The Alkaline Phosphatase Level: Nuances of a Familiar Test

摘要

Alkaline phosphatase is a commonly encountered laboratory value that is included in the panel of liver function tests. Although elevated concentrations generally are attributed to either liver or bone sources, the enzyme has been identified as a biomarker for a diverse range of diseases and physiologic processes. Elevated alkaline phosphatase may have implications ranging from indicating periodontal disease to predicting preterm labor.