Interpretation of results
Reference values for the concentration of this enzyme are 240-270 U/l. An increase in indicators during pregnancy usually does not indicate pathology and is explained by physiological processes in the woman’s body. Enzyme deficiency is rare. Its excess can indicate a number of diseases (rickets, mononucleosis, some types of oncology, bacterial infection, etc.). The diagnosis is established taking into account the clinical picture, the results of other laboratory and instrumental studies. Sometimes the amount of enzyme increases in healthy people. Only a doctor can correctly interpret the test results; it is unacceptable to use it for self-diagnosis.
Enzyme levels in the blood
A healthy amount of alkaline phosphatase changes with age and depends on a person's gender. Indicators are measured in international units per liter of blood (IU/l, U/l).
For a newborn baby, the norm will be values from 70 to 370 U/l. At five years of age, normal values for boys range from 180 to 415 international units of alkaline phosphatase per liter of blood, and for girls - from 160 to 350. At the age of ten, the norms are as follows: 190 - 430 U/l and 215 - 475 U/l. l.
In boys, the peak level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood occurs at thirteen years of age - at this age, values from 180 to 585 U / l are considered healthy.
Since girls develop physiologically a little earlier, their highest levels of the enzyme are observed at eleven years of age - 175 - 520 international units per liter of blood. Subsequently, the norms begin to decrease in representatives of both sexes.
Reasons for decreased normal ALP levels
Low ALP can be caused by anemia
The reasons why alkaline phosphatase levels decrease are quite varied. The main doctors among them are the following:
- severe anemia;
- decreased activity of the thyroid gland;
- hypophosphatasia is a congenital pathology in which softening of the bones occurs;
- age-related osteoporosis;
- lack of vitamins C, B6 and B12;
- deficiency of zinc, magnesium and folic acid;
- cretinism.
In a small percentage of patients, due to the individual characteristics of the body, the enzyme level is slightly reduced, but there are no pathologies. This feature is determined after the examination, if no health problems are detected during the examination.
What is alkaline phosphatase
Phosphatase is essentially an enzyme that belongs to the category of hydrolases. This enzyme is necessary in the body because it participates in the dephospholation reaction and ensures its success. The reaction occurs at the molecular level and is the process of detaching phosphorus from certain organic substances.
Phosphatase transfers the resulting phosphorus through the cell membrane, while the levels of this substance in human blood are constant and serve to determine the level of phosphorus-calcium metabolic processes.
Alkaline phosphatase in medicine is one of the enzymes that occurs most frequently in the body, but the main mechanism of its action has not yet been fully understood. In the human body, this substance is present in almost any tissue, but it comes in several varieties, in particular, phosphatase can be placental, renal, bone, intestinal and liver.
In human blood serum, as a rule, the presence of bone and liver phosphatase is observed, while their amounts are almost always the same, and changes in one of the indicators may indicate the presence of disorders.
Low ALP levels during pregnancy
ALP levels during pregnancy are higher than normal
During a pregnancy that is proceeding well, the alkaline phosphatase level should be higher than in the normal state. This is explained by the fact that an additional substance begins to be produced by the placenta. In this condition, a reduced level is an indicator of placental insufficiency, which is dangerous due to termination of pregnancy or the birth of a child who will not be viable.
Prevention of low ALP levels
Timely seeking help is the best prevention
There are no exact preventive measures against a decrease in alkaline phosphatase, since the pathologies that cause changes in the indicator are varied. General preventative measures that help reduce the risk of health problems include:
- proper nutrition;
- giving up alcohol and tobacco;
- taking enough vitamins;
- seeking medical help if even minor health problems occur.
These recommendations will be useful for the prevention of most diseases, as they are aimed at the general maintenance of the body.
Indications for analysis
An analysis to determine the level of alkaline phosphatase is prescribed if certain diseases are suspected.
In most cases, the patient is referred for phosphatase testing if:
- Suspicion of jaundice.
- Vomiting and attacks of nausea, the causes of which are unknown.
- Discoloration of feces.
- Darkening of urine.
- Fatigue quickly for no apparent reason.
In the cases listed above, the patient is prescribed a study of the level of alkaline phosphatase, as well as gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), which allows to identify possible stagnation of bile.
In addition, the analysis is also prescribed during the treatment of certain diseases, when a person is taking drugs that can cause a state of cholestasis.
Research is also carried out if a person has diseases of bone tissue, as well as during treatment of these ailments to monitor the effectiveness of therapy.
