Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
****SEE ATTACHED RESULTS**** My Question Stems From A Concern About
Question: ****SEE ATTACHED RESULTS****
My question stems from a concern about my alkaline phosphatase (ALP) measurements:
12/17/15, about 4 YEARS ago - ALP 115 (normal)
5/17/19, about 3 MONTHS ago - ALP 121 (high)
8/8/19, CURRENT MONTH - ALP 124 (high)
8/17/19, CURRENT MONTH - ALP 110 (normal)
8/24/19, CURRENT MONTH - ALP 134 (high)
My thoughts...
My understanding is that since ALT and AST are normal, the elevated ALP may be indicative of a bone issue? ALP, Bone Specific is 18.1 mcg/, which per this lab is elevated, however on a previous question on this forum, the doctor indicated that value actually a normal for my age.
Nevertheless, my doctor has indicated "degenerative cervical disease" as the reason for my current neck, shoulder and side pain. As yet diagnosed is the pain in my left knee, which is moderately severe at times. Both of these causes me to suspect a bone source for the elevated ALP.
My question for you...
(1) What is your assessment of these ALP numbers? Again, you can check the attached test results which contain other markers that may be helpful.
((2) What other tests would you recommend?
Thanks for your help.
My question stems from a concern about my alkaline phosphatase (ALP) measurements:
12/17/15, about 4 YEARS ago - ALP 115 (normal)
5/17/19, about 3 MONTHS ago - ALP 121 (high)
8/8/19, CURRENT MONTH - ALP 124 (high)
8/17/19, CURRENT MONTH - ALP 110 (normal)
8/24/19, CURRENT MONTH - ALP 134 (high)
My thoughts...
My understanding is that since ALT and AST are normal, the elevated ALP may be indicative of a bone issue? ALP, Bone Specific is 18.1 mcg/, which per this lab is elevated, however on a previous question on this forum, the doctor indicated that value actually a normal for my age.
Nevertheless, my doctor has indicated "degenerative cervical disease" as the reason for my current neck, shoulder and side pain. As yet diagnosed is the pain in my left knee, which is moderately severe at times. Both of these causes me to suspect a bone source for the elevated ALP.
My question for you...
(1) What is your assessment of these ALP numbers? Again, you can check the attached test results which contain other markers that may be helpful.
((2) What other tests would you recommend?
Thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
Degeneration of cervical spine would by default affect levels of ALP.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query.
Have gone through your query and files attached sir,
Your first question takes me back to my first year of medicine(Old school no hi Fi stuff) where I was taught not to treat numbers rather treat a patient. At that time numbers were not available so patients were treated symptomatically.
There are millions of parameters in our body and keeping each parameters fixed exactly to normal value is not possible for body. Any thing including our cars etc as they get aged their performance decreases and no amount of service or maintaing can make it at par with brand new car. The same is true with our body my dear patient. As we grow old few numbers might get mild to moderate deranged but just a single enzyme is not enough to explain the complete story.
From Gastro point of view your liver is perfectly fine.
From bone point of view before making any comment( Wild guess) few tests should be done
1) Serum calcium level
2)Serum vitamin D 3 levels
3) Uric acid in blood.
4)X Ray of the part where it's paining to see concentration of calcium.
Lastly if you are diagnosed with degenerative cervical spondylosis that means that levels of ALP would be on higher side. So in your case these levels are just normal.
Before taking any treatment for bone these baseline tests have to be done.
Hope I was clear and easy to understand.
Follow ups are welcome.
Thank you.
Degeneration of cervical spine would by default affect levels of ALP.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query.
Have gone through your query and files attached sir,
Your first question takes me back to my first year of medicine(Old school no hi Fi stuff) where I was taught not to treat numbers rather treat a patient. At that time numbers were not available so patients were treated symptomatically.
There are millions of parameters in our body and keeping each parameters fixed exactly to normal value is not possible for body. Any thing including our cars etc as they get aged their performance decreases and no amount of service or maintaing can make it at par with brand new car. The same is true with our body my dear patient. As we grow old few numbers might get mild to moderate deranged but just a single enzyme is not enough to explain the complete story.
From Gastro point of view your liver is perfectly fine.
From bone point of view before making any comment( Wild guess) few tests should be done
1) Serum calcium level
2)Serum vitamin D 3 levels
3) Uric acid in blood.
4)X Ray of the part where it's paining to see concentration of calcium.
Lastly if you are diagnosed with degenerative cervical spondylosis that means that levels of ALP would be on higher side. So in your case these levels are just normal.
Before taking any treatment for bone these baseline tests have to be done.
Hope I was clear and easy to understand.
Follow ups are welcome.
Thank you.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
