Aldolase Test

Aldolase, an enzyme is secreted by your body to help break down the glucose into energy and Aldolase forms a critical part of this process. Usually, Aldolase can be found all over your body but usually in higher concentrations in the muscles as well as liver. Even though there is no direct correlation, most doctors believe that a higher concentration of Aldolase in blood is often an indication of a serious health issue, stemming from damaged liver or muscles. This is why it is important to get the Aldolase levels checked periodically, as it can give you an idea as regards the state of your health.

The test is straightforward and is minimally invasive; you would be required to provide your physician with a blood sample so that he can determine the aldolase levels in your blood. An abnormally high reading is often considered to be a good indication of either liver or muscle damage or both. In that case, your doctor would run a few additional tests including the creatine kinase as well as aspartate aminotransferase to confirm the liver/ muscle damage. Even a minor heart attack can result in elevated Aldolase levels in your blood which is why you need to take this test on a periodic basis. You would be required not to imbibe or eat anything for a period of six hours before the test, but make sure that you are well rested, relaxed before the technician comes in to draw the blood. And do inform your doctor regarding your medical history as well as any OTC medications that you had taken recently.

This test is used to determine the Aldolase levels in your blood; apart from that, the test is also use to determine rare genetic disorders such as dermatomyositis and polymyositis. Once your physician has determined higher than usual levels of Aldolase in your blood, he may run a few additional tests to help determine the underlying problem.

It would be advisable to wear short sleeves; your doctor may opt for a venipuncture, where he would draw the blood directly from the vein itself. The doctor may apply a tourniquet, rub antiseptic to clean the area, and collect the blood by utilizing a syringe. This sample would then be processed, and tested for aldolase levels in the blood. An abnormally high level of Aldolase can be an indication of several health issues, some of which are listed below Viral hepatitis, Leukemia, Gangrene, Liver cancer, Muscle atrophy, Heart attack and much more