Which condition can increase ALP levels?

Study liver anatomy and function with our medical students test. Engage with detailed multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your test!

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) rises when there is active bone formation or cholestasis in the liver. In bone disease, osteoblasts are stimulated to lay down new bone, which increases ALP production and release into the bloodstream. In biliary obstruction or cholestasis, bile duct cells and liver tissue upregulate ALP as part of the impaired bile flow, leading to higher serum ALP levels. Biliary atresia is a neonatal condition that blocks bile flow, so ALP goes up there as well. Since each of these conditions can raise ALP, the option that includes all of them is the correct one. If needed, a parallel test like GGT can help distinguish the source: elevated GGT suggests a hepatic/biliary origin, whereas a normal GGT points toward a bone source.