Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase (LAP) Wikipedia entry:
The Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase (LAP) is a protein which plays an essential role in maintaining normal blood cells. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that fight infections, cancerous growths and other diseases. They have their own oxygen supply from hemoglobin in red blood cells and they use oxygen to produce energy. When a person’s blood contains too much oxygen, it causes problems for the body.
Lap-score test is used to measure how many lymphocytes there are in your bloodstream. If the number of lymphocytes is low or high, then this may indicate whether you have certain types of cancer such as leukemia or non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
There are two kinds of tests that can be done with the Lap-Score Test:
1. A simple test where you simply count the number of lymphocytes in your blood.
2. An advanced test where a sample of blood is taken from your arm and tested for the presence of certain proteins called enzymes.
These enzymes are needed to break down substances like sugars, fats and drugs that cause various health problems when they enter the body.
The more lymphocytes you have in your blood, the more likely it is that you will suffer from a specific type of cancer called leukemia.
A low number of lymphocytes in your blood suggests that you may be suffering from a different type of cancer called non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The test is carried out using a small sample of your blood, usually from your arm. A health care professional will take a small needle containing a small amount of your blood, which will then be tested.
The procedure is painless and similar to giving blood.
Do not schedule your test if:
You have a severe infection or you develop a fever or chills within the 48 hours before your scheduled test.
You are unable to follow instructions and you are unwilling to remain still for the length of time required for the test.
