Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

Test Details

What is this test?

The Alkaline Phosphatase test helps to screen, diagnose or monitor a wide range of liver and bone diseases and other relevant health conditions such as rickets, malnutrition, jaundice, cirrhosis, etc.

What does the test measure?

The ALP test measures the amount of alkaline phosphatase enzyme in your body.

How to prepare for the test?

No special preparation is usually necessary for the Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) test. However, your healthcare provider may ask you to fast for several hours before the test. The person will give special instructions to follow if required. During the test, you need to give a blood sample from a vein in your arm. Your blood will be collected in a test tube and go for the test. The process takes around five minutes.

What does the test result mean?

The ALP test result generally takes 1-2 days to come back from the lab. The reference range of the ALP level is approximately 44 to 147 international units per liter (IU/L) or 0.73 to 2.45 microkatal per liter (µkat/L). A higher ALP level than this range doesn’t necessarily indicate you have health problems. Children, teenagers, and pregnant women show higher levels than this value. Apart from that, the doctor may ask you to do follow-up tests to examine your health condition further.