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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does An Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase In Blood Indicates?

MY DOCTOR SAYS MY ALCOLILIDE PHOSPHATES IN MY BLOOD IS HIGH AND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN MY LIVER . SHE WANTS TO DO A SONAGRAM ON LIVE R . WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? AND IS THIS SERIOUS? MY INSURANSE WONT PAY FOR THIS AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY IT OUT OF POCKET.
Mon, 2 Feb 2015
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Pain Medicine & Palliative Care Specialist,  's  Response
Hi there,
Thanks for using HCM.
One of the causes of elevated alkaline phosphotase is obstruction to the bile flow. This obstruction could be either inside the liver substance or in the bile duct. In these cases the liver panel would be abnormal. There would be a raise in the bilirubin level especially the direct component. A ultrasound scan may show dilated bile ducts. If the obstruction is inside the liver substance the ultrasound scan may not show it and a liver biopsy may have to be done to confirm it. This obstruction could be harmless as in gallstones in the bile duct or may indicate serious conditions like malignancy, primary biliary cirrhosis etc.
There are other causes of high alkaline phosphatase also. Bone disease can cause an increase in alkaline phosphatase level.
Pregnancy can cause a raise in alkaline phosphatase.

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What Does An Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase In Blood Indicates?

Hi there, Thanks for using HCM. One of the causes of elevated alkaline phosphotase is obstruction to the bile flow. This obstruction could be either inside the liver substance or in the bile duct. In these cases the liver panel would be abnormal. There would be a raise in the bilirubin level especially the direct component. A ultrasound scan may show dilated bile ducts. If the obstruction is inside the liver substance the ultrasound scan may not show it and a liver biopsy may have to be done to confirm it. This obstruction could be harmless as in gallstones in the bile duct or may indicate serious conditions like malignancy, primary biliary cirrhosis etc. There are other causes of high alkaline phosphatase also. Bone disease can cause an increase in alkaline phosphatase level. Pregnancy can cause a raise in alkaline phosphatase. Is this answer helpful?