Alkaline Phosphatase Levels, Discover 8 Causes Of High ALP

In this article, you will learn about the causes of high alkaline phosphatase levels in your blood. High ALP levels may lead to chronic liver disease or bone disorders. It is necessary to know the alkaline phosphatase levels in your blood. For this alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test is used. This test helps to screen and detect any problems in your liver or bone. This article will guide you about the importance of alkaline phosphatase and its levels.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is often known as a liver enzyme because mostly, it is present in your liver. An ALP enzyme is also available in many other parts of your body, including kidneys, bones, bile ducts, and intestines. The function of an enzyme is to speed the chemical process in your body and work as a catalyst. Many enzymes are available in your body for different body functions.

Two types of alkaline phosphatase generally exist: A general ALP, the most common test, and an isoenzyme test.

Need for an Alkaline Phosphatase Test

If you are dealing with liver problems or bone disorders, your healthcare provider may ask you to take an ALP test. Liver disease may show the following signs and symptoms in your body if it develops due to abnormal alkaline phosphatase levels:

• Weight loss without any effort
• Increase itching
• Loss of appetite
• Pee color changes to dark or/and passing light color stool (poop)
• Swelling or/and pain in the abdominal (belly), specifically on your right side
• Nausea and vomiting
• Jaundice is a disease that changes your skins and eyes color to yellow
• Fatigue & Weakness
• Swelling in your ankles and legs

You may also need an ALP test if you have symptoms of bone disorders that are listed below:

• Developed bone fractures
• Pain in the bone or/and joint
• Arthritis and inflammation in your joints
• Abnormally structured bones or/and enlargement

You should order this test when you have liver or bone disease. If you want to book an online ALP test to see your alkaline phosphatase levels, visit here to get this test at a discounted price.

The Procedure of the Alkaline Phosphatase Test

You will visit the laboratory after placing an online order for an alkaline phosphatase test. An ALP test is a blood test that often requires your blood sample. Following are the steps that you should follow during the test.

• Your provider will ask you to sit and relax.
• Remove the part of your cloth from one of your arms.
• A provider will inject a small needle into a vein in your arm to collect your blood into a test tube.
• The blood sample will be stored in the laboratory for examination.
• After providing the blood sample, you may resume your daily activities
• An ALP test does not last longer than five minutes.
• Depending on the type of laboratory, you will receive the test result within 1–2 days.

If you want to discuss your test result with a professional provider, you can take an e-consultation while sitting at home.

How do I need to prepare for the Alkaline Phosphatase Test?

You will need to consider the following things before going to take an ALP test:

• Inform your provider about specific medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are using.
• Fasting is not needed if you are going for only an ALP test. You can eat or drink before the test.
• You may need to fast (avoid eating or drinking) for several hours if your provider asks for additional blood tests.
• You should avoid taking the medication without consulting with your doctor.

Normal Alkaline Phosphatase Level

The normal alkaline phosphatase level lies between 44 to 467 international units per liter (IU/L). According to some institutions, the value ranges from 30 to 120 IU/L. ALP test results may depend on factors such as gender, age, medical history, family history, and others. It is also possible that the test results may also slightly change among laboratories. It is because each lab may use different references for measurements.

Causes of High Alkaline Phosphatase Levels

If you have experienced high alkaline phosphatase levels in your liver, it results due to:

• Hepatitis — It is the inflammation of the liver that has many different types.
• Cholestasis of pregnancy — A most frequent condition occurs in pregnancy in the late stage.
• Cirrhosis of the liver — A liver disease happens in the late stage. In this disease, scar tissue replaces the healthy liver tissue then the liver stops working properly.
• Mononucleosis — A rare condition that can cause swelling in your liver.
• Biliary stricture — A condition in which the reduction or contraction of the bile duct occurs.
• Biliary atresia — An uncommon disease in which blockage occurs in the ducts (tube) that possess bile from your liver to your gallbladder.

You may have high alkaline phosphatase levels in your blood due to the following reasons:

• Paget’s disease of the bone — It is also known as osteitis deform. An unpopular chronic bone disease can lead to breakdown and abnormal growth of the bones.
• Bone metastasis — A condition in which the bones contain cancer cells from different parts of your body.

Who Will Have Risks For High Alkaline Phosphatase Levels:

The high alkaline phosphatase levels may be found in the

• Children and those at puberty due to the growth and bone development.
• Men have slightly high alkaline phosphatase levels compared to women aged between 15 to 50 years
• If you are pregnant women
• ALP levels also increase with age.

What factors may affect the test results?

Some factors that may alter your test results include

• Birth control pills and some specific medicines.
• Pregnancy.
• Intake of diet.
• High ALP level in teens and children due to their growth of the bones.

Alkaline Phosphatase Test Cost

The alkaline phosphatase cost starts from $20 to $30. The prices may also vary on location, facility, and type of health insurance you have. Umbrella Health Care Systems offers an ALP test at a discounted price of 15$.

Conclusion:

An ALP is a liver enzyme often present in your liver. High alkaline phosphatase levels may lead to liver disease or bone disorders. You should take an ALP test if you experience the above symptoms.

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