Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

EPIC Test Name

ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE

EPIC Code

LAB112

Specimen Requirements

plasma
Minimum Volume:	0.5 mL
Collection:	Collect using standard laboratory procedures
Transport:	Room Temperature ASAP
Stability:	Room Temperature: 7 days at 15-25 degrees C Refrigerated: 7 days at 2-8 degrees C Frozen: 2 months at -15 to -25 degrees C
Container:	LIT-GRN
Rejection Causes:	Insufficient Sample Volume

Methods

Colorimetric Assay

Turnaround Time

Specimen	Turnaround Time	Frequency
plasma	Stat: 90 minutes Routine: 4 hours	24/7

Reference Ranges

Colorimetric Assay

Age	Male Range	Female Range	Unit
0 days up to 15 days	83-248 U/L	83-248 U/L	U/L
15 days up to 1 year	122-469 U/L	122-469 U/L
1 year up to 10 years	142-335 U/L	142-335 U/L
10 years up to 13 years	129-417 U/L	129-417 U/L
13 years up to 15 years	116-468 U/L	57-254 U/L
15 years up to 17 years	82-331 U/L	50-117 U/L
17 years up to 20 years	55-149 U/L	45-87 U/L
20 years up to 999 years	40-129 U/L	35-104 U/L

Clinical Indications

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) exists in multiple forms of 4 structural genotypes: (1) tissue-nonspecific types including the liver, bone, kidney, and others ALP (2) placental ALP, (3) intestinal ALP and (Germ cell ALP. The liver, bone, kidney ALP type is particularly important. Some divalent ions, e.g., Mg2+, are activators of ALP, and Zn2+ is a constituent ion. The correct ratio of Mg2+/Zn2+ ions is necessary to avoid displacement of Mg2+ and to attain optimal activity. Phosphate, borate, oxalate, and cyanide ions are inhibitors of ALP activity.

Common Synonyms

ALP

Performed

Lab
Chemistry - Community
Chemistry - Downtown
Verona Cancer Center

Interpretative Information

ALP increases with all forms of cholestasis, particularly with obstructive jaundice, hepatobiliary disease and bone disease associated with increased osteoblastic activity. ALP also elevates in diseases of the skeletal system, such as Paget disease, hyperparathyroidism, rickets and osteomalacia, as well as with fractures and malignant tumors. A considerable rise in ALP activity can be seen in children and juveniles due to osteoblast activity of bone growth.

CPT

84075

LOINC

6768-6

References

1. Panteghini M, Bais R. Serum enzyms: Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics 2012;22:565-98.
2. Moss DW: Alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes. Clin Chem. 1982;28:2007-16.
3. Teitelbaum JE, Laskowski A, Barrows FP: Benign transient hyperphosphatasemia in infants and children: a prospective cohort. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2011;24:351-3.

Contact Information

Chemistry - Downtown: (315)464-4460
Chemistry - Community: (315)492-5531
Verona Cancer Center: (315)473-3859