Alkaline Phosphatase High in Pregnancy - How to Reduce It?

Alkaline Phosphatase is found in different organs of the body and thus has a significant role to play in bodily functions, such as: 

1. Breaking down complex protein molecules into simpler ones.
2. Development of bone and liver. Thus, it is required to be maintained at adequate levels in the body.
3. Membrane transport in the placental metabolism.

The full functionality of this enzyme is not entirely known, but it is usually found that its abnormal levels are proven to be harmful to the body. ALP is expected to exist in its prescribed normal range in the bloodstream as its high levels are potent at causing devastation in the major organs. 

There are several reasons why Alkaline Phosphatase levels could go high in the blood. Abnormal levels of ALP are due to:

1. Impaired functioning of organs such as the liver or gallbladder
2. Body's malnutrition status
3. Threat to bone health
4. Problems with kidney 
5. Alterations in the placenta's functions can raise ALP in pregnancy. 

Below are some of the symptoms exhibited by the body when the levels of ALP are high in the blood.

1. ALP is a potential indicator of the function of the liver and the gallbladder. When their functioning is disturbed, one could notice warning signs such as 
   1. Jaundice (skin and eyes turning pale)
   2. Stomach Pain
   3. Weakness
   4. Vomiting
   5. Inflammation
   6. Itching on the skin
   7. Changes in the urine or stool appearance
   8. Loss of appetite
2. When there is high alkaline phosphatase in pregnancy, the above-mentioned symptoms have the least chance of appearing. This is because the symptoms of high alkaline phosphatase in pregnancy are usually different and, in most cases, are not evident. 
3. High ALP in pregnancy can even result in Preeclampsia in pregnant women.That is, accompanied by: 
   1. High blood pressure
   2. Nausea or vomiting
   3. Proteinuria (release of proteins in the urine)
   4. Frequent severe headaches
   5. Shortness of breath
   6. Problems with vision

In pregnant women, alkaline phosphatase high in the third trimester are usually on the higher side and is a normal sign. The reason behind this is the production of ALP by the placenta. The cell name syncytiotrophoblasts of the plasma membrane are responsible for the secretion of ALP.

The ALP production in pregnant women is found to trigger between the 15th to 26th gestational week. Also, the serum of pregnant women consists of increased levels of ALP. Though the levels are normally high, awfully high levels are not desired for good maternal health.  

Extremely high levels of placental origin ALP are suspected to be troublesome to pregnant women and the fetus. Given below are some of its complications:  

Placental dysfunction or placental insufficiency is one of the relevant damages that the raised levels of ALP do to pregnant women. This condition is marked by:

1. Oedema
2. Thrombus on the placental entities
3. Placental infarction
4. Complications at the time of delivery

High ALP in pregnancy can cause HELLP syndrome. Increased levels of placental origin ALP were found to be related to the development of HELLP syndrome in pregnant women. The syndrome is typically characterised by intricacies such as:

1. Hemolysis
2. Low platelet levels
3. Elevated liver enzyme levels (one of which is alkaline phosphatase).  

Abnormally elevated alkaline phosphatase levels can also be linked with IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction). This can lead to:

1. Poor development of the foetus 
2. Preterm labour results in premature babies with low weight at birth and similar complications.

Aside from the placental origin, ALP levels can also be raised due to the shortcoming of other body organs. This can lead to:

1. Diseases of the liver or bone
2. Intrahepatic cholestasis
3. Episodes of malignancies

There are ways to overcome or put an end to the complications caused by ALP. For this, finding ways to reduce abnormally high ALP levels becomes integral. Given below are a few of them: 

1. Spend more time in the sun: As the poor status of bone health or vitamin D deficiency contributes to the high levels of ALP, getting more vitamin D will eventually reduce ALP. 
2. Eat a balanced diet: Eating a balanced diet will support the body's vital organs and also control the high levels of ALP. Taking care of the liver becomes crucial, thus, one must consume more food that improves liver functions. 
   1. Green vegetables such as broccoli help improve hepatic abnormalities. Thus, it's always better to fill the plates more often with these vegetables to keep the ALP levels in the normal range. 
   2. One must also be aware of the nutrients that trigger or suppress ALP, i.e. avoiding the food that has more zinc, as it results in shooting ALP.
   3. Incorporating food that has high copper content is beneficial in bringing the ALP levels down. 
3. Taking care of bone health: Taking good care of bone health and maintaining the vitality of other organs is crucial for a healthy body. This is possible by eating healthy and catching up with all the necessary activities to sustain a healthy pregnancy. 
4. Watch the medicines: Medicines can also play a role in increasing ALP levels. Certain steroids, birth control pills, antidepressants or anti-inflammatory drugs, etc, are found to contribute to increasing the ALP levels in the body. To detect this kind of condition, doctors usually ask the patient to withdraw that particular drug for at least a week to notice changes. 
5. Disease control: Raised ALP, in a way, is a symptom of a diseased condition that also accommodates altered levels of other body enzymes, hormones, or minerals. It is valuable to control these conditions to have stable levels of ALP in the body. Some of the conditions that can increase ALP levels are:
   1. Osteomalacia: A condition causing bone weakening.
   2. Renal osteodystrophy: A condition causing bones to lack sufficient mineralisation.
   3. Malignant bone tumours.

Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme that takes part in different body functions; however, its abnormally elevated levels are equally responsible for invading the smooth functioning of the body. Measures must be taken at the right time when the body features the relevant symptoms before the damage evolves intensely.  

Though ALP levels during pregnancy are usually higher, it should be discerned that they do not elevate more than their permissible limit. The extreme incline in ALP during the gestational stages is riskier because the threat here is posed to 2 lives. In such conditions, constant monitoring of ALP in the maternal serum backed with necessary medication is required. 

Either in the presence or absence of symptoms, the elevated levels of ALP in pregnancy should be responded to with proper medical assistance. HexaHealth is a reliable and exceptionally apt health tech platform comprising experienced and highly qualified medical practitioners. 

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