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Laboratory Medicine

Test Directory / Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline Phosphatase

Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin

TestAlkaline Phosphatase
Common AbbreviationsALP
ProfileBone, Liver Function Test
Tube typeBrown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
Clinical IndicationAlkaline phosphatase (ALP) is present in almost all body tissues, located at or in cell membranes. It occurs at particularly high levels in interstitial epithelium, kidney tubules, bone (osteoblasts), liver and placenta. Increases in total ALP are either due to physiological causes or are caused by diseases of the liver or bone. Physiological increases are found in pregnancy, in growing children and post prandially in individuals with blood groups B and O.
Specimen TypeBlood
Sample typeSerum
Minimum Volume0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample.
Special PrecautionsNo special requirements
Stability7 days at 2-25°C
Turnaround TimeUrgent: 2 hours Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours
LaboratoryYork and Scarborough
Reference IntervalNeonates up to 14 days of age: 70-380 IU/L Children >14 days of age: 60-425 IU/L Adults >17 years of age: 30-130 IU/L Pregnant women: 122-386 IU/L
LimitationsSevere haemolysis, icterus or lipaemia may interfere with measurement and prevent an ALP value from being reported.
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