Aldolase blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Aldolase is an enzyme that helps cells break down glucose for energy. It is present in many tissues but is especially concentrated in skeletal muscle, with smaller amounts in the liver and brain. When muscle fibres are damaged or inflamed, aldolase leaks into the bloodstream, so a raised level can be a sign that muscle tissue is under stress.

In practice, aldolase is usually measured with creatine kinase (CK), which is the more common first test for muscle problems. Aldolase can add information in some inflammatory muscle conditions where CK is only mildly raised. Strenuous exercise, injury, some medicines and liver conditions can also affect the level. The price includes the blood sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have ongoing muscle aches, cramps or weakness without a clear cause.
• You have muscle pain after starting a new medicine, such as a statin, and would like a check alongside your prescriber's advice.
• You train hard and want to understand how your muscles respond to heavy sessions.
• You have a known inflammatory muscle or autoimmune condition and your clinician has asked for monitoring.
• Your GP has already checked CK and suggested aldolase for more detail.

Understanding your result

Your report shows your aldolase result with the laboratory reference range. A raised level points to muscle stress or damage, which may simply reflect recent hard exercise or an injury, but can also be seen in inflammatory muscle conditions, muscular dystrophies, liver disease or with some medicines. Your practitioner will read it in the context of your symptoms, activity and other results.

Aldolase cannot identify the cause of muscle symptoms by itself, and a normal level does not exclude every muscle condition. If you have severe muscle pain with very dark urine, or sudden weakness, seek urgent medical advice rather than waiting for a test. Any result outside the range is a prompt for discussion, not a diagnosis.

Preparing for your test

Avoid strenuous or unaccustomed exercise for at least 48 hours before your sample, as this can raise aldolase. Fasting is not usually required, but we will confirm when you book. Keep taking prescribed medicines and let us know what you take, including statins and supplements.

For a much wider review that includes aldolase alongside many other markers, see Omnia Signature. If you train regularly, Sports Performance looks at markers relevant to recovery. For other options, see every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is an aldolase blood test in Chiswick?

An aldolase blood test costs £89 at Omnia. The price includes the sample at our W4 clinic, analysis at an accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

What is the difference between aldolase and CK?

Both are muscle enzymes that rise when muscle is damaged. CK is the standard first test, while aldolase is usually added to give extra detail in certain muscle conditions.

Can the gym raise my aldolase?

Yes. Hard or new types of exercise can raise muscle enzymes for several days, which is why we ask you to rest from heavy training before the test.

Can this test diagnose a muscle disease?

No single blood test can. Aldolase is one piece of information, and conditions such as myositis are diagnosed by specialists using a combination of symptoms, examination, blood tests and other investigations.