Alkaline Phosphatase

Liver Function marker

ALP

Alkaline Phosphatase

Category: Liver Function
Unit: U/L

Enzyme found in liver, bones, and other tissues. Elevated in liver or bone disorders.

PED Notes

Less commonly affected by AAS than ALT/AST. Can be mildly elevated with bone-loading exercise. If elevated with normal GGT, likely bone origin rather than liver.

When high

Differential Diagnosis:

  • Elevated ALP with normal GGT → likely bone origin (common in athletes with heavy resistance training)
  • Elevated ALP with elevated GGT → likely liver origin — investigate with full liver panel
  • Isolated ALP elevation → consider vitamin D deficiency, hyperparathyroidism, or bone healing

Supplements:

  • Vitamin D3 -- 5000 IU/day (deficiency causes compensatory ALP elevation from bone turnover)
  • Vitamin K2 (MK-7) -- 100-200mcg/day (supports proper calcium metabolism and bone health)
  • Zinc -- 30mg/day (cofactor for ALP enzyme function)

Lifestyle:

  • If liver-origin: follow ALT/AST management (NAC, TUDCA, reduce hepatotoxic compounds)
  • If bone-origin: generally benign in athletes — ensure adequate calcium (1000mg/day) and vitamin D
  • Avoid blood draw within 48h of heavy leg/back training (bone-loading exercise can transiently elevate)

If the pattern is liver-origin, the doses that actually protect the liver on orals: TUDCA and NAC doses that actually protect your liver on cycle.

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is a prescription or a treatment plan, and it does not account for your history, medications or conditions. Use it to ask better questions: bring it to your doctor and decide together. Full disclaimer.

History Chart

Reading History

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference Ranges

Standard Range

30 - 110 U/L

VitalMetrics Range

30 - 130 U/L

Statistics