Just had a very frightening test result APL over 600. Awaiting specialist appointment. Out of the blue but have had some upper abdomen bloating and discomfort for 3 weeks.
Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.
Female 63. Long standing gastric acid and osteoporosis. Take Lansoprazole and AdCal.
Spoke to very pleasant nurse at BLT.
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Jump to replieswrong spelling sorry.
PS at the end of March APL was in normal range .
High Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is common in biliary problems stemming from the gall bladder/gall stones which might co-incide with this being a new/recent problem and having the symptoms you describe.
As a more mature lady the development of gall stones wouldn't be surprising.
I wouldn't start panicking un-necessarily and your future tests should shed light on what the issue is.
Best wishes, Katie
My ALP was 659 a few weeks ago, following a blood test I’d had immediately after an episode of abdominal pain, nausea, dark urine and itchy skin, which I’ve been getting on and off for a few months. I’ve had 4 more blood tests since then and the levels have slowly dropped thankfully, and because I’m being careful not to eat anything that triggers these episodes I haven’t had any of them since that first blood test. I am keen not to eat such a restricted diet forever so I’d like to know what’s going on! GP has been brilliant and very reassuring, and I have an abdominal ultrasound this morning to see what could be causing it. Hope you don’t have to wait too long to get some answers.
Thank you for your reply. Very best wishes to you too.
There is an ALP enzyme test available that indicates if the increase is coming from bone or liver. I had an increased ALP of 200 and am on teriparatide for osteoporosis. Because initially my GGT and ALT were a tiny bit raised (yes I was drinking a couple of glasses a day!) my rheumatologist's registrar set off the liver hares. Ultrasound and Fibroscan were fine except for a very mildly fatty liver which the hepatologist noted was due to NAFLD.
The rheumatologist ordered the specialist ALP test which confirmed the ALP was coming from bone. This is occasionally seen in patients taking teriparatide for severe osteoporosis. A full body isotope scan also indicated Pagets disease which contraindicates teriparatide but the rheumatologist view was that it was most likely due to the teriparatide and to plough on to finish the course. Although there is a "black box" warning in these circumstances statistically the chances of developing a sarcoma are vanishingly small.
In short, request the ALP enzyme test. It will help with the diagnosis.
Thanks I am having the liver/bone origin test today. I don’t take anything for the osteoporosis.
The ALP comes from the liver, bones and intestines. Mine was high (not crazy high like yours) over a year ago so my doctor tested to see where it was coming from. Showed liver and bones, none from intestines.
Now it’s normal.
Make sure you don’t eat a fatty meal the night before the test. It can affect it.
Best of luck. 😀
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