Question:
What does a mildly elevated alkaline phosphatase result mean?

I'm 5 months post op and just had my personal physician do some blood work. I've been getting a number of bruises on my thighs and was concerned. Also, I heard of a friend's relative who died from potassium shock after WLS. I'm waiting for doc to call back to tell me if they checked potassium because it wasn't in the report. Everything else looked normal except for this alkaline phosphatase. It was 151 and normal is 30-120. He suggested getting it checked again in 2 months. Other liver enzymes were ok.    — Cindy H. (posted on September 7, 2000)

September 7, 2000
I am officially pre-op.. but have had numerous liver function tests done and recently underwent a liver biopsy.. all that my mildly elevated liver enzymes meant was that I had some mild fatty changes to the liver.. You can ask your doctor to perform a fractionated alkaline phosphatase.. that will tell him /her if your elevation is liver related or bone related.. Best of luck to you !!
   — Gina Landers

May 26, 2001
Cindy, My three month blood tests also came back elevated for the Alk Phos. Mine was at 127. Also elevated were the "AST" at 45 and the "ALT" at 62. I haven't had the opportunity to contact my Dr. on this yet but do seem to remember that there were some tests having to do with the liver that came back elevated for a short period following surgery.
   — Tamara R.