What Does It Mean If You Have an Increased Alkaline Phosphatase?

Have you recently been told by your doctor that you have an increased alkaline phosphatase level? Elevated alkaline phosphatase levels are not uncommonly seen on routine laboratory tests and, in some cases, can indicate a serious health problem. Here’s how to better understand this laboratory finding.

How Are They Determined?

Alkaline phosphatase levels are usually checked by drawing a tube of blood and sending it to the lab for testing. Alkaline phosphase is found in all tissues of the body, but most of it is derived from the liver and the bones. For this reason, elevated alkaline phosphatase levels can be found with liver or bone disease and can sometimes be the first indication of an underlying medical problem. It’s impossible to tell from a routine lab test whether the elevated alkaline phosphatase arises from the liver or frp, bone. To find out the source, a sample can be sent to the lab for fractionation to determine its source. Since liver enzymes are usually tested at the same time as alkaline phosphatase levels, they may give some indication as to whether liver disease is causing the alkaline phosphatase level to be high.

What If Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase Arises From the Liver?

Most commonly this occurs due to obstruction of the bile duct due to a stone or sludge. Diseases of the liver such as hepatitis can also cause elevated alkaline phosphatase levels, although usually other liver enzymes will be elevated as well. Your doctor will probably need to schedule you for further studies to rule out bile duct obstruction, gall bladder disease, or liver problems all of which can cause an increased alkaline phosphatase level. If it’s found that the alkaline phosphatase arises from bone as opposed to the liver, various bone diseases may need to be ruled out with additional studies.

Does An Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase Level Always Indicate Disease?

In some cases, alkaline phosphatase levels can be elevated in the absence of any disease at all. Certain medications, even common ones such as birth control pills and antibiotics, can elevate alkaline phosphatase levels. You should make your doctor aware of any medications you’re taking if you have an elevated alkaline phosphatase. Another common cause of high alkaline phosphatase is pregnancy. This usually occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy when the placenta produces its own source of alkaline phosphatase.

What’s the Bottom Line?

It’s important to follow up with your doctor if you have an elevated alkaline phosphatase level to rule out bone and liver disease. Although it doesn’t always indicate serious medical problems, this is a lab result that needs to be taken seriously.