What Are the Symptoms and Treatments for High Alkaline Phosphatase Levels?
Because an elevated alkaline phosphatase, or ALP, level can be associated with different medical conditions like rickets, cirrhosis, hepatitis, bone cancer, Paget’s disease, hyperparathyroidism and a deficiency in vitamin D, symptoms and treatment options are different and dependent on the specific cause, as noted by WebMD. The ALP test is performed by drawing blood to check the levels of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase, which is made in different organs of the body like the liver, bones, intestines and kidneys.
The normal level of ALP in adults is between 25 and 100 units per liter, according to WebMD. In addition to the other conditions mentioned, high ALP levels can indicate many different types of conditions including liver cancer, heart problems, sepsis and kidney cancer. Pregnant women also can have elevated levels of ALP in the third trimester. The test is done to help in the diagnosis of any of these conditions.
If the ALP level is high due to hyperparathyroidism, some symptoms are painful bones, fatigue and depression. Treatment can include removal of an over-active parathyroid gland, as stated by the National Institutes of Health.
When liver disease is the cause of an elevated ALP count, then some symptoms are jaundice, abdominal pain and feeling tired. The treatment will depend on the specific type of liver disease the patient may have. However, it can include lifestyle changes, medication, abstaining for alcohol and liver transplant for people with sever liver damage, as explained by Mayo Clinic.
