Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum from vein)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 1–3 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Screen for muscle or liver damage without needing a doctor's referral
- Quick, confidential results with physician review available virtually
- Easy online ordering with walk-in sample collection at convenient locations
- No fasting required—get tested anytime that fits your schedule
- Monitor muscle disease activity and response to treatment over time
- Affordable preventive insight into muscle and liver health
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing unexplained muscle weakness, cramps, or stiffness
- People with symptoms suggesting liver dysfunction or damage
- Those with a family history of muscular dystrophy or myopathies
- Patients monitoring inflammatory muscle conditions like polymyositis or dermatomyositis
- Anyone seeking early detection of muscle or liver tissue injury
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Select your test and complete your purchase securely.
- Visit a lab — Go to any partnering lab location for a simple blood draw.
- Get results — Receive confidential results within 1-3 days.
FAQ
What does the Aldolase Blood Test measure? It measures aldolase enzyme levels in your blood to detect damage to muscle or liver tissue.
Do I need to fast before this test? No fasting is required. Just avoid vigorous exercise 12 hours before your blood draw.
How accurate is the aldolase test? It has moderate accuracy and works best when combined with other enzyme tests, such as creatine kinase (Mayo Clinic Labs 2020).
Can this test diagnose muscular dystrophy on its own? No. Elevated aldolase suggests muscle damage, but it should be interpreted in the context of other tests and clinical findings.
What happens if my aldolase level is elevated? Your doctor may recommend additional testing, such as CK or ALT, to identify the underlying cause.
Is this test useful for liver health? Yes. Aldolase is found in liver tissue and elevates with liver injury, though ALT is more specific.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Aldolase Blood Test measures aldolase enzyme levels in your blood to screen for muscle or liver damage. Aldolase is an enzyme found primarily in skeletal muscles, the brain, and the liver, where it breaks down sugars to produce energy. When cells containing aldolase are damaged, the enzyme is released into the bloodstream (Mount Sinai Health Library 2023).
This test helps diagnose muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis. It also helps determine whether muscle weakness originates in the nervous system or in the muscle tissue itself. Additionally, aldolase testing monitors disease activity and treatment response in patients with confirmed muscle disorders (American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine 2022).
Who would benefit from this test?
You may benefit from aldolase testing if you have symptoms of muscle or liver conditions, including muscle weakness, cramps, stiffness, spasms, or muscle pain (myalgia). Health-conscious individuals seeking early detection or monitoring of muscle disorders without a physician's referral find this test particularly valuable (Healthline 2018).
People with a family history of muscular dystrophy or inflammatory myopathies should consider this test for preventive screening. It's also useful for those monitoring chronic conditions affecting skeletal muscles or liver function.
When should I order an Aldolase Blood Test?
Order this test when you suspect muscle or liver damage, especially if you experience unexplained muscle weakness, pain, or stiffness. It's valuable as part of the diagnostic workup for suspected muscle diseases or when monitoring known muscle disorders.
Consider testing if you have elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels or symptoms suggestive of inflammatory myopathy. Repeat testing may be recommended by your healthcare provider to track disease progression or treatment effectiveness.
How do I interpret the results?
Normal (varies by lab)
- Indicates healthy muscle and liver tissue
- No immediate action; continue routine health monitoring
Mildly elevated
- May suggest minor muscle or liver injury
- Repeat the test; consider CK or ALT testing
Moderately elevated
- Suggests likely muscle damage or liver dysfunction
- Consult a physician for a comprehensive workup
Significantly elevated
- Indicates significant tissue damage or possible myopathy
- Seek urgent medical evaluation with additional testing
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required for the Aldolase Blood Test. However, avoid vigorous exercise or strenuous physical activity for at least 12 hours before your blood draw, as intense muscle use can temporarily elevate aldolase levels.
Inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you're taking, as some may affect test results. Stay well-hydrated before your appointment to make blood collection easier.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial screening for muscle symptoms: Once, with follow-up based on results
- Monitoring active muscle disease: Every 3–6 months or as directed by your physician
- Evaluating treatment response: As recommended by your healthcare provider
- Preventive screening (family history): Annually or biennially
Why early detection matters
Early detection of muscle or liver injury through aldolase testing enables timely intervention, reducing long-term disability and healthcare costs. Muscle diseases like polymyositis have a prevalence of about 1 in 100,000, where aldolase monitoring proves clinically useful (AANEM 2023).
Identifying muscle damage early allows for prompt treatment initiation, potentially slowing disease progression. For liver conditions, early detection supports lifestyle modifications and medical management before serious complications develop. Monitoring aldolase levels helps track treatment effectiveness and adjust therapy as needed.
Related tests you may consider
Creatine Kinase (CK) Test — More sensitive and specific for muscle injury; complements aldolase for better diagnosis
Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) — Assesses liver and kidney function, which play key roles in processing and clearing aldolase and other muscle-related enzymes from the bloodstream.
Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase (LD) Test — Helps distinguish between muscle and liver damage, adding diagnostic clarity
