The Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme present in most tissues of the body, but mostly found in the liver, bile ducts and bones. It can also be found in the intestinal membrane, the kidneys, or the placenta. This enzyme participates in what is called dephosphorylation, the process of removing phosphate groups from molecules.
There are a wide variety of types of alkaline phosphatase, called isoenzymes, which differ in structure and originate in different tissues, for example FA1 is from the liver and FA2 is from bone. In this way, it is possible to value them separately; its normal values in adults are between 30 and 140 IU / L. In this FastlyHealarticle we explain how to detect elevated alkaline phosphatase , its normal values and the causes that cause its increase.
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Diagnosis of elevated alkaline phosphatase and normal values
Alkaline phosphatase can be measured by a blood test , doctors often request it to evaluate certain problems or alterations in the liver and bones. For example, in the face of symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice, which can show liver disease or irregularities in the bones, a high alkaline phosphatase can be revealing. After the detection of these pathologies, blood tests are also usually carried out to verify if the treatment is working, since the alkaline phosphatase should be reduced.
These are the normal values of this enzyme according to age:
- Adults: 40 to 140 IU / L
- Children under 2 years: 85 to 235 IU / L
- Children between 2 and 8 years: 65 to 120 IU / L
- Children between 9 and 15 years: 60 to 300 IU / L
- Adolescents between 16 and 21 years: 30 to 200 IU / L
Phosphatase increases due to physiological causes
When we speak of physiological causes, we refer to those reasons that cause an increase in alkaline phosphatase without reason of disease or health disorders , among them the following stand out:
- Age : bones undergo a series of changes at certain ages. In children and adolescents, bone growth is continued so enzyme levels are usually high. The same occurs in those over 60 years of age, in which there is a bone involution and the levels increase.
- Pregnancy : the placenta produces alkaline phosphatase, so the levels in the body increase during pregnancy, usually around 125 to 250 IU / L. This increase occurs especially in the third trimester of pregnancy and should not be a cause for concern, since it is necessary in the process of developing the fetus.
- Familial benign hyperphosphatasemia : This occurs when an increase in alkaline phosphatase occurs in members of the same family without a clear reason or a causative disease. It occurs in very few cases and is hereditary in nature.
Increased phosphatase due to disease
The list of diseases that can cause increased alkaline phosphatase is extremely extensive, however these are the main and most common pathologies that cause it:
- Liver diseases : fatty liver, liver tumor, biliary obstruction, viral hepatitis , cirrhosis, cholestasis, cholecystitis or cholangitis.
- Bone diseases : bone fractures, bone metastases, rheumatoid arthritis , osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, cortical adrenal hyperfunction, rickets, osteomalacia, osteosarcoma or Paget’s disease.
- Tumors : lung, testicular, ovarian, prostate, laryngeal, pancreatic, gastric, colon / rectum, or leukemia.
- Congestive heart failure and myocardial, pulmonary or renal infarcts.
- Overuse of antibiotics or certain medications such as antiepileptics, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatories.
- Excessive use of oral contraceptives.
- Alcohol or tobacco abuse.
The diagnosis of this condition is very useful to detect a multitude of pathologies. The extensive list of causes demonstrates the importance of normal levels of alkaline phosphatase to ensure a healthy life. In this way, if, after a blood test, these values are altered, it is best to consult a specialist to diagnose the possible causes of this condition.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.