"upper limits of normal"
When we have any blood work done, there is always a 'normal' range given with our results.
Hospitals or labs can somethings differ as to what their 'normal' is. Always look at what your results are according to that normal.
According to Dr. Jones, in the UK a good response to treatment is if your bilirubin is less than one times the upper limit of normal. The alk phos 'normal' of less than 1.67 the upper limits of normal is considered a responder.
I know that The PBC Foundation is working tirelessly to have this changed. They feel that results should be whatever the normal is for that blood test - no leeway of < one time the normal limits of your bilirubin or less than 1.67 times the normal range given by the lab for the alk phos result. Dr. Jones feels that within the next few years, there will be no leeway in what is considered normal. If you alk phos is elevated at all, Urso should be started right away.