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.
Because aldolase levels are elevated in the bloodstream when a person has muscle damage, the aldolase blood test may be ordered to diagnose and monitor certain conditions related to skeletal muscle. It largely has been replaced by other muscle enzyme tests, especially CK (creatine kinase). However, a minority of people with muscle pain may have an elevated aldolase level even though their CK is normal. Therefore, the test may sometimes be requested by rheumatologists in addition to CK.