High level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood. Alkaline phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that ensures metabolic processes of calcium and phosphorus in organism. Detection of this substance in the blood may indicate the presence of certain diseases. High levels are quite common, which indicates problems with the liver, kidneys and bones. There are much fewer situations in which alkaline phosphatase is low, but they also indicate the presence of health problems. In what situations may this occur? low performance and what to do about it, we will consider further.

This biochemical indicator used to assess the condition of certain organs, and metabolic processes calcium and phosphorus. Alkaline phosphatase in the blood is determined using an analysis, the accuracy of the results of which can be affected by factors such as:

  1. Food intake - the analysis should be taken on an empty stomach, since the food consumed can cause an increase in the error in the study.
  2. Diet – fatty and fried food, providing increased load on the liver should be excluded. It is recommended to follow a diet 2-3 days before donating blood.
  3. Alcohol – alcoholic drinks provoke the formation of toxins, which causes the liver to work several times harder. For 3-4 days, any alcoholic drinks should be eliminated.
  4. Stress and lack good sleep and rest - overexertion can cause inaccuracies in the study, so before donating blood you should rest well and get enough sleep.
Some kind of preparation for analysis helps to obtain more reliable data, reducing the risks of possible errors.

What values ​​are considered low?

Blood alkaline phosphatase level may change with age, and also depends on gender. Therefore, low rates are appropriate to consider for certain categories of patients.

In men, the following analysis results are reduced:

  • 18-35 years – less than 45 units/l;
  • 35-45 years – less than 40 units/l;
  • 45-65 years – less than 38 units/l;
  • over 65 – less than 37.5 units/l.

For women, the following values ​​are considered deviations from the norm:

  • 18-25 years – less than 48 units/l;
  • 25-35 years – less than 45 units/l;
  • 35-45 years – less than 44 units/l;
  • over 45 years old – less than 40 units/l.
For seniors, over 66 years old bottom line rises significantly, accordingly low values are indicators that are below 150 units/l.

IN childhood ALP phosphatase is considered low at such levels:

  • newborns and children of the first year of life - less than 85 units/l;
  • 1-5 years – less than 68 units/l;
  • 5-10 years – less than 65 units/l;
  • 10-15 years – less than 80 units/l.
At the moment of bearing a child, the level of phosphatase increases several times, since in total enzyme, molecules synthesized by the placenta are added.

Therefore, during this period of time, it is important to ensure that phosphatase does not decrease, which can lead to the development negative consequences, both for the mother’s body and for the child.

Ask your question to a clinical laboratory diagnostics doctor

Anna Poniaeva. Graduated from Nizhny Novgorod medical academy(2007-2014) and Residency in Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (2014-2016).

An increase in alkaline phosphatase in the blood can be caused by: physiological changes in the body and serious illnesses. What are the symptoms of an increase in this enzyme and how to behave when receiving such an analysis?

Symptoms

On early stages changes in liver metabolism and the associated increase in alkaline phosphatase levels go unnoticed by the patient. Over time, the body gives signals about a change in condition. The first messengers are following symptoms:

Nausea;

Decreased appetite;

Fatigue and tiredness;

Weakness throughout the body;

Aching pain under the right rib;

Pain in bones and joints.

Similar clinical picture characteristic of many diseases, a biochemical blood test will accurately determine the level of alkaline phosphatase, but this will only direct the diagnostic search to in the right direction. There are many diseases that occur with increased alkaline phosphatase.

Preparing and conducting analysis

Alkaline phosphatase can also be elevated in healthy people. Such cases include:

  • Consumption of alcoholic beverages causing alcohol intoxication body;
  • Pregnancy, last trimester;
  • Medicines with hepatotoxic side effects.

What does it mean? First of all, before taking the test, you need to take measures to prepare the body. This is the only way to trust the results obtained. Such events include:

  • Abstinence from food for at least 8 hours;
  • Avoiding alcohol and alcoholic drinks from eating foods in 2-3 days;
  • Do not smoke 30 minutes before handing over the biomaterial;
  • Avoid physical strain, including sports, 24 hours before.
  • If you cannot stop taking medications, then you should report them. medical worker, which takes away the analysis. The attending physician should also be notified.

Blood will be taken from a vein for testing.

What causes the enzyme levels to increase?

The causes of elevated alkaline phosphatase may be natural or pathological.

Natural causes include:

Physiological characteristics of the body characteristic of a certain period of life (pregnancy);

Increase associated with external influence on the body (diet, physical activity, taking medications).

Alkaline phosphatase is elevated - causes that relate to physiological characteristics body:

Growth, development, puberty provoke an increase in alkaline phosphatase. When a certain age limit is reached, the level of enzyme in the blood begins to spontaneously fall. Moreover female body reaches this mark much earlier (up to 20 years) than men (up to 30 years);

Before birth, the baby in the womb develops and grows more actively. This process causes an increase in the concentration of placental alkaline phosphatase in the blood of the expectant mother;

IN postoperative period or in recovery period after significant fractures;

Medicines have an effect on the body different action. There are medications for long-term use in which alkaline phosphatase is elevated. These drugs include: antibiotics, contraceptives, paracetamol, aspirin, drugs with hepatotoxic effects;

Bad habits: smoking, alcohol;

Age characteristics. In children during active growth increased concentration enzymes in the blood. Similar situation It is also observed in women during menopause. In older people, bones become lighter and more brittle, and their blood alkaline phosphatase levels are higher than normal;

lack of physical activity;

Obesity;

Incorrectly selected diet. The menu is dominated by fatty, spicy and fried foods.

The level also increases with pathological changes in the cells of the placenta, liver, and bones. In order for enzyme molecules to enter the blood, liver and bone cells must be destroyed.

Pathological processes, the symptom of which is high alkaline phosphatase, can be divided into 3 categories:

Liver dysfunction and biliary tract problems. Such ailments include:

Viral and autoimmune hepatitis. Increase in alkaline phosphatase level approximately 3 times;

Cirrhosis. With the biliary type of the disease, the level of alkaline phosphatase can increase 4 times and remain at the reached limit;

Infectious mononucleosis;

Sclerosing cholangitis – chronic autoimmune disease, causing high pressure in the area of ​​the portal vein;

Stagnation of bile;

Blockage bile ducts stones. As a result, the outflow of bile is produced in small quantities or there is no exit at all.

Bone diseases:

Severe destruction and deformation (Paget's disease);

Cancer with metastases in bone tissue;

Osteomalacia is a systemic skeletal disorder in which the bone becomes deformed and soft. As a result, phosphoric acid, vitamins and calcium are excreted, and the bones of the skeleton soften;

Osteogenic sarcoma - a tumor forms and develops directly deep in the bone tissue;

Rehabilitation after fractures;

Diseases of a different nature:

Heart attack;

Ulcerative colitis - chronic inflammation colon mucosa;

Intestinal perforation is a through hole in the large intestine through which intestinal contents enter the abdominal cavity;

Hyperparathyroidism – pathological changes endocrine system, provoking intensive work of the parathyroid glands.

According to statistics, 50% of cases with high concentration alkaline phosphatase were provoked by liver diseases.

Features of increase in adults

There are a number of nuances that need to be taken into account when deciphering the results of an alkaline phosphatase blood test. First, in men the content of isoenzymes in the blood is always higher than in women. The difference is approximately 20-25 points. With age, the amount of alkaline phosphatase increases in everyone. This means that the concentration of this element depends on the age and gender of the person.

Most Popular natural causes high content enzymes in the blood of adults are:

The list of possible reasons for increased levels in women is supplemented by the following “moments”:

  • Pregnancy, the period before the birth of a baby;
  • Breast-feeding;
  • Climax;
  • Taking hormonal contraceptives. At long-term use complications in the form of diseases are possible, for example, cholestatic jaundice and intrahepatic cholestasis.

For more information about changes in phosphatase levels during pregnancy, read the article

Doctors recommend that even a healthy person undergo an annual blood biochemistry test. Among important indicators, which will be in the transcript of the results, it is worth paying attention to the ALP level. Experts call it key for assessing the health of the hepatobiliary system, bones and liver. A biochemical test of the blood of a pregnant woman or child can often show an increase in ALP (alkaline phosphatase) - this is physiological norm.

What is alkaline phosphatase

This term refers to a whole group of isoenzymes that are found in almost all human tissues, with the highest concentrations in the liver, biliary tract, bone tissue and placenta. Phosphatase, creating alkaline environment, splits phosphoric acid into salts (phosphates) with the release of phosphorus, which can penetrate the cell membrane. When cells containing the enzyme are destroyed, it enters the blood. Since cells are constantly renewed, there is always a certain level of enzyme concentration.

What does alkaline phosphatase show in the blood?

ALP activity is associated with processes in the liver, bile ducts, small intestine. Analysis of enzyme levels is very important in the diagnosis of liver pathologies, blockages bile ducts for gallstones and pancreatic tumors, primary biliary cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis. Increased activity bone tissue cells also affects the level of phosphatase in the blood, which is important in the diagnosis of primary or secondary bone tumors.

High

Increased activity of alkaline phosphatase (other medical abbreviations - ALP, ALKP) during pregnancy is considered normal, and in other cases, as a rule, indicates liver disease or pathological processes in the bones. Under such conditions, some related indicators become important for diagnosis. Thus, a parallel increase in the levels of bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is likely to indicate liver damage. Changes in the levels of minerals - calcium and phosphorus - will indicate pathology of bone tissue.

Low

Reduced level ALP enzyme is much less common than elevated. Such a result can be obtained by taking oral contraceptives, blood transfusion, lack of magnesium and zinc in the body. In addition, low levels of bone isoenzymes are the main indicator of hypophosphatasia, a rare genetic disease characterized by impaired bone formation. If the disease manifests itself in children (juvenile form), it is characterized by frequent fractures, rickets, tooth loss.

Analysis

The ALP level is determined by blood serum, often during biochemical analysis, sometimes separately. Blood is taken from a vein, the study is carried out on an empty stomach. Indications for analysis may include patient complaints of fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, vomiting or nausea, darkening of urine and lightening of stool, pain in the right hypochondrium, yellowing of the skin and sclera. Doctors of various profiles are referred for the study: therapists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, urologists, infectious disease specialists, hematologists.

Alkaline phosphatase level

The normal level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood is considered to be between 20 and 140 IU/l. This is an average value that varies greatly depending on the gender and age of the person. The most high performance are observed in children and adolescents during active growth, as they are constantly dividing bone tissue. In addition, doctors identify about 200 drugs, the use of which can change the activity of the liver isoenzyme and affect the analysis data (usually in the direction of increase).

In men

ALP indicators for men are given below (in young people under 30 years of age, the results may be slightly above the upper limit of normal; doctors do not classify this as a pathology):

Among women

An abnormal level of alkaline phosphatase, not associated with the disease, can be observed in women during the third trimester of pregnancy (the reason is the placental isoenzyme released into the blood), during breastfeeding, due to excessive physical activity. In other cases it is assumed next norm alkaline phosphatase in the blood of women:

In children

The most active periods growth occurs in the first year of life and transitional age. This is reflected in test results; an increase in alkaline phosphatase in children coincides with these periods.

Normal levels of alkaline phosphatase in the blood of children:

Causes of increased alkaline phosphatase in the blood

High ALP in itself is not a diagnosis; additional research , since the indicator can increase due to many reasons, among them:

  • Hepatitis of any origin (standards increased up to 3 times).
  • Infectious mononucleosis, especially the first week of illness.
  • Liver cirrhosis is a disease in which liver tissue is replaced by connective tissue, which negatively affects its functions. ALP in a biochemical blood test will also increase in cirrhosis of any etiology, autoimmune or alcoholic.
  • Liver cancer or metastases to the area of ​​this organ.
  • Tumors of the pancreas or stomach, pressing on the area of ​​the bile ducts. Blockage of the bile duct is called cholestasis.
  • Primary cancer kidneys
  • Stones in gallbladder.
  • Paget's disease (norms exceeded up to 15-20 times) – rare disease, characterized by pathological bone growth.
  • Osteosarcoma or bone metastases of other tumors.
  • Osteomalacia is a pathological calcium deficiency that causes softening of the bones.
  • Myocardial infarction.
  • Hyperparathyroidism is a disease thyroid gland, in which calcium is washed out of the bones.
  • Ulcerative colitis because ALP is found in intestinal cells.

In the process of diagnosing diseases internal organs it is rarely possible to do without laboratory tests. Defining biochemical composition blood can be given objective assessment the patient's health condition. To standard diagnostic examination includes a test for the level of a substance in the blood such as alkaline phosphatase. In what pathologies is the concentration of this substance reduced?

Violations of the functions of certain internal organs cause changes in the composition of the blood. For this reason, diagnosis cannot be done without biochemical tests. One of the substances whose content is determined in the blood during a standard examination is alkaline phosphatase. Let's look at what it is and what a decrease in enzyme activity indicates.

What it is?

The term alkaline phosphatase (for brevity, many sources use the designation ALP) is used to designate a group of enzymes whose main function is to ensure the occurrence of dephospholation processes.

This reaction involves the separation of the phosphate group from organophosphorus compounds. Phosphatase acts as a reaction catalyst, that is, it ensures the occurrence of metabolic processes of calcium and phosphorus.

Advice! The enzyme received the name alkaline phosphatase because it is active only in an alkaline environment (pH level 9-10). There is also acid phosphatase, but other methods are used to determine its blood level.

This enzyme is found in different tissues, so several isoforms are isolated. However, there are mainly two isoforms present in the blood, one of them is found in liver tissue, the second in bone cells.


Indications

The reasons for changes in the level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood are varied; most often, its concentration changes when:

  • pathological processes in the liver and gall bladder;
  • the appearance of tumor diseases;
  • defeats skeletal system and injuries (fractures);
  • infectious mononucleosis and cytomegalovirus infection;
  • pregnancy.

Therefore, determination of the concentration of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase is prescribed if the patient complains:

  • for weakness, indigestion, change in urine color (darkening), itchy skin;
  • for frequent fractures, bone pain, bone deformities;
  • during routine examinations of people working in hazardous industries;
  • during routine examinations during pregnancy.

Advice! Such an analysis can be prescribed not only during the diagnostic process, but also during treatment. Evaluation of indicators allows one to judge the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment and control the spread of the pathological process.

Procedure

As with any blood test, you need to properly prepare for the ALP test.


The preparation rules for all biochemical analyzes are the same:

  • at least one day before collecting materials, you must exclude alcohol and fatty foods;
  • On the morning of donating blood, you should skip breakfast and only drink a little water.

Advice! It must be remembered that the level of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase is influenced by taking many medications, including hormonal contraceptives. Therefore, it is important to warn the doctor that the patient is taking any medications.

Evaluation of results

A specialist must decipher the results of the analysis, since even if deviations from the norm are identified, it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on the results of one analysis.

Normal indicators

The normal level of concentration of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase varies widely. Norms differ for people of different ages. In children, enzyme levels are always significantly higher than in adults.

Affects the assessment of results and the gender of the patient, as well as some physiological conditions. Thus, during pregnancy the level of the placental fraction of the enzyme increases and this is the norm.


In addition, the standards depend on how the analysis was carried out. The fact is that different laboratories use different reagents, so the reference values ​​can vary significantly. The range of indicators that represent the norm must be indicated on the laboratory form.

What does a decrease in concentration indicate?

If the analysis revealed that alkaline phosphatase is contained in a concentration that is significantly lower accepted standards, then it will be necessary to determine the causes of this condition. Possible reasons Such analysis results may be in the following states:

  • recent significant blood transfusion;
  • severe anemia;
  • insufficient nutrition, unbalanced diet, resulting in a deficiency of zinc and magnesium in the body;
  • vitamin deficiency, a decrease in enzyme levels is observed with a deficiency of vitamins B12 and C.

Low levels of this enzyme in children are often caused by congenital syndromes that lead to impaired bone growth. An example of such a pathology is achondroplasia. With this disease, there is a deformation of the spine and too short limbs with normal sizes torso.


Bone growth disorders accompanied by a decrease in alkaline phosphatase levels are also observed in some other congenital syndromes, in particular with Down syndrome. One more hereditary syndrome, which is characterized by low levels of alkaline phosphatase in the blood, is hypophosphatasemia.

With this disease, calcification of bone tissue is impaired. A feature of this disease is that with a reduced level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood and bone tissue, there is no decrease in the level of elements such as phosphorus and calcium.

A common cause of decreased alkaline phosphatase levels is hypothyroidism. With this disease, the functions of the thyroid gland are disrupted, as a result of which the synthesis of hormones is reduced. This affects many processes in the body, including metabolic ones.

Normally, the level of alkaline phosphatase in pregnant women should increase, this is due to the formation of the placenta. Therefore, if the enzyme concentration is significantly lower than normal, then this is quite warning sign. Such test results may indicate placental insufficiency. With this pathology, the normal nutrition of the fetus is disrupted, which can lead to delays in its development.


Timely detection of placental insufficiency allows necessary treatment and reduce the risk of negative consequences.

What to do?

If it turns out that the level of alkaline phosphatase is reduced, there is no need to try to diagnose yourself. The analysis is not specific; additional examinations will be required to determine the cause of the decrease in the concentration of the enzyme in the blood.

Therefore, the correct action plan would be:

  • You should consult a therapist with the results of the analysis;
  • undergo examinations prescribed by the doctor;
  • if necessary, seek advice from specialists.

Only after the cause of the decrease in ALP levels has been established and a diagnosis has been made, treatment can begin.

So, an analysis for the content of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase can be prescribed in the process of diagnosing a number of diseases, as well as during treatment to evaluate the prescribed therapy. To correctly assess the decrease in the level of this enzyme in the blood, a specialist will need to study data from other examinations.

It should be remembered that the range of normal phosphatase levels is quite wide, and the reasons leading to changes in enzyme concentration are varied. Therefore even experienced doctor will not be able to make a diagnosis based on one analysis. Moreover, you should not try to do it yourself.

Alkaline phosphatase is one of the indicators included in the list of parameters of a biochemical blood test.

In this article we will determine what values ​​for this indicator are considered normal, how to properly prepare for the test, consider the main reasons why alkaline phosphatase is increased or decreased.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme that accelerates chemical reactions. He plays key role in the transport of phosphorus across the cell membrane. This is one of the main regulators that is responsible for the exchange of phosphorus and calcium. ALP is present in all tissues human body in different concentrations. Its maximum content is found in the liver, biliary tract, bone tissue, kidneys, intestines.

The peak activity of this substance occurs when it falls into conditions high content alkalis. In blood healthy person enzyme present in minimum quantities and does not show any activity. If there is a blockage of the biliary tract, a violation normal operation gallbladder or liver, then ALP accumulates in the body, entering the bloodstream.

Based on the level of alkaline phosphatase, many pathologies that disrupt the functioning of the liver and biliary system can be diagnosed. And also the activity of the enzyme is overestimated when the metabolism of phosphorus and calcium is disrupted, which leads to destruction and deformation of bones, slowing down recovery processes skeletal system.

Normal values

The generally accepted ALP norm based on traditional methods tests may differ from values ​​obtained in some laboratories.

This is due to the fact that enzyme activity is determined using non-traditional laboratory methods, and the biomaterial is incubated at different temperatures.

Therefore, when determining normal indicators For alkaline phosphatase, it is best to refer to the specific laboratory reference values ​​indicated on the test results form. The generally accepted unit of measurement for ALP is the international unit of activity (ME or U) per liter (l).

In adult men and women

The general norm of alkaline phosphatase for an adult under 50 years of age falls within the range of 20 to 130 IU/l.

However, when considering the enzyme rate taking into account age categories and gender, the lower limit of the range increases. On average, the level of alkaline phosphatase in men is 10-30 units higher.

The table shows values ​​that reflect normal level ALP with differentiation by age and sex:

In children

Alkaline phosphatase activity in children will be significantly higher than in an adult, and this is normal. The child is in a continuous process of growth, all organs and systems develop throughout childhood until the end of adolescence.

During this time, the complete formation of the skeletal system occurs, the formation hormonal levels, puberty.

The norm of alkaline phosphatase from the neonatal period to adulthood:

  • In the first weeks after birth, the enzyme level in a baby can reach up to 400 U/l; in premature babies this value is much higher - up to 1000 U/l. This is due to a more intensive process of development of organic and bone tissues.
  • TO one year old and up to 3 years, the ALP value can range from 350 to 600 U/l.
  • From 3 to 9 years – from 400 to 700 U/l.
  • From 10 to 18 years, ALP ranges from 155 to 500 U/l. During puberty, its concentration can reach the highest values ​​and amount to 800 - 900 U/l. This is due to the fact that the teenager’s body undergoes serious changes associated with the increased production of its own hormones that regulate all metabolic processes.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, ALP levels will be higher than normal. This is explained by the fact that in a woman’s body, starting from the second week after conception, the placenta actively develops, which contains a large number of of this enzyme.

A rapid increase in placental ALP values ​​is observed in the third trimester, shortly before the birth of the child, when the placenta reaches the peak of its maturity.

At this time, the ALP content is twice the maximum level of a healthy non-pregnant woman.

Table of norms of placental alkaline phosphatase in accordance with trimesters of pregnancy:

A significant excess of the indicated norms indicates an unfavorable course of pregnancy - the development of a severe form of gestosis.

A reduced level of alkaline phosphatase in the body of a woman expecting a child may mean the development of placental insufficiency, and should be a reason to check the degree of maturity of the placenta. Data on the level of alkaline phosphatase in a pregnant woman has important diagnostic value.

Correct interpretation of results biochemical research blood allows to identify serious complications and take corrective action in a timely manner.

Preparation for analysis and its implementation

ALP analysis is performed by collecting venous blood patient. To determine the enzyme concentration in the resulting biological material use chemical method called colorimetry and reagent kit.

For getting reliable result Before donating blood, you should follow these simple recommendations:

  1. It is better to donate blood early in the morning, on an empty stomach. The fasting period should be at least 8-10 hours and no more than 14, while drinking water without gas is allowed.
  2. The day before donating blood, you should avoid physical activity and intense training.
  3. Avoid drinking alcohol two to three days before the test.
  4. The emotional state should be calm; if possible, limit exposure to factors that cause a stress reaction.
  5. If you smoke, refrain from smoking before donating blood. The break should be at least half an hour.
  6. Tell your doctor about medicines that you consumed a couple of days before the test.

In the forms of results of biochemical blood tests, ALP is designated by the common abbreviation ALP. An additional letter after this designation will indicate the place where this enzyme fraction was formed. For example, ALPI - in the intestines, ALPL - in the tissues of the liver, bones, kidneys, or it is also called nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, ALPP - in the placenta.

When detecting deviations of the alkaline phosphatase level from the norm, the following indicators are additionally analyzed to clarify the reasons:

  • ALT and AST enzymes;
  • bilirubin;
  • balance of calcium and phosphorus;
  • GGTP or GGT.

The price of an analysis (in 2018) to determine the level of alkaline phosphatase in Moscow, excluding the cost of the blood collection procedure, averages 250 - 270 rubles.

What causes the increase?

For example:

  • bone growth due to age-related reasons;
  • formation of new bone tissue after injuries;
  • puberty, hormonal “changes”;
  • age-related degenerative-dystrophic processes in the bone structure;
  • intensive sports training;
  • vitamin deficiency as a result poor nutrition, diet;
  • alcohol and nicotine addiction;
  • excess weight, excess fat deposits;
  • low physical activity;
  • excess vitamin C;
  • reception medications containing acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, and medicines, belonging to the category of antibiotics;
  • protection from pregnancy by taking oral contraceptives;
  • taking drugs that have a negative toxic effect on liver tissue (sulfonamides, methotrexate, tetracycline).

An increase in alkaline phosphatase levels in women does not necessarily indicate diseases of the internal organs. There are two main physiological reasons, not caused by any pathology - these are pregnancy and lactation.

However, enzyme values ​​above normal often signal the presence of serious diseases. At severe forms pathologies, the level of alkaline phosphatase can reach up to 2000 U/l.

Diseases that provoke a sharp increase level of alkaline phosphatase, form three conditional groups.

Pathologies of the liver and biliary tract

This enzyme is considered a marker of bile stagnation, which is observed in the following ailments:

  • cholestasis;
  • cholangitis;
  • cirrhosis of the liver (its biliary variant);
  • Infectious mononucleosis;
  • hepatitis of various origins (viral, drug, toxic);
  • oncological diseases of the liver and biliary tract;
  • the formation of stones blocking the outflow of bile;
  • mechanical, cholestatic jaundice (due to long-term use of female sex hormones).

Bone damage

The enzyme is actively produced in osteoblasts - new bone-forming cells that arise from the destruction of old ones. The higher their activity, the more pronounced the concentration of alkaline phosphatase will be.

Among the diseases that destroy bone tissue, highlight:

  • Paget's disease (inflammatory skeletal damage);
  • osteomalacia (deviation in the process of mineralization, leading to unnatural flexibility, fragility and softness of bones);
  • osteosarcoma ( malignant lesion bone-forming cells).

Other diseases

A large number of diseases affecting various systems organism, cause an increase in alkaline phosphatase:

  • pathology of cardio-vascular system– chronic heart failure, myocardial infarction, damage to cardiac muscle tissue;
  • hormonal disorders - hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis), pathologies of the adrenal glands (hyperfunction), hyperparathyroidism (Burnet's syndrome), diffuse toxic goiter (Graves' disease);
  • congenital disease of the urinary system (osteonephropathy or “renal” rickets);
  • rickets in children of the first year of life caused by a lack of vitamin D;
  • miliary tuberculosis;
  • pathology gastrointestinal tract– formation of through damage in the wall of the stomach, cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, nonspecific ulcerative colitis(NYAK), inflammatory process intestinal mucosa (Crohn's disease);
  • malignant lesions of the blood (leukemia), lymphatic tissue (lymphoma);
  • inflammation of the internal genital organs, ovarian, endometrial, cervical cancer;
  • cell damage bone marrow (multiple myeloma) and others.

What causes the decline?

A decrease in ALP levels in the blood may indicate that there are diseases in the body that require treatment:

  • deficiency of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), as a consequence, the development of myxedema ( mucous edema), mental retardation and physical development(cretinism);
  • severe anemia;
  • intestinal enzymopathy (celiac disease, celiac disease);
  • congenital anomalies of skeletal development (achondroplasia, hypophosphatasia).

In addition, ALP may be underestimated as a result of:

  • deficiency of vitamins – groups C and B (B6, B9, B12);
  • lack of elements - zinc and magnesium;
  • excess vitamin D;
  • severe dystrophy due to protein deficiency (kwashiorkor);
  • donor blood transfusion, coronary artery bypass surgery;
  • placental insufficiency during pregnancy;
  • menopause;
  • reception hormonal drugs containing estrogen.

Among cardiovascular causes a decrease in alkaline phosphatase, chronic heart failure is common, leading to an increase in the chambers of the heart and their pathological expansion.

Along with low level ALP is often diagnosed high level cholesterol, tachycardia and blood vessel diseases.

Conclusion: if the ALP level is above 150 U/l, it is worth paying attention to the condition own health, especially if you already have chronic diseases liver and bile ducts.

The following symptoms may indicate a metabolic disorder: nausea, feeling tired, fast fatiguability, poor appetite, joint pain, unpleasant aching sensations in the area under the right hypochondrium. If pathologies are excluded, then it is worth retaking the test a week after the first test, and following all recommendations regarding preparation for the test procedure.