Alkaline Phosphatase

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Assay

Alkaline Phosphatase

Key Words

ALP, ALKP

Specimen Collection

Serum (brown), Plasma (orange)

Turnaround time

8hrs

Test indications

A rise in the alkaline phosphatase occurs with all forms of cholestasis, particularly with obstructive jaundice. It is also elevated in diseases of the skeletal system, such as Pagets disease, hyperparathyroidism, rickets and osteomalaecia, as well as with fractures and malignant tumours. A considerable rise in the alkaline phosphatase activity is sometimes seen in children and juveniles. It is caused by increased osteoblast activity following accelerated bone growth.

Interferences

EDTA (from FBC bottles) can cause falsely low results, please ensure the correct draw order is adhered to

Reference Range

Neonate: 70-380 U/L Infant to 16 yrs: 60-425 U/L Adult: 30-130 U/L

Analytical error

2.6%

Reference change value

16.3%

Minimum retesting interval

Liver function test requests made within 2 days of a previous request on a patient are intervened