side effects of high alkaline phosphatase during pregnancy

side effects of high alkaline phosphatase during pregnancy

ALP level may be higher in pregnant people because of its existence in the placenta, so there is nothing to worry about. In pregnant women, levels up to twice that upper limit can still be normal (4). However, an abnormally elevated and rising ALP during pregnancy may be dangerous. Side effects of high alkaline phosphatase during pregnancy include placental dysfunction, HELLP syndrome, intrahepatic cholestasis, and malignancy (5).

In cases with severe and abnormal increased alkaline phosphatase, more frequent monitoring may be indicated.

alkaline phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found throughout your body, mainly in your liver, bone, kidney, and digestive tract. ALP tests measure the level of mentioned enzyme in your blood that comes from your liver and bones and this enzyme is one of the comprehensive metabolic panel tests (1,2).

Normal range

The normal range of ALP varies from person to person and depends on your age, blood type, gender, and whether you’re pregnant. One common reference range is from 44 to 147 international units per liter (IU/L), but it’s important to check your test result report to see what your specific lab’s reference range is (3).

What do the results mean?

High alkaline phosphatase levels may be a sign of a liver problem or a bone disorder. Your provider may have you undergo additional tests, such as an ALP isoenzyme test, to determine where the excess ALP is coming from (3).

Low levels of ALP are less common and may be a sign of:

· Malnutrition

· Zinc deficiency

· Magnesium deficiency

· Hypothyroidism

· Rare genetic conditions, including hypophosphatasia and Wilson disease (3)

* You can enter your lab test results online and get a personalized interpretation, including your condition in each test, definition, reasons for increased or decreased results, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, potential treatments, drug interactions, etc.

References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22029-alkaline-phosphatase-alp
2. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=alkaline_phosphatase
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22029-alkaline-phosphatase-alp
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214911220300448?via%3Dihub
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18304940/