Serum Aldolase Test

It is also called Blood Aldolase Test.

It is a diagnostic test. Aldolase is an enzyme present in the muscle tissues. It is used to metabolize glucose molecules and release energy required to work.

In conditions of muscle damage due to any disease condition or trauma, this enzyme spills out into the blood stream.

Aldolase tests are done to check the level of this enzyme and hence detect any skeletal muscle diseases and other conditions including:

• Liver damage
  
• Damage to Heart muscles
  
• Skeletal muscle damage as in muscle dystrophy

Normal Range

0-16 years: less than 14.5 U/L

17 years: less than 7.7 U/L

Preparation for the Test

Avoid overactivity, or any kind of strenuous activity.

Certain medicines may interfere with the test. So inform your doctor about all medications being taken.

Do not eat anything 8 to 10 hours prior to this test. Drinking little water is permitted.

It is elevated in:

• Rhabdomyolysis
• Dermatomyositis/polymyositis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Trichinosis
• Myocardial infarction
• Acute hepatitis
• Prostatic carcinoma
• Burns
• Gangrene
• Delirium tremens
• Hemorrhagic pancreatitis

It is decreased in case of reduced muscle mass.