Una enzima del hígado, vías biliares y hueso; la fuente de un valor alto requiere una segunda revisión.
Otros nombres:Alkaline phosphataseSección:Química sanguínea
Actualizado: 29 de agosto de 2026·Equipo editorial de MedProtect Información de referencia — no es un diagnóstico ni una prescripción
En resumenA common adult reference range is 40–129 IU/L. High values come from the liver or from bone; children in growth spurts and pregnant women run higher normally.
Valores de referencia
Grupo
Valor de referencia
Adultos
40–129 IU/L
Normal values vary slightly between laboratories, and they vary with age and sex. High levels are normal in children during growth spurts and in pregnant women.
Compruebe su valor
Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.
A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.
Qué es este marcador
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a protein found in all body tissues, with the highest amounts in the liver, the bile ducts, and bone. A blood test measures the total level, and the result is reported in international units per liter (IU/L).
The liver and bone produce different types of ALP, but the standard test cannot tell them apart. When ALP is high, the next step is either an ALP isoenzyme test — which identifies which tissue is making it — or the other liver function tests: if those are high too, the liver is the likely source.
Some high values are entirely normal. Children going through growth spurts and pregnant women normally show higher ALP, and even a fatty meal can raise the level in people with blood type O or B. A result outside the range therefore does not automatically mean disease.
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow. Many medicines can interfere with the result, so the provider will say whether any of them should be paused before the draw — and none should be stopped without that conversation.
Cuando está elevado
Blocked bile ductsA blockage in the bile ducts is a classic liver-side cause of high ALP.
Cirrhosis and hepatitisScarring or inflammation of the liver raises the liver type of ALP. Mononucleosis, which can swell the liver, appears here too.
Paget's disease of boneThis bone disorder makes bones unusually large and weak and is a typical bone-side cause of a high ALP.
Healing fracture or bone tumoresActive bone repair after a fracture, osteoblastic bone tumors, and osteomalacia all release the bone type of ALP.
Normal, non-disease causesGrowth spurts in children, pregnancy, and a fatty meal in people with blood type O or B raise ALP without any illness.
Moderate risesHodgkin lymphoma, heart failure, and certain infections can produce a moderately high level.
Cuando está bajo
Zinc or protein deficiencia, malnutritionToo little zinc, too little protein, and general malnutrition can push ALP below the range.
Pernicious anemiaThis B12-related anemia is one of the listed causes of a low ALP.
Thyroid disease and Wilson diseaseAn underactive thyroid and the copper-handling disorder Wilson disease can both lower ALP.
HypophosphatasiaA rare genetic disease that affects bones and teeth produces unusually low ALP levels.
Qué puede alterar el resultado
Estos factores pueden alterar el valor sin ninguna enfermedad — vale la pena considerarlos antes de repetir la prueba:
EmbarazoGrowth spurts in niñosA fatty meal (blood type O or B)Many medicines
Cómo prepararse
Many medicines can interfere with the result. Your provider will tell you if any medicine should be paused before the test; do not stop or change medicines on your own.
Cuándo tiene sentido repetir la prueba
A high ALP is followed by tests that find its source: the liver function panel, an ALP isoenzyme test where available, and the comparison with GGT that separates liver from bone.
Quién suele revisar este resultado
Un resultado fuera del rango de referencia suele ser revisado por:your GP or primary care doctor; a gastroenterologist or a bone specialist (endocrinologist or orthopedist) depending on the suspected source. Traiga su informe de laboratorio y cualquier resultado anterior a la cita.
Nombres usados en los informes de laboratorio
Su informe puede usar cualquiera de estos nombres: ALPALKPHOSAlkpALK PHOSAlkaline phosphatase
Unidades
Medido en:IU/L
¿Varios marcadores en su informe?
See how MedProtect explains results in the app: the whole report, a check of the recognized values, and a clear breakdown.
The provider looks for the source. If the other liver tests are also high, the liver is the likely origin; if they are normal, a bone disorder moves up the list. An ALP isoenzyme test can identify the tissue directly, but it is not available everywhere.
Is high ALP normal in pregnancy?
Yes. Pregnant women normally show higher ALP, as do children during growth spurts. A high value in these situations is expected and is read differently.
What does low ALP mean?
Low ALP is less common than high. The listed causes include zinc deficiency, protein deficiency, malnutrition, pernicious anemia, thyroid disease, Wilson disease, and the rare genetic condition hypophosphatasia.
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