Alkaline Phosphatase

ALP is an enzyme that occurs in various tissues such as liver, bone and bile ducts. The laboratory value measures the concentration of ALP in the blood and is used to assess liver and bone diseases.

An ALP test is recommended for: • People with symptoms of liver or biliary tract disease (e.g. jaundice, upper abdominal pain) • Patients suspected of having bone diseases such as osteoporosis, rickets or bone metastases • Monitoring of patients with known liver diseases or bile duct obstruction • Diagnosis and follow-up of tumor diseases affecting the liver or bones

The test serves the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases of the liver, bile ducts and bone. It is also helpful in clarifying the cause of unclear symptoms such as jaundice or bone pain.

Here is the translation: An elevated ALP value can indicate the following diseases: • Liver or biliary tract diseases such as cholestasis or hepatitis • Bone diseases such as osteomalacia, fractures or bone metastases Symptoms of elevated ALP can be: • Jaundice or itching with liver problems • Pain or fractures with bone diseases A low ALP value is rare and usually has no clinical significance, but can occur with malnutrition or hypothyroidism.

The testing can be carried out at any time of the day.

• ALP is often elevated in children and adolescents during growth, without the presence of a disease. • The value should be interpreted together with other parameters such as GGT or calcium to determine the cause of the elevation. • Medications such as corticosteroids or antiepileptics can influence the values.