Aldolase & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is aldolase?

The aldolase test is used to detect diseases of the liver and muscles.

Aldolase is an enzyme that is involved in the process of glycolysis or the breakdown of glucose into energy in the body. Aldolase is distributed in all parts of the body. However, this enzyme is mostly found in muscles and liver.

Patients with muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, and multi-muscular inflammation tend to have high levels of aldolase. Aldolase levels can still be elevated in patients with muscular nacrosis, muscle injury, and infectious diseases that spread to the muscles (eg taeniasolium). Elevated aldolase levels were seen in patients with chronic hepatitis, biliary obstructive jaundice, and cirrhosis. In addition, this test is used to identify the cause of muscle weakness. Muscle disease can be detected by high levels of the enzyme aldolase. Meanwhile, muscle weakness caused by neurological diseases such as polio, myasthenia gravis, and multiple sclerosis has normal levels of the enzyme aldolase.

When should I take aldolase?

In general, this test is used to diagnose muscle and liver injuries. For example, if the heart muscle is damaged in a heart attack, the aldolase level will increase rapidly. Likewise if you have cirrhosis.

However, along with the development of technology, this test is starting to be abandoned and replaced with more accurate tests such as creatine kinase, ALT, AST.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before taking aldolase?

Several factors can affect the test results, including:

• • muscle injection prior to the test can raise aldolase levels
  • Intense exercise can temporarily increase aldolase
  • certain drugs can raise levels of aldolase (eg liver toxins)
  • certain drugs can lower aldolase levels (eg phenothiazines)

Observe warnings and precautions before undergoing this treatment. If you have any questions, please consult a doctor for further information and instructions.

Process

What should I do before taking aldolase?

• for best results, it is not recommended that you engage in intense exercise or any other physical activity prior to the test
• Your doctor will ask you to limit physical activity a few days before the test
• make sure you tell your doctor about any medications you are taking. Some drugs can affect aldolase levels and make test results inaccurate
• It is recommended that you wear short-sleeved clothing to make the process of taking a blood sample from your hand easier

How does aldolase process?

The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:

• wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
• clean the area to be injected with alcohol
• inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
• Insert the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood
• untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn
• attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete
• apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on

What should I do after taking aldolase?

Some people may feel pain when the needle is inserted into the skin. But for most people, the pain will fade away when the needle is right in the vein. Generally, the level of pain experienced depends on the nurse's expertise, the condition of the blood vessels, and the person's sensitivity to pain.

After going through the blood draw process, wrap your hands with a bandage. Press the vein lightly to stop the bleeding. After doing the test, you can carry out your activities as usual.

If you have any questions regarding the test process, please consult your doctor for further instructions.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

Normal

Normal range:

• adults: 3-8.2 Sibley-Lehninger unit / dL or 22-59 mU / 37 ° C (SI unit)
• children: twice as high as the adult range
• infant: four times higher than the adult range

Abnormal

The increase in aldolase is caused by:

• liver disease (for example, hepatitis)
• muscle disease (for example, muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, and multi-muscular inflammation)
• muscle injury
• muscle infection (for example, taeniasolium)
• necrosis process (for example, intestinal necrosis)
• coroner

The normal range for an aldolase test may vary depending on which laboratory you choose. Discuss with your doctor if you have any questions about your test results.