Table of Contents
What if alkaline phosphatase is more than 1000?
Elevated alkaline phosphatase is a marker of cholestasis and suggests a reduction in bile flow. An elevation of alkaline phosphatase is seen in more than 90% of patients with cholestasis. It also is elevated in infiltrative disorders or fungal infections of the liver, often quite strikingly, with levels above 1000 U/L.
What is a concerning Alk Phos level?
The normal range is 44 to 147 international units per liter (IU/L) or 0.73 to 2.45 microkatal per liter (µkat/L). Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. They also can vary with age and sex. High levels of ALP are normally seen in children undergoing growth spurts and in pregnant women.
What happens if alkaline phosphatase is too high?
ALP is an enzyme found throughout the body, but it is mostly found in the liver, bones, kidneys, and digestive system. When the liver is damaged, ALP may leak into the bloodstream. High levels of ALP can indicate liver disease or bone disorders.
What does Alk Phos mean in a blood test?
Alkaline phosphatase (often shortened to alk phos) is an enzyme made in liver cells and bile ducts. The alk phos level is a common test that is usually included when liver tests are performed as a group. A high alk phos level does not reflect liver damage or inflammation.
What is alkaline phosphatase?
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme that’s found throughout your body. ALP blood tests measure the level of ALP in your blood that comes from your liver and bones, and it’s one of the tests included in a comprehensive metabolic panel. High levels of ALP in your blood may indicate liver disease or certain bone disorders.
What should I do if my alkaline phosphatase is high?
If your ALP level is high, your doctor may have you take another test, called an ALP isoenzyme test, to determine whether the alkaline phosphatase in your blood is coming from your liver or your bones.
What does high alkaline phosphatase mean in liver cancer?
High liver alkaline phosphatase levels are associated with bile duct obstruction and liver cancer. The presence of liver alkaline phosphatase in patients may indicate the presence of a tumor in the bile duct [ 17 ]. Alkaline phosphatase levels are frequently high in patients with metastatic colon cancer.