Alkaline phosphatase - what will the analysis tell?

Almost all tissues of human organs have a group of enzymes - alkaline phosphatase. The highest concentration of them is in the placenta, bone tissue, liver and bile ducts. Increased activity of phosphatase may indicate the presence of certain diseases requiring immediate treatment.

What is alkaline phosphatase?

Considering this enzyme in more detail, it is necessary to tell about the role of alkaline phosphatase in the metabolism of fats, which requires an alkaline medium, hence the name of the enzyme. However, there are several types of enzyme, depending on its location:

• hepatic phosphatase (highest concentration in adults);
• bone (the highest in children);
• placental (high concentration in pregnant women);
• alkaline intestinal phosphatase;
• renal (this alkaline phosphatase in the blood is not observed, because it does not enter it unlike other species).

Analysis for alkaline phosphatase

In a number of cases and the appearance of some symptoms, an assay is prescribed, alkaline phosphatase at which it can be increased or decreased, which will lead to appropriate conclusions. Assign this analysis:

1. In the complex conduct of liver samples .
2. To control bone diseases during their treatment.
3. If the patient takes medications that promote the appearance of cholestasis (stagnation of bile, a violation of its production and excretion).
4. If there is an appearance of such symptoms: nausea, discoloration of feces, dark urine, vomiting, jaundice, loss of strength and rapid depletion.

What does alkaline phosphatase show in the blood test?

The question of what alkaline phosphatase shows is of interest to those who are not familiar with this concept or who are conducting the test for the first time. The level of enzyme is prescribed more often for the diagnosis of diseases of bones, biliary tract and liver. Increased alkaline phosphatase can also talk about the presence of very dangerous diseases: oncology of the testis, lymphogranulomatosis or malignant formations in the brain. However, there are a number of cases in which the analysis and conclusions based on the results obtained should be carried out taking into account some features.

1. With a lack of zinc in the diet, the concentration of the enzyme may increase, because this element is part of the phosphatase.
2. To conduct an analysis for children to identify problems with excretion of bile is useless, therefore, as a rule, an assay for 5'-nucleotidase is prescribed.
3. For control, the analysis for phosphatase should be carried out no more than once a week, because of its removal from the blood in 3-4 days.
4. The reason for the increase in elderly people is a decrease in bone mass.
5. Carrying out the analysis in the owners of the first and third blood groups, it is necessary to take into account that the level of intestinal phosphatase can be increased after taking fatty foods, therefore, blood sampling should be performed on an empty stomach.

Alkaline phosphatase - the norm

It is important to know that the alkaline phosphatase contained in the blood, the norm in women, men and children - is different. The content of the enzyme depends not only on sex, but also on age, which also need to be taken into account. Up to 16 years, the level of alkaline phosphatase concentration is always a bit high, and after this age it starts to decrease. Women have the following norm:

• up to 17 years - minimum: 46 units per liter; maximum: 119 U / l;
• from 17 to 45 years - a minimum of: 32 units / l; maximum: 100 units per liter;
• from 45 to 55 years - minimum: 35 units / l; maximum: 115 U / l;
• up to 70 years - the norm is 135 units / liter;
• after 70 years, the norm is 165 units / liter.

There are a number of reasons why this indicator can significantly increase, but not because of the presence of diseases:

• in the period of bearing of the child;
• in the period of HS;
• in the presence of avitaminosis;
• due to malnutrition;
• due to high physical exertion.

In men, this indicator is on average higher than the female one by 20-25 units / l, and with age, as in women it rises. The norm of alkaline phosphatase in the blood of men:

• from 17 to 30 years - up to 100 units / liter;
• from 30 to 45 years - up to 120 units / liter;
• from 46 to 64 years - up to 130 units / liter;
• from 55 to 70 years - up to 145 units per liter;
• from 70 years - up to 190 units / liter.

In young children, the enzyme concentration is higher than in adults and does not depend on sex. In adolescence, this difference becomes noticeable due to the different course of biochemical processes in the body. So, the norm in children and adolescents:

• in newborns and in the first two weeks of life: 83 - 248 units / l;
• from 2 weeks to a year: 122 - 469 units / l;
• from 10 to 13 years: 129 - 417 units / liter.

Alkaline phosphatase is increased - what does it mean?

What can mean if alkaline phosphatase is increased, you need to know to help a specialist in correct diagnosis and further treatment. The reasons for the high concentration of alkaline phosphatase will help to understand not only the cause of the appearance of unpleasant symptoms, but also to reveal the presence of ailments having a latent form. This will burn a highly qualified specialist.

Alkaline phosphatase is increased - the causes

When explaining the reasons for the increase in alkaline phosphatase, the most common groups should be identified, the first of which is associated with abnormalities in the liver and bile ducts:

• stones in the bile ducts;
• cholestasis;
• pathology of the liver, which can occur due to toxic poisoning and when taking medications;
• primary cholangitis;
• liver cancer;
• hepatitis (autoimmune and viral);
• infectious mononucleosis;
• jaundice (more often in women taking CCD with progesterone and estrogen content).

Pathological changes in bone tissues, in which alkaline phosphatase increases:

• Paget's disease (weakening of bones, their deformation and weakening);
• increase in metabolic processes during healing of fractures;
• softening of bones (calcium salts, vitamins and phosphoric acid are lost, which leads to deformation and softening of bones);
• Osteosarcoma and metastases penetrated into bone tissue.

Other ailments and causes if increased alkaline phosphatase in the blood, not associated with poor health and pathological processes:

• pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
• myocardial infarction;
• endocrine disease associated with impaired phosphoric metabolism and calcium metabolism - hyperparathyroidism;
• pregnancy;
• alcohol intoxication;
• therapy with drugs that have a hepatotoxic effect.

Alkaline phosphatase is increased - what should I do?

If the tests recorded an increase in alkaline phosphatase, the first thing that is necessary is to eliminate the underlying cause that triggered this jump. For example, with liver diseases to restore its functions, prescribe the use of hepatoprotector drugs and paint the correct diet. All measures taken should be prescribed by a doctor and carried out under his supervision.

Alkaline phosphatase is lowered - what does it mean?

If the tests showed that alkaline phosphatase is lowered, this may indicate that a dangerous disease is developing in the body. To properly carry out the diagnosis, some tests are not enough and you will need a comprehensive examination of such specialists:

• hematologist;
• surgeon;
• specialist in infectious diseases;
• gastroenterologist;
• general doctor.

Alkaline phosphatase reduced - the cause

In the vast majority of cases, decreased alkaline phosphatase happens for the following reasons:

• anemia in severe form;
• a critical shortage in the body of magnesium and zinc;
• genetic disease of achondroplasia (underdevelopment of bones, which causes dwarfism);
• transfusion of a large volume of blood;
• deficiency of B and C vitamins ;
• placental insufficiency;
• dystrophy due to lack of protein in the diet - kwashiorkor;
• hypothyroidism (low level of thyroid hormone production);
• cretinism;
• scurvy;
• hypophosphatase (a dangerous violation of mineralization of bone tissue).

Alkaline phosphatase is lowered - what to do?

If the analysis shows that low alkaline phosphatase, then it's dangerous to find the cause yourself, so you need to immediately contact a specialist. First, it can be a therapist who will determine how a narrow profile specialist should go further. After passing additional tests, the doctor should find the cause of the reduced concentration of AP and prescribe a treatment or refer it to a specialist in the field of the detected disease.

Alkaline phosphatase in pregnancy

During the period of gestation, the level of alkaline phosphatase may be higher without the presence of diseases provoking a jump in the level of the enzyme in the blood. It's all about the formation of the placenta, in which, as is well known, a high concentration of the enzyme. It is very important during pregnancy to regularly monitor the change in the level of alkaline phosphatase, so as not to lose sight of the moment when increasing or increasing the concentration of the enzyme indicates health problems.

Raising the level, as we have already seen, may indicate problems with the liver and bile ducts, pancreas, bone system. If alkaline phosphatase is lowered, then this may be the cause of poor placental development or its weakness, which may cause the article to terminate the pregnancy. This can happen because the placenta in such a state is not able to provide the fetus with all the necessary nutrients.