What Do Abnormal ALP Levels Mean?

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme that the body uses for a wide range of processes. Using an ALP test, it is possible to measure how much of this enzyme is circulating in a person's blood.

Slightly irregular ALP levels are usually no cause for concern. However, severely abnormal levels can signify a severe underlying medical condition, typically one relating to the liver, bones, or gallbladder.

In this article, we look at the ALP test in more detail and explain what it involves, how to prepare for it, and what the results may mean.

What is an ALP test?

An ALP test is a simple procedure that measures the amount of ALP in the blood. ALP is an enzyme that is present in most parts of the body but is most abundant in the bones, liver, kidneys, gallbladder, and intestines.

Doctors will often request that a routine blood test includes an ALP test. They will also specifically order an ALP test if they think a person has a condition affecting any of the following:

·bones

·liver

·gallbladder

·kidney

·intestines

What is a normal ALP level?

The ALP level in healthy adults should be 20–140 units per liter (U/L).

Children tend to have significantly higher levels of ALP than adults because their bones are still growing. A person recovering from a bone injury may also have a raised ALP level in the 3 months after the injury while their bone heals.

It is also common to have higher ALP levels than usual during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

However, everyone's natural ALP level will be a bit different. After an ALP test, a doctor will be able to explain what it means if the ALP level is higher or lower than they would expect.