Description
This article is from the Interpretation Of
Lab Test Profiles, by Ed Uthman uthman@neosoft.com with
numerous contributions by others.
17 ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (ALP)
Increased serum alkaline phosphatase is seen in states of
increased osteoblastic activity (hyperparathyroidism,
osteomalacia, primary and metastatic neoplasms), hepatobiliary
diseases characterized by some degree of intra- or extrahepatic
cholestasis, and in sepsis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease,
and thyrotoxicosis. Isoenzyme determination may help determine
the organ/tissue responsible for an alkaline phosphatase
elevation.
Decreased serum alkaline phosphatase may not be clinically
significant. However, decreased serum levels have been observed
in hypothyroidism, scurvy, kwashiokor, achrondroplastic
dwarfism, deposition of radioactive materials in bone, and in
the rare genetic condition hypophosphatasia.
There are probably more variations in the way in which alkaline
phosphatase is assayed than any other enzyme. Therefore, the
reporting units vary from place to place. The reference range
for the assaying laboratory must be carefully studied when
interpreting any individual result.
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