Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

An Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) test is a vital diagnostic tool used primarily to evaluate the health of your liver and bones. Because ALP is an enzyme found in high concentrations in these tissues, measuring its levels helps clinicians detect bile duct obstructions, liver disease (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis), or bone disorders like Pagets disease and osteomalacia. It is particularly helpful for uncovering silent issues - for instance, a spike in ALP can be an early warning sign of a blocked bile duct or bone regrowth issues even before physical symptoms like jaundice or bone pain become severe.