Tuesday's Tip

[DonnaBoll]

Alkaline phosphatase

It is an enzyme released as a response to injury to the bile ducts - not the liver itself. As more cells are injured, the more alk phos is released. Alk phos is not in itself harmful. Higher levels in the blood does not mean more tissue damage. Even lowering the alk phos does not necessarily lessen the risk. It is thought of as a marker in evaluating the disease process. It suggests what might be going on.

An example would be having a temperature is a 'marker' used to indicate that there may possibly be an infection going on somewhere.

[cgstiteler]

thanks for that info. I learned something new.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to cgstiteler]

You are so welcome! Like I told JustChillin68, I'm just trying to give you little bits of information to better understand this disease.

[JustChillin68]

Thanks for that info Donna, I feel like I've so much to learn

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to JustChillin68]

What nice words to wake up to this morning. I'm really trying to make sure even little pieces of information helps everyone understand this disease a bit better.