Elevated alk phos

Hello @cgm, I haven't seen any posts in the PMR group describing high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels but have seen some in other groups and discussions. Here's a search link that shows comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/?search=alp%20levels.

Here's some information I found describing the topic if you haven't already seen it.
"High alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels may be a sign of a liver problem or a bone disorder. Liver problems and bone disorders cause different types of ALP. But your test results can't tell which type of ALP is high."
-- Alkaline Phosphatase: MedlinePlus Medical Test:
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/alkaline-phosphatase/
Were you able to discuss the elevated lab levels with your doctor?

Might it be caused by some medication you're on, one that affects the liver?
My alkaline phosphatase (ALP) blood test last month was 58 (normal range 30-115 U/L), so prednisone and PMR don't seem to raise ALP for me.

My ALP was 84 while on prednisone and 82 one year later. My range was a little higher through Lab corp.
Alkaline Phosphatase 82 40 - 140 IU/L

I did check back to 1 year prior to PMR it was 73. same range. It never showed up as flag so I have never asked questions about it.

Thanks all! Yes, I’ve had a liver work up and kidneys have appeared fine. Only take sertraline and levothyroxine. Just weaned prednisone after about 3 yrs…following up with a GI specialist. My alk phos has been high the whole time I’ve had PMR (?)….🤷🏼‍♀️

My ALP did go up when I got PMR, but not above the normal range. It was running in the low 60's, then went up to 100 when I got PMR but before I was officially diagnosed. It stayed at 100 for 1 lab cycle then has been bouncing up and down and is presently below my lab's normal range at 49, correlating with when I went on Kevzara. I keep track of my labs but let my doctor decide what I should be concerned about since it can drive me crazy trying to figure out what the numbers mean! I don't have other known medical conditions besides PMR.

good job getting off prednisone. It can take a few months to feel normal. Whatever that is.

My liver enzymes, AST and ALT have both been elevated at various times since I was diagnosed with PMR. However, PMR was never suggested as being the cause. I seldom drink alcohol so that wasn't ever suggested as a likely cause.

Various medications used to treat PMR and/or Prednisone side effects were probably causing my liver enzymes to be elevated. These medications are listed below along with my opinion as to the likelihood that the medication was the cause.

Methotrexate - very likely --- liver enzymes normalized when methotrexate was stopped.

Atorvastatin - maybe --- liver enzymes decreased but didn't normalize when atorvastatin was stopped after I tapered off prednisone.

Actemra - not likely --- a liver specialist said non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was probably the cause. Actemra wasn't stopped.

NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome was likely caused by long term prednisone use according to an endocrinologist. I have lost 35 lbs since getting off Prednisone. My liver enzymes were normal again when they were last checked.