Included with every panel
Baseline labs come free with any panel you build.
Metabolism & organs
Alkaline phosphatase test
Enzyme from liver, bone, and placenta; elevations may point to bone turnover, liver disease, or pregnancy. Included with every panel.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme, a type of protein, made mostly in your liver and bones. Higher levels can point to a problem in the bile ducts, the tubes that drain your liver, or faster bone growth or repair.
Why it matters for women
Alkaline phosphatase can normally rise during pregnancy because the placenta makes it too. Outside pregnancy, it can be raised by primary biliary cholangitis, a slow-moving liver condition of the small bile ducts that mostly affects women in midlife. A healing bone, such as after a fracture, can also push it up.
You might check it if…
- a past liver test came back high
- you’ve had ongoing itching, tiredness or yellowing of your eyes
- you’ve had bone pain or a recent fracture
What your result may mean
High Alkaline phosphatase: what it may mean
High alkaline phosphatase (ALP) may point to the liver or bile ducts, especially alongside a high GGT, or to faster bone turnover, such as a healing fracture, vitamin D deficiency or bone disease. It can normally rise in pregnancy because the placenta can make it too, and it can also creep up after menopause as bone turnover picks up. Primary biliary cholangitis, a slow-moving liver condition that mostly affects women in midlife, can raise it as well. Itching, bone pain or yellow skin can appear, or there may be no symptoms at all.
Low Alkaline phosphatase: what it may mean
Low alkaline phosphatase (ALP) can be uncommon and may not be a concern. It can reflect low zinc or magnesium, malnutrition, low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) or, rarely, the inherited condition hypophosphatasia, which can weaken bones and teeth. Estrogen medicines, including some birth control pills, can nudge ALP lower too. A slightly low result may cause no symptoms, though bone pain or early tooth loss can lead a clinician to look for the inherited condition.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.