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How important is Alkaline Phosphatase test?

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Posted 4/8/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)

My doctor uses Alkaline Phosphatase level as a marker to see if the cancer has spread. It has always been in the normal range (37-159). I don't read about this very much here and wondering if my Dr. is just blowing smoke up the arse. nono Is anyone else using this test as a marker like PSA level?

Thanks, Bertb

Posted 4/8/2013 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Bert,

Increased levels of Alkaline Phosphatase are an indicator of bone metastasis. If you have mets, the level will increase. Good news is your is staying in the normal range.

Goodlife
Posted 4/8/2013 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
I think it can also indicate high calcium levels
Posted 4/8/2013 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
littlenm, would it be possible to let us know your Husbands Alkaline Phsphatase level? if you don't mind of course.
Posted 4/8/2013 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I of course would not mind but I will have to look and see if they checked that. We have another appointment coming up soon and I think it is planned then.

I will let you know if I have anything so far
Posted 4/8/2013 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
81 on Jan 30, 2013
Posted 4/8/2013 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
littlenm, that is very interesting. A level of 81 is still within the "normal" level. So I'm more confused now then I was this morning.
Thanks so very much for your input!!
Posted 4/8/2013 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I noticed that too but then I think it is an indicator that the Lupron had slowed/stopped the bone met growth. I think if it went up over normal it would mean that they are growing again. That is likely what your doctor is trying to monitor. Might be a bit more sensitive then looking for microscopic mets on a bone scan

My husband's Total Bilirubin was high but I don't know what that means. Any ideas????
Posted 4/8/2013 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I get this checked monthly as well.
Posted 4/8/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
littlenm, this is what I found on Google regarding billirubin. Don't know what it has to do with PCa.

Higher than normal levels of bilirubin in the blood suggest that either larger amounts than usual are being produced through unusually high levels of blood breakdown called haemolysis, or that the normal drainage of bile containing bilirubin is being prevented.
Posted 4/8/2013 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Many drugs can affect the liver. High bilirubin can be a sign that the liver is unable to process things the way it should. Higher levels lead to jaundice, like newborn babies get.

When on HT or chemo, doctors want to make sure they aren't harming the liver.

Goodlife
Posted 4/8/2013 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Goodlife. The oncologist never mentioned it I only noticed when I was looking for the alkaline phosphate for bertb
Posted 4/8/2013 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have been watching my husbands Alk. Phos. levels ever since he was diagnosed in 2008. It appears that the more bone disease you have the higher it goes. When my husband was on a clinical trial it went back to normal but slowly creeps up as his disease progresses.
I was told that it a marker for bone disease progression.

Will verify that when we see Oncologist again.

Zimac
Posted 4/8/2013 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Since my surgery my Alk. Phos. levels have increased quite a bit (2-3x normal).  The doc says it can be a result of surgery or biliary obstruction disease.  These aren't the only things a high level indicates but for my age and health apparently the most common. Others have pointed out other possible causes.

I have gall stones and I suspect I have a small stone blocking a portion of the common bile duct. It is hard to tell if it is or not because the ultrasound I just had done didn't find a stone (ultrasound resolution may have an effect though). I was supposed to go in to get another blood test today but got too swamped with work. I'm hoping my levels go down pretty soon, or it means more money to the doctors etc. as it would probably mean liver issues in my case.

I had no idea high levels indicated mets - something else to watch now. I learn something new here every day.

 

Posted 4/8/2013 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Blood tests can be confusing and have similar names.  Among other tests I get the following tested monthly:

Hepatic Function Panel

- Protein, Total Serum

- Albumin, Serum

- Bilirubin, Total

- Bilirubin, Direct

- Alkaline Phosphatase, S

- AST

- ALT

I also get the following test which I believe is more to be used as a marker for PC with respect to bone turnover:

Alk Phosphatase, Bone Specifc

 Tandem-R Ostasde

Jerry

 

Posted 4/9/2013 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
My husbands PSA and ALK Phos are both just under 1000 and he has severe bone mets from skull to knees, especially in spine and pelvis.
Posted 4/9/2013 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Our past Dr. would have said something if important and going up, but looks like in normal (high end) range before. When we started this last part of this journey in 2012 he was 118, now in the 400’s. guess have to ask. He does have multiple bone mets and tumors in lungs. Now waiting MRI results on head area from today.

Jitter99, tugs at my heart when I hear about your husband.
Posted 4/10/2013 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so very much for the information. I now have lots of questions for my Med. Onc.
Bertb
Posted 4/10/2013 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
My GP has included this test in the last few rounds. He has not mentioned why or what he might look for, but in all cases I am dead center of what the lab reports as the normal range.

Neither uro nor oncologist has asked for this.
Posted 9/30/2013 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
My 16 month old had an Alk Phos level of 5199. Does this mean it is a possibility of cancer??? She also had a low level of c-peptide of .21. Is anyone familiar with this please help!!


Thank you,
Concerned Mother
Posted 10/1/2013 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
Alk. Phost. is useful information, also the UnTx (pyrilinks-D or other names for it) a urine test for bone break down (means mets happening) is considered a sensitive test. There are many marker tests to monitor possible disease progression, Jerry mentioned some of them.
Posted 10/1/2013 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
Alk. Phost. is useful information, also the UnTx (pyrilinks-D or other names for it) a urine test for bone break down (means mets happening) is considered a sensitive test. There are many marker tests to monitor possible disease progression, Jerry mentioned some of them.
Posted 10/1/2013 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Must be a different Alkaline Phosphatase test than one done as part of routine blood work.

I have mine for several years ago to now and not much variation.

Diagnosed this year G9 (4+5) with bony mets but highest it has ever been was in 1995

Reference
[35-129]

Alk Phos
09-06-13 77
08-08-13 79
04-23-13 75
03-20-13 67
09-10-12 54
11-13-97 68.0
10-22-97 72.0
04-18-95 81.0
Posted 10/1/2013 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, its the same ALK Phos test for routine blood work. Her levels were supposed to be between 100-300 and it was 5199. All her Liver enzymes came back fine. the only other level that as abnormal was the c-peptide, it was supposed to be .81-3.0 and it was .21. The doctor had an abdominal ultrasound done to check for Mass. I am praying everything is ok.
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