Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase? Plus pain on right side

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SusieMTN
SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I am a bit concerned so I wanted to see if anyone has ever had an elevated Alkaline Phosphatase.  Mine is 149 <38-126>, this is the highest and it started out at 130 back in November.  Others in liver panel are ever so slightly low Direct Bilirubin 0.1 <0.1-1.2>and low Protein at 6.3<6.5-8.1>.

One of the doctor told me I have had periodic elevate Calcium (was taking D-3 and was told to stop) it was 24 <20-200> optimal levels at 30 (per lab sheet).

I was tested for hyper-parathyroid which was neg. 38 <15-65>

The Onc is once again doing a Liver Panel and a Kidney panel, neither of which I was told about, until I looked at the lab slip.  

I have had periodic elevated potassium but usually with hemolysis (means they damaged blood cell and it spilled its contents).  

I FEEL FINE, but do have pain in the right side front and back, where liver is and this has been going on since about Oct '09.I had a scan back in Oct and it showed nothing.  "no measurable or immeasurable disease", it was done with drinking that "stuff" and with the IV contrast I believe it is called.  I do have a fatty liver..... but did not show gall stones.

I know that there are some with liver mets that have said there was nothing that would have indicated they had mets to live, no elevated liver enzymes. 

So any thoughts?  If you have mets - how was it diagnosed if you wouldn't mind telling me, don't want to make anyone uncomfortable that is stage 4.  This is just bugging me due to the pain.

I don't see Onc until May.  

Fine to PM me.....

Susie

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited March 2010

    Hi Susie -- I felt fine with I was diagnosed with liver mets -- no pain, no nothing -- it was a huge surprise.  Once the lesions got bigger it did feel pain in my right side close to my rib cage.  It felt like when your pants or belt are too tight.  Sometimes like twinges -- like when you ovulate.  When I recurred the 2nd time my liver enzymes were really wonky before the lesions showed up on any scans.

    If you can reschedule your onc appt earlier it might be a good idea.  However, waiting to May won't be an issue -- it's not too much time.  I can't say if you do or don't have liver mets -- only a scan can determine it.  Since your liver enzymes are OK I'm counting on you not having mets.  Still, it never hurts to get things checked out. Good luck!

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited March 2010

    Thanks KonaKat!  Oh, so is Alk. phos, not considered a liver enzyme?  It is on my liver panel lab test.

    Susie

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited March 2010

    Just found the below link. (See below)

    The pain is just a twinge here and there, not all the time, more of a shooting pain - bam - gone!   

    http://www.medicinenet.com/liver_blood_tests/page6.htm#whatabout 

    "Alkaline phosphatase is another liver enzyme frequently measured. This enzyme is usually found in the walls of the intra- and extra-biliary ducts (tube like structures within the liver that connect liver cells together). Elevation of alkaline phosphatase may indicate an injury to the biliary cells. Common causes of this are gallstones and certain mediations, although, some of the conditions listed previously can also raise the levels of this enzyme."

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  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited March 2010

    Dear Susie,

    I didn't have any symptoms or abnormal lab results when I was diagnosed with liver mets aside from upper back pain, which triggered my onc to order MRI/bone scan and PET/CT which showed 14 not-so-small tumors in my liver in addition to spine and lung mets.

    If your scan in Oct was clear, I would take comfort in that and try to hold out until May when you see your doc again.  If the pain/twinges in your side get worse, you might want to see if you can get in sooner if for no other reason than peace of mind.  Another thought - maybe you could call and talk to them (either your onc or the nurse) and ask the same question you posted here on the boards.  It seems like if your elevated blood test was alarming they would drag you into the office for more tests, right?

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  • SusieMTN
    SusieMTN Member Posts: 795
    edited March 2010

    Thank-you nancyh!  You are right if they are not concerned.....that should mean something.  Plus Scan is clean. However, I need to get my questions answered.  I have a family friend that is a doctor and, I want to run some other things in addition to the above.  Then if I am not comfortable I will see about moving appointment up.  I didn't see my normal Onc. so ........ 

    Thank-you both, I truly appreciate your help....  

    Susie

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