Alternative Names    Return to top

Alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme test

Definition    Return to top

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a substance found in all body tissues. There are many different forms of ALP. Each type has a different chemical structure, called an isoenzyme -- its structure depends on where in the body it is produced. For example, liver and bone ALP isoenzymes look different.

The ALP isoenzyme test is a blood test that measures the amounts of different types of ALP.

See also: Alkaline phosphatase test

How the Test is Performed    Return to top

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to Prepare for the Test    Return to top

You should not to eat or drink anything for 10 to 12 hours before the test, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

Many drugs affect the level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood. Your health care provider may tell you to stop taking certain drugs before the test. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

How the Test Will Feel    Return to top

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed    Return to top

This test may be used to diagnose:

It may also be done to check liver function and to see how medicines you take may affect your liver.

Normal Results    Return to top

The normal value is 20 to 140 IU/L (international units per liter)

Adults have lower levels of ALP than children. Bones that are still growing produce higher levels of ALP. During some growth spurts, levels can be as high as 500 IU/L. For this reason, the test is usually not done in children, and abnormal results refer to adults.

The isoenzyme test results can reveal whether the increase is in "bone" ALP or "liver" ALP.

What Abnormal Results Mean    Return to top

Higher-than-normal ALP levels may indicate:

Lower-than-normal levels of ALP may indicate:

Risks    Return to top

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks may include:

Considerations    Return to top

This test is about 80% accurate for identifying the specific locations of cancers or disease. However, it is not a reliable screening test because levels may be high for unknown reasons and return to normal. Unless there are signs of a disease, higher-than-normal values of ALP in the Chem-20 test are not considered significant.

Update Date: 5/17/2007

Updated by: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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