Alkaline Phosphatase

Test Code

ALKPH

Alias/See Also

Alk Phos, ALP

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)

Transport Container

PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 7 days, Frozen: 6 months

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.

Reference Range

Age	Female	Male
Adult (>19 years):	38-136 U/L	38-136 U/L
Pediatric:
0–7 days	107-357	121-351
8 – 30 days	107-474	138-486
1 – 3 months	125-547	101-467
4 – 6 months	125-449	94-425
7 – 11 months	101-431	101-394
1 – 3 years	185-383	185-383
4 – 6 years	191-450	191-450
7 – 9 years	218-499	218-499
10 – 11 years	169-657	174-624
12 – 13 years	141-499	245-584
14 – 15 years	103-283	169-618
16 – 19 years	82-169	93-317

Clinical Significance

Serum alkaline phosphatase levels are of interest in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disorders and bone disease associated with increased osteoblastic activity. Moderate elevations of alkaline phosphatase may be seen in several conditions that do not involve the liver or bone. Among these are Hodgkin’s disease, congestive heart failure, ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis, and intra-abdominal bacterial infections. Elevations are also observed during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.