Diabetic Instability
What Is Elevated Bone Alkaline Phosphatase?
[dropcap]E levated bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) is a laboratory result that indicates an abnormal blood level of this bone enzyme.
A bone alkaline phosphatase blood level is one of the most frequently used biochemical markers of bone formation.
Q: Why is the purpose of bone alkaline phosphatase?
A: Bone alkaline phosphatase is produced by bone cells called osteoclasts in normal bone maintenance for the purpose of breaking down old or damaged bone so that other bone cells called osteoblasts can fill in the excavated areas with new bone. This process keeps bone stong and healthy.
Elevated bone alkaline phosphatase shows that more bone is being broken down than is being replaced. It can be caused by hyperparathyroidism, bone tumors from cancer, and malnutrition.