Alkaline Phosphatases (ALP) form a group of non-specific enzymes that hydrolyse a wide variety of ester orthophosphates under alkaline conditions. The total alkaline phosphatase activity represents several molecular forms or isoenzymes derived from a variety of human tissue sources. The biliary canaliculi of the liver, osteoblasts of bone, intestinal mucosa and the placenta are sources of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes. Additional isoenzymes are associated with specific benign and malignant disorders.
An elevated total serum alkaline phosphatase is often one of the first biochemical abnormalities to be encountered in clinical investigation. Assessment of the isoenzyme fractions contributing to the elevated value gives valuable information in a variety of clinical conditions, such as hepatobiliary disease and bone disease.
No specific patient preparation is required for this test. The test can only be performed in serum (yellow or red top).
A qualitative report is provided. Reference range is not applicable.
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University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/
Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.
For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database
For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962