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Description

The total alkaline phosphatase (TAP) test is a laboratory test used to measure the amount of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in a patient's serum. ALP is an enzyme found in the liver, bile ducts, and bone. Elevated levels of ALP can indicate a variety of conditions, including liver disease, bone disorders, and certain types of cancer.

The TAP test is performed by collecting a sample of the patient's blood and then measuring the amount of ALP in the serum. The sample is usually collected through a venipuncture, where a needle is inserted into a vein in the arm and a sample of blood is drawn. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will measure the amount of ALP in the sample and report the results to the doctor.

Synonyms

• alk phos
• alkaline phosphatase
• ALP

Other Sample Sources for This Test

• peritoneal fluid
• plasma
• pleural fluid
• synovial fluid
• urine

Some Diseases Associated with an Abnormal Total Alkaline Phosphatase

• benign hypertension
• diabetes mellitus
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• malignant neoplasm
• injury
• normal pregnancy
• bone fracture
• benign neoplasm
• coronary atherosclerosis
• secondary malignant bone or bone marrow neoplasm
• malignant pulmonary neoplasm
• acute myocardial infarction
• malignant female breast neoplasm
• infectious mononucleosis
• chronic liver disease
• influenza
• hypothyroidism
• acute pancreatitis
• pneumonia
• congestive heart failure
• bacterial pneumonia
• hematologic malignancy
• malignant prostate neoplasm
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• menopause
• chronic kidney disease
• gallbladder disorder
• biliary disorder
• malignant colorectal neoplasm
• nonmedicinal toxicity
• AIDS
• amebiasis
• diffuse connective tissue disease
• acute renal failure

Detailed Laboratory Testing Information (use the custom search buttons below to find details on these topics)

All of the following must be considered when interpreting clinical findings and are too extensive to be covered on this site: