What is this test?
ALP is an enzyme found in the liver, bile ducts and bones. It rises in liver and bile duct diseases and in conditions with increased bone formation; it can also be normally high in growing children and during pregnancy.
When is it requested?
Liver, bile duct and bone diseases, and bone metastases
What does a high ALP result mean?
A high ALP can come from the liver and bile ducts or from bone; it is also normally higher in children, teenagers and during pregnancy.
- Growing children and teenagers (bone growth)
- Pregnancy, especially the final months (from the placenta)
- Healing of a bone fracture
- Vitamin D deficiency and bone softening
- Gallstones or blocked bile ducts
- Liver diseases or certain medicines
- Less commonly, Paget's disease, parathyroid or other bone-related disorders
What does a low ALP result mean?
A low ALP is uncommon and is usually related to nutrition or hormones; rarely it can point to an inherited bone disorder.
- Blood collected in the wrong tube type (falsely low result)
- Malnutrition, zinc or magnesium deficiency
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Recent blood transfusion or heart surgery
- Pernicious anemia
- Rarely, Wilson disease or inherited hypophosphatasia
My result is outside the reference range. What should I do?
To tell whether a rise comes from the liver or bone, your doctor may check additional tests such as GGT. Age, growth and pregnancy affect the result, so your situation matters.
Reference ranges depend on the method, age and sex; always use the range printed on your report. This information is for general guidance only; consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Sample information
- Sample type: Serum
- Tube / container: Red / yellow-top tube
- Sample volume: 1 mL
Preparation
Serum (Sample must be collected fasting.)
Testing and results
- Method: Spec
- Run schedule: Daily
- Turnaround time: 3 hours
Price and appointment
Add the test to your list to receive a price quote by e-mail, or call +90 850 640 07 30 / message us on WhatsApp (+90 537 301 22 14). You can have the test done at our branches or with our home blood collection service. Results can be viewed online with your Turkish ID number (or passport number for foreign nationals).