Overview
Aldolase is an enzyme that helps convert glucose into energy. It is found throughout the body but is primarily found in high levels in muscle tissue. It is elevated in the bloodstream when a person has muscle or liver damage or disease.
In the past, the aldolase blood test was ordered to diagnose and monitor certain conditions related to skeletal muscle and/or liver disease. It largely has been replaced by other enzyme tests such as CK (creatine kinase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), and AST (aspartate aminotransferase), which are more specific indicators of muscle or liver damage. The aldolase test still receives some use in the monitoring of people with muscular dystrophy and a few other rare conditions affecting skeletal muscles.
