What does an alkaline phosphatase level of 143 indicate?

Understanding an Alkaline Phosphatase Level of 143

An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level of 143 is mildly elevated and may indicate early liver disease, bone disorders, or other conditions requiring further evaluation to determine the exact cause.

What is Alkaline Phosphatase?

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found throughout your body, but mainly concentrated in your:

• Liver and bile ducts
• Bones
• Intestines
• Kidneys

What Does Your Level Mean?

A level of 143 is typically considered mildly elevated above the normal range (which is usually around 20-140 IU/L for adults, though this varies by laboratory). This mild elevation could indicate:

Possible Liver or Bile Duct Issues:

• Early cholestatic liver disease (problems with bile flow)
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
• Biliary obstruction (partial blockage)
• Medication effects on the liver

Possible Bone Issues:

• Increased bone turnover
• Healing fractures
• Bone growth (common in children and adolescents)
• Paget's disease

Next Steps Your Doctor May Recommend

Based on this mild elevation, your doctor might:

1. Check other liver tests to see if there's a pattern suggesting liver disease 1

   • GGT (gamma-glutamyltransferase) to confirm if the ALP is from your liver
   • Bilirubin levels
   • Other liver enzymes (AST/ALT)

2. Consider imaging studies if liver origin is suspected:

   • Ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder
   • Possibly MRCP (magnetic resonance imaging of bile ducts) if needed 1

3. Investigate bone causes if liver tests are otherwise normal:

   • Bone-specific ALP tests
   • Vitamin D levels
   • Calcium and phosphate levels

Important Points to Remember

• This level is only mildly elevated and may not indicate serious disease

• ALP can be temporarily elevated due to:

  • Certain medications
  • Recent meals (especially fatty foods)
  • Pregnancy or normal growth in children
  • Minor bone healing

• If you have no symptoms, your doctor may simply monitor this value over time 2

When to Be More Concerned

Your doctor would be more concerned if:

• The level continues to rise
• You develop symptoms like:
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Abdominal pain
  • Itching
  • Bone pain
  • Unexplained weight loss

Bottom Line

A mildly elevated ALP of 143 is worth discussing with your doctor but is not typically cause for immediate alarm. Your doctor will likely want to perform additional tests to determine the cause and decide if any treatment is needed. Many causes of mildly elevated ALP can be managed effectively once identified.