Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

and liver.

ALP is an enzyme, a marker of bone growth located on the plasma membrane of osteoblasts (cells of the body responsible for the synthesis of bone tissue).

and in the liver.

Although in lower concentrations, alkaline phosphatase is also present in the intestinal cells, kidneys and placenta of pregnant women.
The alkaline phosphatase is measured to determine its circulating levels. This allows for screening or monitoring of bone or hepatobiliary diseases, as well as assessing whether ongoing therapies are effective.

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This test is used to diagnose liver (especially biliary tract) and bone diseases, track their progression or evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic treatment.
The doctor prescribes the ALP test:

• As part of the liver function tests that are performed routinely (bilirubin, AST and ALT transaminases);
• When the patient presents with symptoms of a liver disorder (weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling and / or pain, jaundice, dark urine and pale stools, etc.) or bone (bone and / or joint pain, deformations and predisposition to fractures).