Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme present in several tissues throughout the body, especially in the liver, bones, kidneys, and digestive system. ALP plays an important role in breaking down proteins and in dephosphorylation processes. In the liver, it’s associated with bile ducts and is commonly used to help diagnose liver and bone conditions. Elevated ALP levels may indicate bile duct obstruction or bone disorders, while low levels can be linked to certain genetic conditions and malnutrition.
Elevated ALP levels can be caused by: