Type of test Blood

Normal findings

 Adult: 3-8.2 Sibley-Lehninger units/dL or 22-59 mU/L at 37° C (SI units)

Child: approximately two times the adult values

 Newborn: approximately four times the adult values

Test explanation and related physiology

 Serum aldolase is very similar to the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase AST (SGOT)  and CPK . Aldolase is an enzyme used in glycolysis (breakdown of glucose). As with AST and creatine phosphokinase, aldolase exists throughout the body in most tissues. This test is most useful for indicating muscular or hepatic cellular injury or disease. The serum aldolase level is very high in patients with muscular dystrophies, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis. Levels also are increased in patients with gangrenous processes, muscular trauma, and muscular infectious diseases (e.g., trichinosis). Elevated levels are also noted in chronic hepatitis, obstructive jaundice, and cirrhosis.

Neurologic diseases causing weakness can be differentiated from muscular causes of weakness with this test. Normal values are seen in patients with such neurologic diseases as poliomyelitis, myasthenia gravis, and multiple sclerosis. Elevated aldolase levels are seen in the primary muscular disorders.

Interfering factors

 • Previous IM injections may cause elevated levels.

 • Strenuous exercise can cause a transient spike in aldolase.

*  Drugs that may cause increased aldolase levels include hepatotoxic agents.

*Drugs that may cause decreased aldolase levels include phenothiazines.

Procedure and patient care

 • See inside front cover for Routine Blood Testing.

 • Fasting: verify with laboratory

 • Blood tube commonly used: red

Abnormal findings

 Increased levels

 Hepatocellular diseases (e.g., hepatitis)

 Muscular diseases (e.g., muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis) Muscular trauma (e.g., severe crush injuries) Muscular infections (e.g., trichinosis) Gangrenous processes (e.g., gangrene of the bowel)

Decreased levels

 Myocardial infarction

Late muscular dystrophy

 Hereditary fructose intolerance

 Muscle-wasting disease