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Why would I have High Alk Phos weeks after gallbladder removal?

Posted by tammyp4 @tammyp4, Mar 8 8:30pm

Hello. I had gallbladder removal surgery over two weeks ago. At day 5, I ended up in the hospital with severe pain, internal bleeding, high bilirubin, high liver enzymes, high heart enzymes, and decreased Hemoglobin and RBC. I stayed 3 days. A recheck of my chem panel today shows my Alk Phos still at 462, but other tests were normal. (A CBC was not run). I have pain in my side from my back to under my ribs and get short of breath. I am tired. I am better than before I was hospitalized. I cannot find any information on a case such as this. Most studies say Alk Phos is unchanged or improves with 72 hours. My results were high longer than this. Has anyone else experienced this? Did you have to see a specialist? My surgeon released me without running the labs as the hospital ordered so I had my PCP order them. Thanks!

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bb03 | @bb03 | Mar 9 7:10am

Wow what was the diagnosis for the Readmission? Was it Peritonitis? Did you have to have an exploratory Lap? You mentioned internal bleeding? Did they find where that was coming from? Was it corrected? Did you ask for details after the Readmission? You didn’t give details. All said, in your case since your gallbladder was removed and now your stable(?), bleeding resolved, blockage resolved etc you would think the Alk Phos would steadily decrease. There may be another stone that was missed in a bile duct causing blockage from your liver?? Watch for signs and symptoms of infection. Hope you don’t have to have a third hospitalization! Lots of reasons to stay high and not go down. You may have to get an abdominal CT and more labs. The Alk phos should trend down if the causative reason was a blockage(may take a while),and if your other problems during the surgery were corrected surgically etc and there is no infection and your liver is healthy and it’s ducts are able to drain into the duct to the small intestine it would be reasonable to think your Alk Phos would gradually come down, but you need to keep a keen eye on it. If Continued abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or you develope jaundice or fever you really need to revisit your surgeon asap and he/she should treat you accordingly.. You have been through a lot. Glad your PCP is aware of this also. Ask questions, be educated on what was done to you and the causes and treatment. Your issues may resolve with time but listen to your body; you are your best advocate.

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1 reply
bobweller | @bobweller | Mar 10 8:38am

How is your bile duck doing?

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | Mar 11 7:51am

Elevated LBK phos is common following GB surgery but weeks after this long is abnormal. Have you followed up with your PCP yet?

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busyyaya | @busyyaya | Mar 11 8:33am

That’s odd I’d get to major medial center rather then local small hospital if still an issue

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adlttl123 | @adlttl123 | Mar 11 8:10pm
In reply to @bb03 "Wow what was the diagnosis for the Readmission? Was it Peritonitis? Did you have to have..." + (show)
@bb03

Wow what was the diagnosis for the Readmission? Was it Peritonitis? Did you have to have an exploratory Lap? You mentioned internal bleeding? Did they find where that was coming from? Was it corrected? Did you ask for details after the Readmission? You didn’t give details. All said, in your case since your gallbladder was removed and now your stable(?), bleeding resolved, blockage resolved etc you would think the Alk Phos would steadily decrease. There may be another stone that was missed in a bile duct causing blockage from your liver?? Watch for signs and symptoms of infection. Hope you don’t have to have a third hospitalization! Lots of reasons to stay high and not go down. You may have to get an abdominal CT and more labs. The Alk phos should trend down if the causative reason was a blockage(may take a while),and if your other problems during the surgery were corrected surgically etc and there is no infection and your liver is healthy and it’s ducts are able to drain into the duct to the small intestine it would be reasonable to think your Alk Phos would gradually come down, but you need to keep a keen eye on it. If Continued abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or you develope jaundice or fever you really need to revisit your surgeon asap and he/she should treat you accordingly.. You have been through a lot. Glad your PCP is aware of this also. Ask questions, be educated on what was done to you and the causes and treatment. Your issues may resolve with time but listen to your body; you are your best advocate.

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Please be proactive. If your doctors aren’t helping you go to a different hospital go to Mayo and another doctor. I had a friend that had gallbladder surgery at age 38. She sounded just like you when she called me. We knew something went wrong with that surgery and it did. She was very very intelligent and did all she could and those doctors didn’t figure it out. She died. Don’t let that happen to you. Fight for yourself. We’re here. Keep us posted. You can get an appointment at Mayo and stay Monday through Friday and they will find out what’s wrong. God bless. Prayers. Write anytime. Anytime!! Diane.

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hlp123 | @hlp123 | Mar 12 6:18pm

I am so sorry that you are experiencing this ! I am not a doctor, but when I look up what a high ALK PHOS result indicates, the information is that it indicates a blocked liver duct. Please find a doctor who will take this seriously and order the proper MRI (MRCP) to locate the problem.
Bless you

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