COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 239
Optimal / Functional
0 - 30 IU/L
Alarm
> 100 IU/L
When to run this test:
● To determine whether or not liver damage has occurred
● As part of a liver function panel
● To help differentiate between hemolytic, jaundice, and liver
disease-related jaundice
Note: ALT and AST depend on vitamin B6 to function. A B6
deficiency4common in alcoholics4can cause falsely low
enzyme levels, even with liver damage. Since these enzymes have
short half-lives, they reflect recent injury, not past damage.
Alkaline Phosphatase
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an important liver enzyme involved
in bone and bile duct function. It is primarily produced in the liver
and bones, and elevated levels may signal liver dysfunction or bile
duct obstruction. ALP is zinc-dependent, so low levels may point to
zinc deficiency. Since it requires an alkaline environment to
function, its activity can also reflect changes in pH balance. ALP is
a useful marker for assessing liver health.
Range
Units
Conventional
25 - 140 IU/L
Optimal / Functional
70 - 100 IU/L
When to run this test:
● Differentiating benign from cancerous liver conditions
● To target liver, bone, and intestinal conditions
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