bone diseases causing asymptomatic elevation of ALP
Last reviewed 01/2018
The common diseases which may cause asymptomatic chronic elevation of alkaline phosphatase include:
- Paget's disease
- osteomalacia (vitamin D deficiency)
Note that vitamin D insufficiency may also be associated with an asymptomatic raised alkaline phosphatase level.
- vitamin D deficiency
- profiles of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase may sometimes
be helpful in the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency
- note though that serum calcium and phosphate concentrations only
fall in longstanding, symptomatic, vitamin D deficiency; there is
an increase in levels of alkaline phosphatase (total and bone-specific)
increase early in vitamin D deficiency
- this is a non-specific finding, but may be helpful in diagnosing individuals with otherwise unexplained elevations in alkaline phosphatase
- note though that serum calcium and phosphate concentrations only
fall in longstanding, symptomatic, vitamin D deficiency; there is
an increase in levels of alkaline phosphatase (total and bone-specific)
increase early in vitamin D deficiency
- profiles of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase may sometimes
be helpful in the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency