Alkaline Phosphatase
Results
An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test measures the amount of the Reference enzyme Opens New Window ALP in the blood.
Normal
The normal values listed here—called a reference range—are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab.
| Adults: |
25–100 Reference units per liter (U/L) Opens New Window or 0.43–1.70 Reference microkats/liter (mckat/L) Opens New Window |
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| Children: |
Less than 350 U/L or less than 5.95 mckat/L |
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High values
- Very high levels of ALP can be caused by liver problems, such as Reference hepatitis Opens New Window, blockage of the bile ducts (obstructive jaundice), Reference gallstones Opens New Window, Reference cirrhosis Opens New Window, liver cancer, or cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the liver from another part of the body.
- High ALP levels can be caused by bone diseases, such as Reference Paget's disease Opens New Window, Reference osteomalacia Opens New Window, Reference rickets Opens New Window, bone tumors, or tumors that have spread from another part of the body to the bone, or by overactive Reference parathyroid glands Opens New Window (hyperparathyroidism). Normal healing of a bone fracture can also raise ALP levels.
- Reference Heart failure Opens New Window, Reference heart attack Opens New Window, Reference mononucleosis Opens New Window, or kidney cancer can raise ALP levels. A serious infection that has spread through the body (Reference sepsis) can also raise ALP levels.
- Women in the third trimester of pregnancy have high ALP levels because the placenta makes ALP.
Low values
Conditions that lead to malnutrition (such as Reference celiac disease Opens New Window) or are caused by a lack of nutrients in the diet (such as Reference scurvy Opens New Window) can cause low ALP levels.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference June 20, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
