High Alk Phos

Hi,
In 2002 I went to an endrocronologist because my hair was thinning. She did all the thyroid etc. tests and the only thing that came back abnormal was my alk phos reading...it was somewhere in the 100s. She sent me for a bone scan to rule out Pagets or other bone issues. My family dr. also sent me for a liver scan to rule out a blocked bile duct or other liver issues. I did have some fatty liver present but no other problems. Since 2002, every time I get a blood test my alk phos has gotten higher and higher. I was just turned down for life insurance because I had a 572 alk phos and a urinalysis result of Protein/Creatine-mg/gCRE of 250. I would love to get some guidence from you as to what else I should have checked out or should I continue to not be concerned as my Dr. keeps suggesting? Thanks, Laura

[Enoch Choi, MD]

An elevated alkaline phosphatase is a non-specific test and can be elevated from abnormalities in bone, lung, liver and other organs.  It's reasonable to look into why it's progressively increasing since it's a definite trend.  A gastroenterologist can help if your own primary care physician can't find a reason

Enoch Choi, MD

[youhoo57]

A related discussion, Gradually increasing lipase levels was started.