ALP vs Bone Specific ALP

[Hillwalker87]

Hi everyone. This is a question based on my previous post; I have now been informed that the NHS will monitor his ALP as standard and that he will be able to get access to these upon request. I was wondering what the general consensus is regarding the difference between the two? Will the general ALP suffice or would it be prudent to seek a bone specific test? Thanks again!

[LearnAll]

Approximately 30 % to 40% of total ALP comprises of Bone ALP. So if ALP is say 100 then, by calculation Bone part of ALP is about 35 (plus minus 5} So total ALP does give a rough estimate of Bone ALP. But this calculation and estimate is valid ONLY if your AST,ALT and Bilirubin are in normal range. Otherwise this formula will give you wrong Bone ALP number.

If you want to be more accurate Bone specific ALP (BALP) gives you exact number of ALP coming from Bone.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to LearnAll]

That's brill LA, thanks

[Tall_Allen]

Bone ALP is only elevated when there are bone metastases or another degenerative bone disease. Elevated liver ALP is an indicator that there may be liver problems, perhaps from meds or from progressive disease.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks TA

[MateoBeach]

If you have known bone mets then get bone specific ALP to monitor. If scans of bones have been clear then total ALP will be sufficient.

[Hillwalker87 in reply to MateoBeach]

Thanks!

[EdBar]

I used to get bone ALP tested regularly back when I was a patient of Snuffy Myers then just went with standard ALP for quite a while since my PSA was undetectable. The thought being as long as standard ALP was in normal range that was enough and if it became elevated we could zero in on bone ALP. Flash forward to 7 years from dx and now that my PSA has been flickering into detectable again, I have opted to at least get a current baseline read of bone ALP and go from there. I was originally dx with numerous mets.

Ed

[Hillwalker87 in reply to EdBar]

Thanks for your input! How is a bone specific usually taken? Is this a blood test also?

[EdBar in reply to Hillwalker87]

Yes, just ask your MO