An aldolase serum test measures the amount of aldolase, an enzyme, present in your blood. This measurement can provide information about the health of certain tissues and organs in your body. When cells containing aldolase are damaged, the enzyme can be released into the bloodstream, leading to elevated levels. The test is a diagnostic tool used by healthcare providers to investigate potential underlying health conditions.
What Aldolase Is and Its Function
Aldolase is an enzyme that plays a role in glycolysis, where the body converts glucose, a type of sugar, into energy. Specifically, aldolase catalyzes the reversible splitting of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate into two smaller, three-carbon molecules: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. This step is important for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s main energy currency.
There are three main types of aldolase: Aldolase A, Aldolase B, and Aldolase C. Aldolase A is found in muscle tissue, red blood cells, and the brain. Aldolase B is found in the liver, kidneys, and cells lining the intestines. Aldolase C is found in the brain.
Why an Aldolase Serum Test is Done
An aldolase serum test is done when a healthcare provider suspects damage to muscles or the liver. Symptoms such as unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or tenderness can prompt this test. It helps determine if these muscle issues are due to a problem within the muscles themselves or if they originate from the nervous system.
The test is also used in conjunction with other enzyme tests to diagnose and monitor specific muscle diseases. Conditions include muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis. For diagnosed individuals, aldolase levels can help track progression or assess treatment effectiveness.
Interpreting Aldolase Test Results
Elevated aldolase levels in the blood indicate damage to muscle or liver cells. Conditions that cause muscle damage, such as muscular dystrophies or inflammatory muscle diseases like polymyositis and dermatomyositis, cause high aldolase levels. The highest levels may be seen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, although levels might decrease as muscle mass is lost over time.
Liver conditions, including hepatitis or cirrhosis, can also cause aldolase levels to rise. Certain cancers, such as those affecting the liver, pancreas, or colon, can also elevate aldolase. Infectious mononucleosis and heart attacks can temporarily increase aldolase.
Normal aldolase levels for adults range from 1.0 to 7.5 units per liter (U/L), though this can vary slightly between laboratories. Children have higher normal ranges, around 1.4 to 8.1 U/L, due to active growth and muscle development. Low aldolase levels are less concerning and suggest an absence of active muscle or liver damage, though a rare metabolic disorder like aldolase B deficiency could be a cause. Aldolase test results should always be interpreted by a healthcare professional, considering other clinical findings and additional tests like creatine kinase (CK) levels for a complete picture.