Could toxins be causing rise in ALP?

[islandanonymous]

My ALP levels have been normal in the past 10 years since I was diagnosed with PBC and resulting cirrhosis. Now all of a sudden my ALP is rising and has been above normal the past three blood tests this year. My latest ALP level was 141...I know that isn't super high but I'm a little concerned and wonder why it's rising after all this time.

So here's my question, which is probably strange but here goes: I joined a gym a year ago and coincidentally my ALP started rising ever since. Do you think that toxins in the gym could be responsible? We have to spray the machinery with antiseptic after every use. They also always seem to wash the floor with some kind of chemically-smelling stuff most times I'm there. So I wonder if I'm taking in toxins.

I guess I'm just looking for a reason for the change in my ALP level. I'm not doing anything else differently. I have a great diet and get lots of exercise (I walk a lot too).

I'm actually thinking of quitting the gym for a few months to see if it makes any difference.

What do you think?

[Candy12]

Is it possible your over training, there are reasearch papers on how exercise affects blood markers for things like cholesterol, glucose, and CRP so it’s maybe worth looking into. Rather than give up your gym maybe slow down a bit and let your body rest and repair between sessions and see if that makes the difference.

You could also ask the gym what chemical there using , being a business they should have a copy of the safety data sheet on the premises , perhaps they let you read a copy. Or at least get them to look at what cautionary measures are needed. I say this because I doubt they even looked at it. For example most chemicals state to be used in well ventilated areas, so do they open windows while washing the floor and what about the spray you use, I’d want to know the safety information before I used any commercial chemical. ( sorry I worked in health and safety at work and there are some nasty chemicals out there) it’s possible they just go to the local supermarket and get them and there reasonably safe. But it’s important to know what your expected to use.

[islandanonymous in reply to Candy12]

Thank you for your input. I don't overtrain because I hurt myself a little a couple of times in the beginning so I tend to use fairly light weights and I don't spend much time in the gym. I've always done some free weights at home though. I was basically doing some weights every day for different muscles...maybe I should stop doing that.

I guess I could ask about the chemicals they use at the gym. The gym isn't well ventilated and they don't open the doors when cleaning floors unless it's summer.

[DonnaBoll Administrator]

Candy 12 had some good suggestions. Remember though, that your alk phos is only 141. That is really good especially since you've said you have cirrhosis. Just continue to have your labs drawn every 3-6 months and look at the overall trend. So glad you asked this question though. I know we all get so stressed when our alk phos goes up. It can be for many reasons. Stress is a big one... let us know what your next labs show.

[islandanonymous]

Thanks for your advice! I guess I've taken it for granted how lucky I am to have gotten by for so long without any bad changes. I just want to make sure that my ALP isn't going up because of something I'm doing (or not doing). My gastroenterologist even told me that I only need blood tests every 6 months...it was my GP that suggested every 3 months. So I guess my GE isn't super concerned. Then again, he never seems concerned about anything. I only get to talk to him by phone after my yearly fibroscan, and it's for about 5-10 minutes when he does almost all the talking. Then I think of questions later.

I'm so glad I found this forum.