Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes
Understanding Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes
What is Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes?
The alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme test functions by identifying the tissue origins of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. The test is also helpful in diagnosing and treating liver, bone, intestinal, and parathyroid illnesses. The enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is present in a variety of body tissues, including the liver, bile ducts, bone, and gut. ALP comes in a variety of forms known as isoenzymes.
Elevated ALP levels can be caused by a hepatic obstruction, such as a stone in the liver or pancreatic cancer. The test is mainly conducted to diagnose certain diseases like chronic bone and joint pain, weak bones, and bone deformities. The medications for the elevated ALP levels are prescribed after ascertaining the disease behind such higher levels.
What is Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes used for?
- As a part of liver function test
- If you have signs or symptoms of a liver disorder like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, itching
- If you have signs or symptoms of bone disease like bone pain, increased frequency of fractures
Interpreting Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes results
Interpretations
- High Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) usually indicates either the liver has been damaged or there is bone disease
- Greatly increased ALP level may be associated with blockage of bile ducts as in gall stones or cancer and in Paget's disease of bones
- Moderately elevated level can be seen in liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis and in other conditions like ulcerative colitis, congestive heart failure, Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Low levels of ALP may be seen temporarily in blood transfusion or heart bypass surgery
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