The alkaline phosphatase test is often used to study liver or bone diseases when signs and symptoms such as abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice or bone deformities and pain occur, for example.It may also be done as a routine exam, along with other tests, to evaluate liver health.
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme present in various tissues of the body, found in greater numbers in the cells of the bile ducts, which are ducts that drive bile from inside the liver to the intestine, making the digestion of fats, and in the bones, being produced by the cells involved in their formation and maintenance.
- Although in smaller numbers.
- Alkaline phosphatase is also present in the placenta.
- Kidneys and intestine and may therefore be elevated during pregnancy or in cases of kidney failure.
The alkaline phosphatase test is used to study liver or bone disorders and can identify its outcome:
Alkaline phosphatase may be elevated in liver problems such as
Obstruction of bile circulation, caused by gallstones or cancer, that block the ducts that carry bile to the intestine;
Hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or toxics;
Cirrosis, which is a disease that causes the destruction of the liver;
Eating fatty foods;
In addition, this enzyme can be very high in situations where there is an increase in bone formation activity, such as in certain types of bone cancer or in people with Paget’s disease, which is a disease characterized by abnormal growth of certain parts of the bone.more about Paget’s disease.
Mild changes may also occur during periods of healing of fractures, pregnancy, AIDS, intestinal infections, hyperthyroidism, Hodgkin lymphoma or even after a high-fat meal.
Alkaline phosphatase levels are rarely low, but this enzyme can be reduced in the following situations:
Hypophosphatasia, which is a genetic disease that causes bone deformities and fractures;
Malnutrition;
Magnesium deficiency;
Hypothyroidism;
Severe diarrhea;
Severe anemia.
In addition, some medications, such as birth control pills and hormone replacement medications used during menopause, can also cause a slight decrease in alkaline phosphatase levels.
The alkaline phosphatase test should be done when signs and symptoms of liver problems such as enlarged abdomen, pain on the right side of the abdomen, jaundice, dark urine, light stools, and generalized itching occur.
In addition, this test is also indicated for people who have signs and symptoms in their bones such as generalized bone pain, bone deformities, or who have suffered fractures.
The test can be done in a laboratory, where a health care professional takes approximately 5 ml of a blood sample from a vein in his arm, which is placed in a closed container, for analysis.
Reference values for alkaline phosphatase testing vary with age, due to growth:
Children and adolescents
During pregnancy, alkaline phosphatase blood values may be slightly altered, due to the baby’s growth and the fact that this enzyme is also present in the placenta.
In addition to this test, other enzymes in the liver, such as alanine aminotransferral, aminotransferral aspartate, gamma glutamil transpepfits and bilirubins, imaging tests or even liver biopsy, may also be examined.See how these reviews are made.