Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alternate Test Name

Alternate Name

Epic Mnemonic
Sunquest Mnemonic

LAB112
ALKP

Category

Chemistry

Methodology

Enzymatic IFCC 

Test Performance Schedule

Sunday - Saturday

Result Availability

Within 24 hours – STAT upon request

Container

Gold top (SST), Red top (serum), or Green top (Lithium heparin) tube
Alt: EDTA/Red

Volume

Pref. Vol.: 1.0 mL serum or plasma
Min. Vol.:0.5 mL serum or plasma

Collection Instructions

• Routine venipuncture

• Immediately after collection, gently invert tube 5-10 times

• Clot 30 minutes

• Promptly centrifuge

• If no gel barrier is present immediately transfer serum or plasma to a plastic tube and refrigerate

• Properly centrifuged gel barrier tube does not require transfer of serum or plasma to separate tube

Transportation Instructions

Refrigerated

Stability

• Room Temperature: 5 days
• Refrigerated: 5 days

CPT Codes

84075

Effective/Revised

03/21/2017

Determinations of alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) are important in liver and bone disorders. Levels of ALKP are increased in both extrahepatic and intrahepatic obstructive disease and cirrhosis. Other liver abnormalities such as hepatic tumors, hepatotoxic drugs, and hepatitis cause lesser elevation in ALKP levels. Pathologic new bone growth occurs with osteoblastic metastatic (e.g. breast, prostate) tumors with bone being the most frequent extrahepatic source of ALKP. If ALKP is the only raised value within a liver function panel, it should not be assumed that it is of hepatic origin. Additional testing should be done to rule out an extrahepatic source.