Anyone ever have elevated alkaline phosphatase levels?
I have just gone through a complete physical and a liver ultrasound was normal.
I'm wondering if my dinking binge prior to the test was a factor.
This is not good timing as my follow up appt for ADHD is on the 11th.

It's certainly possible that your drinking prior to the test would elevate your ALP levels! They will probably want to do more testing to determine the cause of the elevated ALP levels. But you should tell them about the drinking either way!

It's certainly possible that your drinking prior to the test would elevate your ALP levels! They will probably want to do more testing to determine the cause of the elevated ALP levels. But you should tell them about the drinking either way!
You got it, she has already ordered a bone scan.
I had two blood tests in the same week but I was hitting the booze pretty hard that week.

Anyone ever have elevated alkaline phosphatase levels? I have just gone through a complete physical and a liver ultrasound was normal. I'm wondering if my dinking binge prior to the test was a factor.


steviefranchise

I have also had slightly elevated alkaline phosphatase levels for 8 or 9 years. I also had an ultrasoiund, which was clear. No one has been able to tell me why my levels are elevated, and I have not found a reason doing internet searches.

I have about 2-3 drinks a year. So alcohol is not the reason, at least for me. About a month ago my daughter, who is 20 also showed elevated levels, also had an ultrasound, also clear.

I am concerned about this, liver function is extremely important. I know that in eastern medicine, they try to detoxify the liver using various methods of herbs, etc.

If anyone knows more about this, information would be appreciated.

My older brother, who was also inatentive ADHD died of liver failure when he was 40, but he was drinking a LOT, which none of us knew. He lived pretty far away then.

So stop with the binge drinking, already! I know easier said than done, but perhaps if you have the right meds prescribed you won't feel the need to self medicate. However, I don't think 1 episode of binge drinking was what caused the problem.

I don't think it should have a profound effect on your ADHD diagnosis, but that depends on how high the levels were, I guess. It probably does mean that you need meds for the ADHD. But you doctor should be able to sort it out.

Good luck. ;)

1. What are your medications?

2. Do you take Tylenol?

3. Are you diabetic or have metabolic syndrome (obesity/high blood pressure/big waist/high blood fats/cholesterol)?

NB. Drinking also elevates GGT. Your Doctor can check that if she thinks that your Liver Enzyme is up due to alcohol.

How high is your Alk phos? A couple of things to note:
Alk phos can come from bone or liver (have they checked the isoenzymes?).
Liver damage will also have elevated AST, ALT and GGT (GGT is the most sensitive and can even increase due to a long run in the morning before a blood test, and increases first after alcohol consumption).
The normal range only covers 95 percent of normal people (it is a statistics thing to keep in mind if the Alk phos is not hugely elevated).
It is always worth ruling out anything that can be indicated by enzymes but, if everything checks out ok then keep your paperwork for future reference (your baseline).

1. What are your medications?

2. Do you take Tylenol?

3. Are you diabetic or have metabolic syndrome (obesity/high blood pressure/big waist/high blood fats/cholesterol)?

NB. Drinking also elevates GGT. Your Doctor can check that if she thinks that your Liver Enzyme is up due to alcohol.I do not use Tylenol and am just about 15lbs overweight and in decent shape.
The only med that I have used is Celebrex for a shoulder injury.
I do have fairly high cholesterol appr. 250 and tri's are at appr 270.
I had a heart scan and my calcium scoring was 0.

Sounds like I should quit drinking and take another blood test.

Thanks QG!
I see that you are also up at 1:00 am. That's typical for me.

steviefranchise

I have also had slightly elevated alkaline phosphatase levels for 8 or 9 years. I also had an ultrasoiund, which was clear. No one has been able to tell me why my levels are elevated, and I have not found a reason doing internet searches.

I have about 2-3 drinks a year. So alcohol is not the reason, at least for me. About a month ago my daughter, who is 20 also showed elevated levels, also had an ultrasound, also clear.

I am concerned about this, liver function is extremely important. I know that in eastern medicine, they try to detoxify the liver using various methods of herbs, etc.

If anyone knows more about this, information would be appreciated.

My older brother, who was also inatentive ADHD died of liver failure when he was 40, but he was drinking a LOT, which none of us knew. He lived pretty far away then.

So stop with the binge drinking, already! I know easier said than done, but perhaps if you have the right meds prescribed you won't feel the need to self medicate. However, I don't think 1 episode of binge drinking was what caused the problem.

I don't think it should have a profound effect on your ADHD diagnosis, but that depends on how high the levels were, I guess. It probably does mean that you need meds for the ADHD. But you doctor should be able to sort it out.

Good luck. ;)Jeaniebug,
Thank you for your post!
I found this link and hope it might help answer a few of your questions.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/413420

BTW, they said that my liver ultrasound and liver panel is completely normal.
Bone scan this Wednesday.
Regards,
stevo

Thanks, Stevo!

Unfortunately I do not have access to MedScape since I'm not a subscriber. I hope bone scan turns out OK!

PJ :cool:

It was kind of a scary week after the results of the bone scan. I have three areas of abnormalities which the doc had concerns that I might have signs multiple myeloma (bone cancer). I could actually see those areas light up during the bone scan and it really gets the wheels turning!
IT REALLY GETS YOU THINKING ABOUT THINGS WHILE GETTING MORE TESTS!
Anyway, the good news is after x-rays on the areas and more blood tests, it was determined that I do not have MM and it appears that these cold spots are probably due to a broken rib from waterskiing about a year ago and inflamation to my shoulder and knee from playing racquetball.
A list of the tests that I had:
Multiple bloodwork including complete liver panel, liver and gull bladder ultrasound, echocardiogram, heart scan, bone scan, and x-rays.
The cause of the elevated alkaline phosphatase levels is not determined and it is known that some people have this without an explanation why. (Well I hear that heavy drinking can cause this too but my liver is fine.) http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Now I just need to focus on getting back in shape and eating well again to get the cholesterol down and will get another exam and bloodwork in February 07.

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND GET THAT PHYSICAL!

I have a follow up appt. with my new psychologist (I always have a difficult time spelling psychologist) on Monday concerning ADD. I have never been to a psych before but found my first exam to be pleasant and it like that she understands ADD well.

Stevo,

I'm glad to hear you're OK. However stressful all this has been, you now know what to work on.

About three years ago my cholesterol was fine borderline high, but my triglycerides were out the roof. I changed my diet to an essentially vegetarian/mediterranean diet and dropped the bad and raised the good cholesterol and lowered my triglycerides to a normal level. I'm not as strict with my diet now but I eat OK and exercise.

Glad to hear everything's all right.

SL :)