Cancer Markers

rlarias3
rlarias3 Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I want to know if anyone has had an alkaline phosphate test? My results have been 90, 102, 124 (taken 3 mos. apart). Is this anything to be concerned about?

Comments

  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #2
    Hi Rlarias3, Alkaline Phosphatase is a liver enzyme and part of the blood work up done during chemo or even part of a check up. Mine were high before and during chemo, I think the highest was 199U/L. I was really worried. I think 90 is in the normal range. Herbs and some supplements can increase liver enzymes. I was taking indole 3 carbinol, but I don't know if that caused it. They can fluctuate normally.
    It eventually all went back to normal (relief).
    What does your doc say about it rising?

    No one at my end was concerned but I did get a sympathy liver ultrasound out of it and it was clear. That's all this foggy brain can remember.
    Maybe someone else here knows more about it or can correct me if I'm wrong.
    cheers
    jan
  • rlarias3
    rlarias3 Member Posts: 4
    #3
    phoenixrising said:

    Hi Rlarias3, Alkaline Phosphatase is a liver enzyme and part of the blood work up done during chemo or even part of a check up. Mine were high before and during chemo, I think the highest was 199U/L. I was really worried. I think 90 is in the normal range. Herbs and some supplements can increase liver enzymes. I was taking indole 3 carbinol, but I don't know if that caused it. They can fluctuate normally.
    It eventually all went back to normal (relief).
    What does your doc say about it rising?

    No one at my end was concerned but I did get a sympathy liver ultrasound out of it and it was clear. That's all this foggy brain can remember.
    Maybe someone else here knows more about it or can correct me if I'm wrong.
    cheers
    jan

    Thanks for replying. My doctor says it is still in the normal range which according to Kaiser is 20 - 125. I have been cancer free 6 years. I will be having my mammogram & an ultrasound on Wed. Does this test indicate the cancer may have spread to my liver or just and indication of a recurrence of the original breast cancer?
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #4
    rlarias3 said:

    Thanks for replying. My doctor says it is still in the normal range which according to Kaiser is 20 - 125. I have been cancer free 6 years. I will be having my mammogram & an ultrasound on Wed. Does this test indicate the cancer may have spread to my liver or just and indication of a recurrence of the original breast cancer?

    It might not be cancer at all. Ask your doc for a liver ultrasound or a test for tumour markers.
    I don't think Alkaline Phosphatase is generally used as a tumour marker test although it is said that it can indicate it.

    I copied and pasted some info from the Mayo clinic so you can see how easy it is to get elevated liver enzymes.

    Congratulations on your 6yrs and good luck on Wed.
    jan

    This is the address: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/elevated-liver-enzymes/HQ01011

    A laboratory report of elevated liver enzymes is common and doesn't indicate a specific disease. However, elevated liver enzymes may be due to liver disease even if you have no symptoms. To determine the underlying cause of elevated liver enzymes, your doctor may recommend further testing.

    Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include:

    Side effect of medication, such as certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cholesterol medications, antibiotics or anti-seizure medications
    Drinking alcohol
    Obesity
    Diabetes
    Elevated triglycerides
    Infection, such as viral hepatitis and mononucleosis
    Autoimmune disorders of the liver and bile ducts, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis or primary biliary cirrhosis
    Metabolic liver disease, such as hemochromatosis or Wilson's disease
    Excessive use of certain herbal supplements, such as kava, comfrey, pennyroyal or skullcap
    Gallstones
    Tumors of the liver, pancreas or bile ducts
    Treatment of elevated liver enzymes depends on its cause. It is important to tell your doctor about any nutritional or herbal supplements you're taking.
  • rlarias3
    rlarias3 Member Posts: 4
    #5
    phoenixrising said:

    It might not be cancer at all. Ask your doc for a liver ultrasound or a test for tumour markers.
    I don't think Alkaline Phosphatase is generally used as a tumour marker test although it is said that it can indicate it.

    I copied and pasted some info from the Mayo clinic so you can see how easy it is to get elevated liver enzymes.

    Congratulations on your 6yrs and good luck on Wed.
    jan

    This is the address: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/elevated-liver-enzymes/HQ01011

    A laboratory report of elevated liver enzymes is common and doesn't indicate a specific disease. However, elevated liver enzymes may be due to liver disease even if you have no symptoms. To determine the underlying cause of elevated liver enzymes, your doctor may recommend further testing.

    Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include:

    Side effect of medication, such as certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cholesterol medications, antibiotics or anti-seizure medications
    Drinking alcohol
    Obesity
    Diabetes
    Elevated triglycerides
    Infection, such as viral hepatitis and mononucleosis
    Autoimmune disorders of the liver and bile ducts, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis or primary biliary cirrhosis
    Metabolic liver disease, such as hemochromatosis or Wilson's disease
    Excessive use of certain herbal supplements, such as kava, comfrey, pennyroyal or skullcap
    Gallstones
    Tumors of the liver, pancreas or bile ducts
    Treatment of elevated liver enzymes depends on its cause. It is important to tell your doctor about any nutritional or herbal supplements you're taking.

    Thanks again. I feel a lot better. I'll talk with my Dr. when I get the results of the ultrasound.

    Again,
    THANKS
  • 3cbrca
    3cbrca Member Posts: 206
    #6
    rlarias3 said:

    Thanks for replying. My doctor says it is still in the normal range which according to Kaiser is 20 - 125. I have been cancer free 6 years. I will be having my mammogram & an ultrasound on Wed. Does this test indicate the cancer may have spread to my liver or just and indication of a recurrence of the original breast cancer?

    I just had it done this week to see if I had gallstones - its used for a lot of different conditions.
  • rlarias3
    rlarias3 Member Posts: 4
    #7
    3cbrca said:

    I just had it done this week to see if I had gallstones - its used for a lot of different conditions.

    Thanks. I guess I need to find out more about breast cancer markers and the blood tests I get every 3 mos. I'll talk with my doctor.
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #8
    rlarias3 said:

    Thanks. I guess I need to find out more about breast cancer markers and the blood tests I get every 3 mos. I'll talk with my doctor.

    After the first year, I actually did not get any more breast cancer marker tests since my senior oncologist, a leader in the field, told me that they do not prolong lives or have that much validity. If I have a pain or problem that lasts longer than a short period, he will investigate it, but no regular MRI's, PET/CAT scans, or blood tests. I do have a yearly mammogram and a physician breast check, but that is all. My regular physician does blood tests at my yearly physical to keep up with other problems-hey we can all get heart disease too! But that's it. I wonder if I'm unusual here. I'm at the 5 year mark.

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