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What is Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in Blood Test? What is High and Low Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Value? Causes & Treatment?

Updated: Jun 18, 2024

  • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in blood test is a test that measures the number of alkaline phosphatase in your blood.

  • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme and is involved in the breakdown of proteins. Each part of the body produces different types of ALP. Most ALPs are found in the liver, bones, kidneys and digestive tract.

  • High Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) levels may indicate liver damage, bile duct obstruction, or certain bone diseases.

ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) in blood test is a test that measures the number of ALP in your blood. ALP is an enzyme and is involved in the breakdown of proteins. Each part of the body produces different types of ALP. Most ALPs are found in the liver, bones, kidneys and digestive tract. High ALP levels may indicate liver damage, bile duct obstruction, or certain bone diseases. The normal ALP value in a blood test is 44 to 147 units per liter (IU/L) or 0.73 to 2.45 microkatal per liter (µkat/L). High ALP in blood test is a value above 147 units per liter (IU/L). If the ALP value is high in the blood test, it means that there are problems and metabolic changes in the tissues where it is concentrated. Low ALP in a blood test is a value below 44 units per liter (IU/L). Low ALP is less common than high ALP. Low ALP does not always indicate a problem. However, sometimes it can be a sign of a serious illness. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is a very important enzyme for bone regeneration and growth. If alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels are low, it can cause bones to weaken and break more easily. It can also cause premature tooth loss and liver diseases. Therefore, its treatment should not be neglected.
What is ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) in Blood Test? What is High and Low ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)Value? Causes & Treatment?

What is ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Isoenzyme Test?

  • The ALP isoenzyme test is a laboratory test that measures the amounts of different types of ALP in the blood.

  • ALP has several different structural forms called isoenzymes. The structure of the enzyme depends on where it is produced in the body. General ALP test results cannot tell which type of ALP is high. However, it is possible to detect this with the ALP isoenzyme test. This test is most often used to test ALP in liver and bone tissues.


What is A Normal ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Value in Blood Test ?

The normal ALP value in a blood test is 44 to 147 units per liter (IU/L) or 0.73 to 2.45 microkatal per liter (µkat/L). Normal value ranges may vary depending on age and gender. Additionally, high ALP levels may be seen in growing children and pregnant women. Additionally, reference values may vary slightly between laboratories. The reference values at which the test was performed should be taken into account.


What is High ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Value in Blood Test?

  • High ALP in blood test is a value above 147 units per liter (IU/L).

  • If the ALP value is high in the blood test, it means that there are problems and metabolic changes in the tissues where it is concentrated.


What Causes High ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) in Blood Test?

Growth: During periods when children's growth rate is high, slight increases in ALP may be observed as bone metabolism increases.

Pregnancy: Since the placenta is one of the tissues that produces ALP, high ALP amount can be detected in a healthy individual in case of pregnancy.

Fractures: Since breaking bones means a serious acceleration of bone metabolism along with the healing process, ALP increases significantly.

Bone diseases: ALP increases excessively in diseases that directly target bones and bone metabolism, such as Paget's disease.

Gallbladder stones: Serum ALP level increases in cases where the gallbladder or bile ducts develop stones and are blocked by stones.

Liver diseases: An increase in the amount of ALP is observed in serious diseases of the liver such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Vitamin D deficiency: Insufficient vitamin D intake during the growth period in children results in rickets and bone growth is seriously negatively affected. Vitamin D deficiency seen in adulthood results in osteomalacia. As a result, the strength and durability of bones decrease. In both cases, serum ALP level increases.

Infections: The amount of ALP increases in direct infections of bone tissues or biliary tract. In addition, ALP may be slightly elevated in viral infections such as mononucleosis.

Bone tumors: An increase in the amount of ALP occurs in tumors of the bone tissue itself or when various cancers spread to the bone.

Parathyroid gland diseases: Especially in case of intense hormone secretion from the parathyroid gland, bone metabolism accelerates and increases the amount of ALP.

Kidney failure: Since the removal of various harmful substances from the body decreases in chronic kidney diseases, bone metabolism is negatively affected and ALP increases.

Heart failure: In cases where the heart cannot pump adequately, the amount of ALP may increase as the internal organs are negatively affected.

Drug side effects: Drugs such as acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage, can cause an increase in ALP.


High ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Symptoms

Signs of high alkaline phosphatase may cause the following symptoms:

  • Diarrhea

  • Jaundice

  • Bone pain

  • Stomach ache

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Loss of appetite

  • Limited joint movements

  • Weight loss

  • Fatigue and weakness


How to Treat High ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Level?

Treatment for high ALP depends on the underlying cause. Vitamin and mineral supplements can be given when alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels are high due to bone problems. Surgical intervention may be required in cases of fractures or bone tumors. If alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is high due to obstruction and inflammation of the bile duct, treatment methods such as medication supplements and changes in nutrition can be applied. When drug-induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increases, it may be recommended to discontinue the drug or reduce its dose.


What is Low ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) in Blood Test?

  • Low ALP in a blood test is a value below 44 units per liter (IU/L).

  • Low ALP is less common than high ALP. Low ALP does not always indicate a problem. However, sometimes it can be a sign of a serious illness.

  • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is a very important enzyme for bone regeneration and growth. If alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels are low, it can cause bones to weaken and break more easily. It can also cause premature tooth loss and liver diseases. Therefore, its treatment should not be neglected.


What Causes Low ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) in Blood Test?

  • Hypophosphatasia

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Malnutrition

  • Pernicious anemia

  • Protein deficiency

  • Wilson disease

  • Zinc deficiency


Low ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Symptoms

  • Low alkaline phosphatase (ALP) may show some symptoms:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

  • Weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite

  • Weakness in muscles

  • Nausea

  • Blood pressure imbalance

  • Abdominal pain or swelling


How to Treat Low ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Level?

Treatment of low ALP varies depending on the underlying cause. Once the underlying problem is identified, treatment is tailored accordingly. To treat low ALP, your doctor may adjust your diet. This diet may include foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin B6, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. Staying away from smoking and alcohol and regular exercise will contribute positively to your health.

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