liver enzymes

what should you I.S.O.  level be and is 68 bad? and what is I.S.O.?

[mikesimon]

A patient who has an elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) may be asked to have an isoenzyme test performed which will show where the elevated ALP is coming from. Generally ALP is produced in the bones and the liver. An isoenzyme test will determine what part of the body is causing higher ALP levels.

The following is from:

ALP Isoenzyme Test

See:  http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/test/alp-isoenzyme-test/overview.html

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a substance found in all body tissues. There are many different forms of ALP. Each type is different and is called an isoenzyme. Its structure depends on where in the body it is produced, such as the liver and bones.

The ALP isoenzyme test is a lab test that measures the amounts of different types of ALP in the blood.


Alternative Names

Alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme test

Why the Test Is Performed

When the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test result is high, the doctor may order the ALP isoenzyme test. This test will help determine what part of the body is causing higher ALP levels.

This test may be used to diagnose:

    Bone disease
    Cause of pain in the abdomen
    Liver, gallbladder, or bile duct disease
    Parathyroid gland disease
    Vitamin D deficiency

It may also be done to check liver function and to see how medicines you take may affect your liver.

"This test may be used to diagnose:

    Bone disease
    Cause of pain in the abdomen
    Liver, gallbladder, or bile duct disease
    Parathyroid gland disease
    Vitamin D deficiency

It may also be done to check liver function and to see how medicines you take may affect your liver."

Normal Results

The normal value is 20 to 140 IU/L (international units per liter).

Adults have lower levels of ALP than children. Bones that are still growing produce higher levels of ALP. During some growth spurts, levels can be as high as 500 IU/L. For this reason, the test is usually not done in children, and abnormal results refer to adults.

The isoenzyme test results can reveal whether the increase is in "bone" ALP or "liver" ALP.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Higher-than-normal ALP levels:

    Bone diseases or problems, such as healing fractures, certain bone tumors, softening of the bones,hyperparathyroidism, orPaget's disease
    Gallstones, or a blockage in the tubes that carry bile from the liver
    Liver disease or infection of the liver (hepatitis)
    Lymphoma or leukemia

Lower-than-normal levels of ALP:

    Malnutrition
    Protein deficiency
    Wilson's disease

Levels that are only slightly higher than normal may not be a problem unless there are other signs of a disease or medical problem.

Mike