Cirrhosis Support Group

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...

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beanhook 05/14/2014

Hi everyone,
I am new to this horrible disease and I have a few questions that I hope you can help me with. My doctors office called with the results of my most recent blood work. Everything was normal except my APL was "slightly elevated." He wants to re-check in a couple months. Does this sound normal? I am assuming that this is related to my cirrhosis but the nurse really couldnt give me any answers. I am also starting to experience joint pain in my knees, hips and hands. Has anyone else had this or am I just getting old! Thanks for any input. All of you have helped me so much.

Trissa01 05/14/2014

APL or AFP ?

beanhook 05/14/2014

She said my alkaline phosphatase was slightly elevated. When I asked what that could mean she said she really didnt know.

pugdaddy 05/14/2014

Beanhook, it's ALP [alkaline phosphatase]...and is usually elevated in liver disease. Here's a link that you'll find informative:

http://voices.yahoo.com/what-does-elevated-increased-alkaline-phosphatase-3264338.html

beanhook 05/14/2014

Thanks pugdaddy :)

pugdaddy 05/14/2014

Bean, were any of your other tests out of normal range? or just the ALP?

pugdaddy 05/14/2014

...I'm assuming that you were at the very least given both (a) the CBC, or complete blood count plus (b) liver panel. If not, then I'd suggest that you return to the doctor and request those -

Trissa01 05/14/2014

The mayo clinic says:
>A rise in ALP activity occurs with all forms of cholestasis, particularly with obstructive jaundice. The response of the liver to any form of biliary tree obstruction is to synthesize more ALP. The main site of new enzyme synthesis is the hepatocytes adjacent to the biliary canaliculi.<

Do you have a stone or something causing the obstruction?

beanhook 05/15/2014

I have to go back to Dr. on Monday for the CBC. They were supposed to run that but for some reason didnt. By the time they realized they had not run the cbc the blood had already been discarded. So, I get the pleasure of being stuck again. I was really quite annoyed. I dont have any obstructions that I am aware of. I had a colonoscopy and EGD a couple weeks ago and that came back normal. Not sure about the gallbladder. I have an ultrasound scheduled for June 11th.

pugdaddy 05/15/2014

be sure and have your platelet level checked. There's typically a close correlation between platelet level and the severity of disease -

beanhook 05/15/2014

My platelets were checked about 3 months ago and were in the normal range. Not sure what they are now but I will make sure they check them this time. Thanks everyone!

deleted_user 05/15/2014

Mine has been elevated for years... if I remember correctly... it implicates a blockage or narrowing of something, somewhere... sorry... do not remember exactly.

deleted_user 05/21/2014

Hello bean, hope you are good...

Maybe this can help...

http://www.stat.unc.edu/visitors/temp/Health/Thyroid/alttest.htm

Have a nice day folks and god bless you all

deleted_user 05/21/2014

Sorry to make things even more confusing, but my doctor says they also watch the ratio of AST & ALT levels, I'll check next month at my appointment.

Separately, you can have perfectly normal numbers, but that ratio is something they also monitor.

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