Alk Phos ticking up after being normal...

[JennyCville]

Hi friends - I've been gone for a couple of years, actually. I was diagnosed with PBC in 2016, with Alk Phos then at 388. Upon taking URSO my numbers dropped to a normal level, but now are trending up. I've jumped from a 120 to 146 in 6 months. I've had several bouts with diverticulitis - not sure if that is a factor. Has anyone else had this and then corrected? And if so what did you do? Thank you!

[iagra]

I was also diagnosed with PBC in 2016. At the time, my ALP was 375. Once I started taking URSO, it was steadily declining, but, never became normal. Last time (about 6 months ago), it was borderline normal, at 118 (upper range limit was 117). But, this time (2 weeks ago), it went up to 138. Same jump as yours. My gastro warned me that my ALP will never be normal again and will always fluctuate. I didn't talk to her yet since the last lab. But, unless there is a steady increase, I wouldn't worry about it. Next time your number maybe the same or lower.

[JennyCville in reply to iagra]

Thank you - this is reassuring. Be well!

[iagra in reply to JennyCville]

Thank you! Stay well!

[Hidden]

Hi,

It does fluctuate, even day to day so you’d probably find if you had a blood test today that it will be different again.

They like to keep it under 200 in the UK so I wouldn’t worry too much.

I don’t know anything about whether diverticulitis could cause it to raise, might be one to ask your Dr.

[JennyCville in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! This is reassuring - please be well!

[PBCRobert Partner]

There are a whole number of reasons why liver counts go up and down (eaten/fasting, recent head cold, broken bones, even just bruising can affect liver test results).

From test to test, they allow for a 15% deviation in Alk Phos. They are looking at long term trends also. It is very rare for an Urso responder to suddenly become unresponsive to Urso. So please look at other potential reasons.

If normal at your lab is 117, then 118 would not be worth concern.

Lab tests, such as Alm Phos, tend to be looked at in terms of ULN (upper limit of normal) as different labs have slightly different ULNs. 130 could be normal in one lab but high in another.

I hope that helps,

Robert.

[JennyCville in reply to PBCRobert]

This really does help. I've had a terrible bout of diverticulitis, with major dehydration...so perhaps that's it. I was so pleased to be around 108-117, the 146 surprised and worried me. But now I'm exhaling and just working on being as healthy as I can be!

[Sona_akb in reply to JennyCville]

I just experienced same thing in my last lab 5 months ago. It was 141 and then jumped 148. It was scary at first but then I discussed here with my dear friends and with my hepato, they both said fluctuations aren’t uncommon. So I am waiting till my next appointment (1-2months later).

Personally I think it was because I did the test in a different laboratory and believe they may using different scales.