Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found in bone and biliary tract.  Elevated
levels of alk phos are foundon blood testing when there is damage to either
system (bone infection, gallbladder infection, bone tumor recurrence, Paget's
disease, various liver diseases).

Alkaline Phosphatase NOT elevated in osteoporosis, unless there has been an
acute fracture.  Therefore it's elevation is NOT a sign of osteoporosis.  The
diagnosis of osteoporosis can be readily made by a test called bone
densitometry.

In this case, bone tumor recurrence should be investigated.  A "three phase
bone scan" is often used to diagnose such cases.

Peter Salomon MD
Randy Halpern, RN