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Bone, liver, or cancer? How to find out the real cause of elevated alkaline phosphatase?
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme present in a variety of human tissues. When its concentration in the blood exceeds the normal range, alkaline phosphatase will increase. These enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphate esters in an alkaline environment, and elevated ALP levels may indicate underlying health problems. Whether it's a liver, bone or other problem, every possible cause deserves careful investigation.
The role of alkaline phosphatase in the human body is to transport chemicals across cell membranes, and different tissues affect its release.
Why does ALP increase?
When Alkaline Phosphatase Levels are abnormally elevated, it can be confirmed through blood testing. The following are common causes of elevated ALP:
Liver problems
The liver is one of the main sources of ALP, and liver diseases include:
- Biliary duct obstruction
- Hepatitis
- cirrhosis
- Liver cancer and its metastasis
"Drug poisoning may also cause liver ALP to increase, such as antibiotics and anti-epileptic drugs."
Bone problems
Bone diseases such as:
- Parkinson's disease
- Bone metastatic cancer
- Broken bones
Obesity
Research shows that obese patients generally have higher serum ALP levels than non-obese people. This may be related to changes in fat metabolism in the body.
Kidney problems
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may also experience elevated ALP, which may indicate a risk of death in patients with this disease.
Cancer
In cancer patients, elevated ALP levels often result from bone or liver metastasis of cancer cells.
Diagnosis
In order to understand the cause of elevated ALP, doctors may perform an alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme test. This test is designed to isolate ALP from different tissue sources. The normal ALP range is 44 to 147 U/L (units per liter).
During the diagnosis process, your doctor may recommend several additional tests to get a more complete picture of your condition.
Treatment
Treatment for elevated ALP focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the elevation. The following are common treatments:
- Treat basic diseases
- Discontinue use of drugs that may affect ALP
- Adjust your diet to increase your intake of vitamin D
- The establishment of a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise
“Once the cause of the increase is determined, ALP levels usually return to normal after effective treatment.”
Conclusion
In summary, elevated alkaline phosphatase is an indicator of a variety of diseases, and various health problems may be hidden behind it. Medical professionals need to examine the causes from multiple aspects to develop an appropriate treatment plan. When your test results show elevated ALP, how do you evaluate the potential impact of this health signal?
