During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding. The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme in all tissues.
Tissues with particularly high concentrations include liver, bile ducts, and bone cells. There are multiple varieties of ALP, called isoenzymes, with slightly different structures. Since damaged or diseased tissue releases enzymes into the blood, serum ALP measurements can differentiate bone disease from liver disease. This test is usually performed as part of the Chem-20 test. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.