It consists of the dosage of a liver enzyme.
Material studied: blood obtained by venipuncture of the ear lobe, finger or heel.
Time spent at the patient: 5 to 10 minutes.
Purpose: To distinguish between liver disease and bone when the source of alkaline phosphatase elevation is uncertain. Also unlike biliary obstruction of hepatic cell damage. It also helps distinguish some forms of hepatitis when the jaundice is not present.
Advance preparation: fasting for 12 hours. You should report any medications you are taking.
Results: Normal results, determined by colorimetry, are 2 to 7 units per liter in adults. In children usually lower. If the result is high may indicate that there is bile duct obstruction. Acute liver cell damage. Active cirrhosis.
Drugs and circumstances may alter the results:
* Meperidine
* Morphine
* Phenothiazine
* Lack of 12-hour fast
