Elevated ALP levels ??

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Givemestrength
Givemestrength Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

MO just advised that my alkaline phosphatase was elevated, freaking out - 3 weeks post BI MX.  Any input would be great.  Getting scheduled for PET scan and bone scan and this totally freaks me out, the tests and the waiting for results.  scared of mets.. any input would be great.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited May 2013

    Hi there, I hope you are okay. Did the onco say how high the ALP was? I ask as there are many reasons it can be high.  Mine is above normal , 132 has been for years. I have had negative bone scans and CATs so nothing suspicious found causing it.  I read that thyroid disease can elevate alp. In an article I read; attached below, 20-30% of people have unexplained increases in ALP. Other benign causes are fatty liver, Vitamin D deficiency, some medications, post menopause.  Hoping you have a benign reason and can get some relief from the stress of waiting for your tests.  Keep us posted.  This is the article I read. You may find it useful. It sounds like your doctor is being very proactive, so thats a good thing.Good luck.

    http://www.jfponline.com/pages.asp?aid=2251ications,

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  • Susie123
    Susie123 Member Posts: 804
    edited May 2013

    Hi givemestrength,

    I am also stage 1 grade 1, but am three years out from diagnosis. I too had elevated ALP, actually still have elevated ALP since the very first onco visit three years ago. My onco also ordered further tests(including a liver ct as well as bone scan), sent me to both bone and gastro specialists to no avail. Everything was negative. My onco said he sees a few of these every week and doesn't know why it happens. Being grade 1 stage 1 it's highly unlikely it signals recurrence is what my onco told me even before he ordered the tests and sent me to the specialists, but he wanted to follow up anyway, which is good to be careful, but also a very scary thing for us. It looks like you're surgery was pretty recent, it could also be the pain meds causing the elevation. I know it's really hard not to worry, especially so soon after your diagnosis, but the odds really are that it's nothing.

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  • Givemestrength
    Givemestrength Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    Thank you Susie123 and Bevin.. Everything is scary to me right now.. My number was at 188. Med onc said normal limit up to 115. I have been on pain meds.. Hoping for the best, hard not to obsess. Keep you posted.

    Thanks again..

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited May 2013

    VERY unlikely mets......maybe something to do with pain meds?

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  • lovetodance1
    lovetodance1 Member Posts: 62
    edited May 2013

    YOU JUST HAD BMX, IM SURE YOU HAVE HAD TYLENOL/PLUS ANTIBIOTICS, THAT ALONE IS TOXIC TO LIVER. I HAD THE SAME THING. TOO SOON FROM SURGERY. YOUR VALUE OFF 188 IS NOT THAT BAD. I'VE SEEN THEM IN THE 300'S. I HAD 326 WITH LEVQUINE ANTIBIOTIC. 

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  • Givemestrength
    Givemestrength Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    Thanks for the support. PET done just waiting for results which is absolute torture.. Didn't like that test, gives you too much time to think.. Bone scan this week, hoping for the best and maybe be able to catch a break until reconstruction ..









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  • lola12
    lola12 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2013

    Hi All,

    I am playing with elevated ALK phos. levels right now too. My level has been 146, 180 and 184. My Vit D is low, and GGT and everything else is fine.  My oncologist did not seem too concerned about it because I am on Amiridex and that is known to elevate this value. I do believe I will have some scan just to be sure. I was Stage 1 3 years ago with mastectomy. I had my three year mammo today on my remaining breast and it is normal. I sit here a little scared wondering if this only elevated value can mean bone cancer. I wonder if I will get a bone or PET scan, etc. Does any one have any experience with this type of situation? Just how worried should I be. Lola

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  • wildrumara
    wildrumara Member Posts: 450
    edited July 2013

    Hi Lolca - I personally have not experienced this, but from what I've read, I would think that your oncologist would do some sort of scan.  Probably a bone scan to start.  And like you said, there are many reasons why your ALK phos level could be elevated??  But, as you know, when you've had breast cancer, every little symptom or fluctuation in biomarkers, raises a red flag.  You said that your levels have been 146, 180 and 184......over what time period has that been?  

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