Alkaline Phosphatase
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Alkaline Phosphatase
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Test Overview
An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test measures the amount
of the
enzyme ALP in the blood. ALP is made mostly in the
liver 
and in bone with some made in the
intestines and
kidneys . It also is made by the
placenta of a pregnant woman.
The liver makes more ALP than the other organs or the bones. Some conditions cause large amounts of ALP in the blood. These conditions include rapid bone growth (during puberty), bone disease (osteomalacia or Paget's disease), or a disease that affects how much calcium is in the blood (hyperparathyroidism), or damaged liver cells.
If the ALP level is high, more tests may be done to find the cause.
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Last Updated:
July 28, 2008- Author:
- Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
- Medical Review:
- Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
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