I know they are some MD'S out there who could answer this for me.?

Question

Had gallbladder removed almost 2 years ago. Having trouble with my alkaline phos. being elevated from 120 to 140, but all liver enzymes are WNL. Hepatitus profile negative. My doctor thinks I should see a gastroenterologist, but what can he tell me about this? Please help with some information on this.

Answer 1

Elevated alkaline phosphatase could be due to bone (high heat-labile fraction) or liver (high heat-stable fraction) problems, so your doctor might want to get the ALP fractionated. May not be due to your liver since other liver enzymes are normal, and less likely to be due to gallstones, but a gastroenterologist might want to do more tests to see if there is blockage of the bile ducts.

Causes of raised bone ALP include osteomalacia (vitamin D deficiency, possibly associated with low calcium and phosphate levels), primary or secondary tumours of the bone, recent fractures, and Paget's disease.

There are many other causes (medication etc) which your doctor may have excluded before deciding to send you to a gastroenterologist (see articles).

Answer 2

Alkaline phosphatase can be elevated in either liver problems (especially obstruction of the ducts draining bile from the liver) or bone problems. A gastroenterologist could help evaluate the former issue. Hopefully your doctor had a good reason for deciding that this was a liver problem rather than a bone problem (or even no problem at all -- your levels are not especially high) -- you could ask if you have a chance. Here is some more information:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003497.htm

I hope it is nothing serious.

Answer 3

I know that some types of calcium taken in large amounts can raise your phos. I have that problem, I have to take mega doses of calcium so I have to take a prescribed kind that doesn't raise my phos. level now and it does cost more. This is only one possibility. I am not an MD.