Know the basics

What is aldolase?

Tests measuring the concentration of enzyme aldolase are most useful in identifying whether pathological test of muscle or liver cells or not.

Aldolase is an enzyme that breaks sugar molecules to produce energy for body to function. Aldolase enzyme is found throughout all parts of body, but it is most concentrated in muscles and liver

The level of serum aldolase is very high in patients with muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, and multiorgan inflammation. Concentrations are increasing in patients with muscle necrosis process, muscular injuries, and infectious diseases spreading in the body (eg, schistosomiasis pig).

Rising aldolase level is also noted in chronic hepatitis, obstructive jaundice, and cirrhosis.

In addition, this test is also used to distinguish cause of muscle weakness, such as muscle weakness that is caused by nerve damaged muscle control or unusual muscle. Patients with muscle weakness caused by neurological diseases such as polio, myasthenia gravis, and multiple sclerosis have normal enzyme levels. However, patients are at very high muscle enzyme levels.

Why is aldolase performed?

Generally these tests are used to look for lesions in muscle and liver. For example, if the heart muscle is damaged by heart attack, the levels of aldolase will rise very high. If you have cirrhosis, the concentration of aldolase will also increase.

Previously, this test is used to check for muscle and liver damage. But today there are better tests such as creatine kinase, ALT, AST. So testing for aldolase will not be taken anymore.

Things to know before

What should I know before receiving aldolase?

Factors that may alter test results include:

Previous vaccination in muscle may increase aldolase levels.
Intense exercise can cause a temporary spike of aldolase.
Drugs that can increase the levels of aldolase include substances toxic to liver.
Drugs that can cause reduce the level aldolase include phenothiazines.

It is important you understand the warnings and precautions before having this surgery. If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor for more information and instructions.

Know what happens

How to prepare for aldolase?

Ideally, before taking blood, you should not physically active or exercise too heavy because it would falsify test results. Tell your doctor that degree of your exercise recently. Maybe doctor will recommend that you should reduce your workout a few days before the test.

Please tell your doctor all the medicines you are using, because there are some types that can affect blood levels of aldolase.

You should wear a short sleeve shirt in order to nurse can easily take blood from your arm.

What happens during aldolase?

To implement the test, doctor will:

Bandage around arm to stop bleeding.
Disinfect the injection site with alcohol.
Inject needle into vein. They could inject more than 1 time if necessary.
Attach a hose to contain bleeding.
Remove the strips of tape around the arm after getting enough blood.
Put bandage or a cotton swab on the injection site.
Put urgo on the injection site.

What happens after aldolase?

Doctors or nurse will take blood for the test. Your pain degree depends on skills of nurses, your venous situation and your sensitivity to pain.

After taking blood, you need to put bandage and press lightly on needle puncture to stop bleeding. You can return to normal activity after the test.

If you have any questions about the aldolase, please consult with your doctor to better understand your instructions.

Understand the results

What do my results mean?

Normal results:

Adults: Sibley-Lehninger 3 to 8.2 units / dL or 22-59 mU / L at 37 ° C (SI units).
Children: double times compared to adult.
Infants: roughly four times the value of adults.

Abnormal results:

Concentrations may increase due to:

Liver disease (eg, hepatitis);
muscle disease (eg, muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, and muscle inflammation);
muscle injury (eg, injuries from collisions circuit);
muscle infection (eg, schistosomiasis swine);
The process of necrosis (eg, bowel necrosis);
Heart attack.

Concentrations decrease may be due to:

Late muscular dystrophy;
hereditary fructose intolerance;
muscular dystrophy

Depending on the laboratory and hospital, the normal range for aldolase may vary. Please discuss with your doctor any questions you may have about your test results.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.