Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL serum
Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
- Ambient 5 days,
- Refrigerated 2 weeks
Reject Criteria
- Hemolysis
- Anticoagulants other than heparin
Methodology Spectrophotometry (SP)
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 bserved during the third trimester of pregnancy.