Excessively elevated alkaline phosphates § pain

[lionlover]

Please can you help me.  My father is a 63-year-old with high blood pressure/cholesterol.  Until the past 3 months he has been relatively healthy, from a healthy family.  His troubles began with an elevated ALP reading of 400.  He quit taking an OTC cholesterol reducer at dr's advice.  1 month later, ALP reading of 2000.  ALT was good.  AST was elevated at 91.  No measure of GGT was evidently taken.  All other blood results were in the normal range.  He has pain in his neck, has pain in his side/back and leg.  He is terribly fatigued.  He is taking flexeral.  He recently stopped taking a blood pressure medication.  A brain scan was negative.  X-rays of neck showed narrowing of the cervical spinal column and arthritis.  After receiving the ALP of 2000, he has been prescribed a bone scan and an abdominal ultrasound.  My question is simply does this sound like a definite diagnosis of liver or bone cancer?  What else could a bone scan show?  We are terribly afraid.
Thank you.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) mostly comes from either from bone disease or liver disease.  Typically, a GGT is also measured and, if elevated, can suggest liver disease.  The fact that the ALT and AST were not markedly elevated suggests an absence of liver pathology.  

That leaves bone diseases - the bone scan is a reasonable test to evaluate for this.  It can suggest if there is any bone-related disease present (i.e. bone cancer, myeloma etc.).  The ultrasound is another screening test for liver disease.  In effect, I would agree with the approach being taken.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[sandybliv]

Did he stop taking blood pressure med's on his own or dr's orders?  Does not sound like cancer.  Don't panic, we always assume the worst.  prayers to you, I am sure the dr will give you a logical explination.

God bless

[lionlover]

Sandybliv--thanks for your comment.  I read your history and hope you are well now.  He is still on blood pressure med. and Flexeral.

[lionlover]

Now I am scared beyond belief and weak with fright.