About Aldolase Test
Why is the Aldolase test done?
Increased levels of an enzyme like aldolase could be an indication of some serious health problem. Elevated aldolase usually points towards muscle or liver damage. Muscle damage could include muscle damage in the heart. Liver damage could be due to diseases like cirrhosis.
The Aldolase test has been pushed aside for the past few years. Instead, doctors tend to go for more precise tests such as creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, and AST. However, the Aldolase test is still actively used for muscular dystrophy.
The Aldolase test can also detect rare genetic conditions such as dermatomyositis and polymyositis disorders of the skeletal muscle.
What does the Aldolase test measure?
You need enzymes to carry out important chemical reactions in the body. If any enzyme starts working abnormally, the body will start showing signs of disorders. The Aldolase enzyme is key to converting glucose into energy.
There are two major areas where aldolase is found in a major capacity. First, the skeletal muscle contains high amounts of aldolase (skeletal muscles are the most common of the three types of muscles; they are also called voluntary muscles). Abnormal quantities of aldolase could be an indication of skeletal disorders.
The liver is the other main area where aldolase is found. If there are any abnormalities in the quantity of aldolase, that could be an indication of liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis. In both cases, the liver malfunctions and cannot work properly.
The Aldolase test measures the level of aldolase in the blood. A doctor should be contacted immediately if the level is not in range.
Risk/Side-effects of Aldolase test
Generally, there is very little risk of any major symptoms inside the body. The person might feel slight pain (or some bruising) in the area where the needle has been pierced to take the blood. But those tend to disappear pretty quickly and not cause any major problems to the patient. In very rare cases, the patient might develop blood collection under the skin or infection at the site where the needle was pierced. But that is a very rare occurrence and nothing major to worry about.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
Are there any preparations needed for this test?
There are no major preparations needed for the test.
How is the sample taken?
The blood is taken from the arm. The area is cleaned with rubbing alcohol, and the technician takes blood precisely.
Are there any risks to the test?
There are minor risks that do not happen under general circumstances. The technicians just need to be a little careful.
How long does it take to get Aldolase results?
About 1-3 days.
THINGS TO KNOW AFTER GETTING TESTED
Interpreting the Aldolase test results
For people above the age of 17, the normal range of aldolase in the body is 1.0 7.5 litres per unit. For people below the age of 16, the upper range could stretch up to 14.5 litres per unit.
Higher levels of aldolase could be an indication of the following health problems:
- Muscle damage
- Dermatomyositis
- Viral hepatitis
- Liver, pancreas, or prostate cancers
- Muscular dystrophy
- Heart attack
- Polymyositis (muscle pain and weakness)
- Leukaemia (cancer)
- Gangrene (death of body tissue due to lack of blood flow)
The results arent as straightforward as they seem, though. Even if the aldolase level is initially higher for muscle damage, the level starts to decrease as the number of muscles decreases, and that causes a problem in assessing the problem.
Lower levels of aldolase could be an indication of diseases like:
- Fructose (type of sugar) intolerance
- Muscle-wasting disease (loss of muscle due to shrinking or weakening)
- Late-stage muscular dystrophy
Book Aldolase Test in Chandigarh
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Looking to book an Aldolase Test in Chandigarh? Read below to know about the test.
The Aldolase test is done to measure the level of aldolase in the body. There are several steps that the body undertakes to convert glucose into energy. One of the key components in these steps is the enzyme called aldolase. The highest concentration of aldolase is found in the liver as well as the skeletal muscle. Higher levels of aldolase could be a sign of a major problem in the body damages to your muscles and liver. The test is recommended by doctors when they see signs of diseases like hepatitis.
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