The ALKP blood test is ordered to measure the the levels of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme, that is in the blood. It is an enzyme that is primarily made in the liver, but the bones, intestines, and kidneys also contribute to the overall amount of ALKP that is in the blood. Women who are pregnant will have naturally higher levels of this enzyme because the placenta will also create it.
There are times when the body will naturally have higher than normal levels of ALKP. When rapid bone growth occurs, such as when a child enters a growth spurt, is the most common cause of having high levels of this enzyme. A common adult cause of high ALKP levels is a deficiency in Vitamin D. It may also be ordered if your doctor suspects that you may be suffering from a bone disease, liver disease, or hyperparathyroidism, which affects how much calcium is in the blood.
Cancers that have spread to the bones may also generate high ALKP levels.
Why Is the ALKP Blood Test Ordered?
This particular blood test is typically ordered because a person’s symptoms suggest that there may be something wrong. Someone suffering from frequent stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or jaundice may be suffering from liver disease and the ALKP blood test can confirm this result. A common reason for ordering this test is to determine liver functioning when medications that may damage the liver are regularly being taken.
Bone problems can also be detected with this particular blood test. If you have been diagnosed with Paget’s disease or have a bone cancer that is being treated, the ALKP blood test will be used to monitor how effective a treatment plan is working.
In rare cases, where individuals are struggling with bone growth issues, this blood test may also be ordered to confirm a diagnosis.
What Needs To Be Done For This Test?
The ALKP blood test is considered to be a routine blood test. Because of this, there are no special rules or orders that must be followed if it has been requested. If, however, your doctor is ordering a follow-up ALKP blood test in order to measure specific results, you may be asked to fast for up to 10 hours before the test. This is because enzyme levels typically rise after eating, especially when fatty foods are consumed, and then naturally lower after the digestion cycle.
It is also important to note that several medications may affect the results of this test. Make sure that you discuss with your doctor all of the different medications and supplements that you are taking, including herbal supplements, as they may have an effect on the overall results.
If you are taking antibiotics for an infection, your doctor will likely delay the ALKP blood test until after the presence of antibiotics has been eliminated from your system. If you take oral diabetes medication, then other blood tests may be requested. People who drink high levels of alcohol may be asked to stop for 7-14 days before the blood test is to occur.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
Normal values of ALKP are 25-100 U/L for adults and less than 350 U/L for children.
If your test results are very high, then this may indicate that you are suffering from liver problems. Hepatitis, a bile duct blockage, and gallstones can all produce very high results. Liver cancer or a metastasized cancer that has spread to the liver may also cause these results. Liver cirrhosis may also be a consideration.
If your results are classified only as “high,” then this is generally an indication that there is a bone disease or problem present. Bone tumors, rickets, or even the normal healing of a broken bone can also cause high results. Some benign bone tumors that are part of the regular aging process are also considered when results at this level are seen.
Higher values are also seen in women who are pregnant, when there is a serious infection present in the body, or after a heart attack has occurred. Kidney cancer may also be present to cause higher than normal levels of this enzyme.
If your results are considered to be too low as an adult, or under 25 U/L, then this can be an indication that malnutrition is present. This may cause your doctor to consider celiac disease or scurvy.
High results will often result in other tests being requested. If you have any questions about your ALKP blood test results, then be sure to take this information with you to your next appointment and ask questions about what your enzyme results mean for your health.