Alprenalserplccnc
A blood test that measures the level of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme found in your liver, bones, and other tissues.
{"ALP is an enzyme produced mainly by the liver and bones","High ALP levels may indicate liver disease or bone disorders","The test is performed on a simple blood sample","Normal levels vary by age, gender, and blood type","Your doctor will interpret results based on your overall health"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 1782-2
- Short code
- ALP
- Synonyms
- ALP Renal SerPl-cCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red top tube
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 44
- Ref high
- 147
- Critical range
- — – 500 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Colorimetric assay using p-nitrophenyl phosphate substrate
- CPT
- 84075
- SNOMED
- 271587001
- Specimen volume
- 1-3 mL of serum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C): 3 months
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 1–4 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) test measures the amount of ALP enzyme in your blood. ALP is produced by various tissues in your body, including the liver, bones, intestines, and kidneys. This test is commonly part of a routine blood panel called a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) or liver panel.
Why is it important?
ALP levels can help doctors evaluate the health of your liver and detect bone disorders. Since ALP is found in high concentrations in the liver and bones, abnormal levels may signal problems in these areas. The test is often ordered when patients have symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), bone pain, or unexplained fatigue.
How is the test performed?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. You typically do not need to fast before this test, though your doctor may instruct you otherwise based on your specific situation.
What do the results mean?
Normal ALP levels vary depending on age, sex, and blood type. Generally, adult normal ranges are between 20 to 140 IU/L (international units per liter), but this can vary by laboratory. Higher than normal ALP levels are more common and may indicate liver problems (such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or bile duct obstruction), bone disorders (such as Paget's disease or osteomalacia), or other conditions. Lower than normal ALP levels are less common but may indicate malnutrition, zinc deficiency, or certain genetic disorders.
Reference range
44-147 U/Lnot specified
No fasting or special preparation required
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings2
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before the ALP test?
What happens if my ALP level is high?
Can lifestyle affect ALP levels?
Is the ALP test safe?
Why do children have higher ALP levels?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy