What is the aldolase blood test for?
Aldolase levels in the blood rise when a person has muscle damage. The aldolase blood test may be ordered to diagnose and monitor certain conditions related to skeletal muscle. It largely has been replaced by other muscle enzyme tests, especially CK (creatine kinase).
What does a high aldolase level mean?
Increased levels of this enzyme may indicate a serious health problem. Elevated aldolase is usually a sign of muscle or liver damage. For example, muscle damage from a heart attack releases aldolase in large quantities. Liver damage, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, raises aldolase levels as well.
When should aldolase be tested?
Why Is an Aldolase Test Performed? If you are experiencing muscle weakness or myalgia (muscle pain), your doctor will want to know if your symptoms are due to a problem with your muscles or your nerves. A high amount of aldolase (ALS) in your blood can be a sign of muscle damage.
What can cause high aldolase?
Elevated aldolase levels may be seen in conditions such as damage to the skeletal muscle (trauma), dermatomyositis, polymyositis, infectious mononucleosis, muscular dystrophy, myocardial infarction, nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia, viral / auto-immune hepatitis or hepatic cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer.
What is a normal aldolase test?
Normal results range between 1.0 to 7.5 units per liter (0.02 to 0.13 microkat/L). There is a slight difference between men and women. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples.
What blood test shows muscle inflammation?
Doctors use a blood test to look for elevated levels of a substance called creatine kinase, which is released into the bloodstream when muscle fibers deteriorate. Elevated levels may mean you have an inflammatory myopathy.
What blood test indicates autoimmune disease?
What is an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test? An ANA test looks for antinuclear antibodies in your blood. If the test finds antinuclear antibodies in your blood, it may mean you have an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder causes your immune system to attack your own cells, tissues, and/or organs by mistake.
How long do aldolase test results take?
An aldolase blood test looks for damage to muscles, liver or the heart. Preparation: No special preparation required. Test Results: 1-3 days.
Why is aldolase important?
Aldolase is a glycolytic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of fructose 1-6-diphosphate to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxy-acetone phosphate via the glycolysis metabolic pathway. Aldolase is likely ubiquitous to all cells, with larger concentrations present in muscle, liver, and brain tissues.
Can an MRI detect muscle problems?
An MRI will not show muscle strains or other problems with soft tissues. The pain usually will go away on its own, although it may take several months.
What does elevated aldolase mean?
Elevated aldolase is usually a sign of muscle or liver damage. For example, muscle damage from a heart attack releases aldolase in large quantities. Liver damage, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis , raises aldolase levels as well.
What is a high aldolase level?
Aldolase levels are used to diagnose injury or disease of the liver or muscles. High aldolase levels are seen in people with the liver diseases cirrhosis, jaundice caused by obstructions, or chronic hepatitis. High levels are also seen in people with muscle weakness due to dermatomyositis, muscular dystrophy , or polymyositis.
What does aldolase test for?
Aldolase Test is generally performed to diagnose and monitor diseases related to skeletal muscles and liver.
What is aldolase in blood work?
Aldolase is an enzyme that helps convert glucose (sugar) into energy. It is found throughout the body but is primarily found in high levels in muscle tissue. Aldolase levels in the blood rise when a person has muscle damage.