Re: 3 Yr. Elevated Alkaline Phosatase

Posted By Shelley on May 10, 1999 at 11:02:54
I have had an elevated alk pho level for almost 3 yrs now that my Dr. & specialist can't figure out. My GGTP, ALT, AST, Bilirubin are all in normal ranges. I have been tested for Paget's Disease with blood test, urine test & a bone scan which was normal. I have been tested for Osteoporosis with x-ray, bone density test which were normal. I have had an ultra-sound of my liver & gallbladder, which they said was normal. My doctor told me that whatever it is might not show up for ten years. They are just having me come back every 5-6 mos to be checked again with always the same results. I am a 33 yr old female, I seldom ever drink and I don't do drugs or take Tylenol. I haven't injured or broken any bones. I just got back my annual blood test, and my alk pho level is 182, normal range (38-126). Please, can you tell me what other tests that I can have done? I am getting scared now playing the wait & see game. Thank You...

[Sheley__0]

Posted By Shelley on May 18, 1999 at 07:12:59
Here are a couple of more lab tests results that was left out of the original post. I am not sure if they are of any significance to the above post or not:  
CHLORIDE - 109 (98 - 107)                                                       ALBUMIN  - 3.3 (3.5 - 5.0)                                                      HDL CHOLESTEROL - 33 (>34)                                                      
Again, Thank You for any additional information that you may provide to help me and my Drs. to hopefully find out a possible cause on what is going on.                                                  

[HFHSM.D.-D.M.]

Posted By HFHSM.D.-D.M. on May 21, 1999 at 17:54:13
Dear Shelley:
I appreciate your interesting question.  I might make one simple suggestion.  Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that comes from many potential sources in the body.  The liver is only one of them.  You can actually do a test on the alkaline phosphatase to figure out the source of the alk phos.  The test is called the alk phos isoenzyme test.  If the elevated alk phos is not coming from the liver, that would certainly give us less reason to worry about the liver.  
Good luck with your situation.  If you have additional questions or more information, feel free to post the material back to MEDHELP.  The direct number to our Liver Clinic at Henry Ford at [phone]. We have an active group of liver specialists.  
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation.  Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.  

[Sheley__0]

Posted By Shelley on May 22, 1999 at 23:49:49
Thank You for your suggestion, I will make sure to bring that up when I see my Endocrinologist in August and to see if they had done that test or not. In the meantime If you wouldn't mind, I have a couple of more questions I would like to ask you:
(1)If the enzyme isn't coming from my liver, and all of the tests that I had on     my bones came out normal, what other possible cause would cause an elevated     alkaline phosphatase?
(2)Could it be possible that I just have a normal high level? And if not, is it     not good to have a consistently elevated level?                
Again I would like to Thank You for taking the time to answer my questions, it really means alot to me.

[HFHSM.D.-D.M.]

Posted By HFHSM.D.-D.M. on May 27, 1999 at 18:38:34

Dear Shelley:
I appreciate your follow-up questions and Ill try to elaborate.  Alkaline phosphatase can come from liver, bone, intestine, the placenta (during a pregnancy) and white cells in the blood.  A full list of things that can cause an elevated alkaline phosphatase is extensive and probably would not be that useful to you.  Even if all your bone studies are normal, Id still be interested in doing the alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme test to see if bone is the source.  If it is, you certainly dont have to worry about the liver.
I cant tell you if for sure if your elevated alkaline phosphatase poses a risk to your health.  It depends upon what is causing it.  As physicians, we are aware that some individuals run mild to moderate isolated elevations of their alkaline phosphatase that are stable over an extended period of time and these individuals seem to do fine.  A markedly elevated alkaline phosphatase, an alkaline phosphatase that is rising over time or an alk phos that is associated with other lab or clinical abnormalities certainly needs to be evaluated.
Again, good luck with your situation.  If you have additional questions or more information, feel free to post the material back to MEDHELP.  Again the direct number to our Liver Clinic at Henry Ford at [phone].
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation.  Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.  

[Sheley__0]

Posted By Shelley on June 04, 1999 at 16:36:18
Hi,
It's me again. I just got back a letter with my check today from my insurance company. They have turned me down for life insurance because of my elevated alkaline phosphatase level. My question is, The specialist that I'm seeing is an Endocrinologist. Am I seeing the right doctor for my condition? Could you please recommend a specialist that would be more appropriate about finding a cause for an elevated alkaline phosphatase? I live in Michigan so it wouldn't be a problem for me to see someone at Henry ford. I'm getting to the point where I don't know where else to turn for help. Thank You So Very Much!!










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