Low alkaline phosphatase

nothuman · Nov 9, 2023

I always have low ALP on my blood test (between 40-50). Is this something all bodybuilders have or is it just me? It’s been like this for years and I may see a rheumatologist about it.

RandomMachine · Nov 10, 2023

Mine has been low since the start of 2021, 26 on my last test.

Have yet to find a cause and any doctor I've seen either doesn't care or doesn't know the cause.

bbxtreme · Nov 10, 2023

nothuman said:
I always have low ALP on my blood test (between 40-50). Is this something all bodybuilders have or is it just me? It’s been like this for years and I may see a rheumatologist about it.

Most times you will see this in people who under eat. But it can also be an indicator of low zinc. You could of course run zinc on bloods to check that, but of course be sure to take with copper if you do supplement as I’m sure you know.

Those numbers aren’t too low outside of the range so personally wouldn’t bother me, especially knowing how strict you are with your health , diet and supplements.

Remember ranges are for the “average person” which isn’t anything near the level of health that you are.

nothuman · Nov 10, 2023

bbxtreme said:
Most times you will see this in people who under eat. But it can also be an indicator of low zinc. You could of course run zinc on bloods to check that, but of course be sure to take with copper if you do supplement as I’m sure you know.

Those numbers aren’t too low outside of the range so personally wouldn’t bother me, especially knowing how strict you are with your health , diet and supplements.

Remember ranges are for the “average person” which isn’t anything near the level of health that you are.

I read zinc serum test is unreliable and life extension doesn't offer the RBC Zinc test so I'm not sure how to get an accurate reading of my zinc levels. I eat a lot of zinc and get 10mg with my multi so I don't see how much zinc could be the answer. Same applies for magnesium. If anything, I would guess and absorption issue?

I am curious if any steroid or TRT user here doesn't have low-ish levels.

bbxtreme · Nov 10, 2023

nothuman said:
I read zinc serum test is unreliable and life extension doesn't offer the RBC Zinc test so I'm not sure how to get an accurate reading of my zinc levels. I eat a lot of zinc and get 10mg with my multi so I don't see how much zinc could be the answer. Same applies for magnesium. If anything, I would guess and absorption issue?

I am curious if any steroid or TRT user here doesn't have low-ish levels.

I use ulta labs and they offer RBC Zinc. But for most guys on TRT I’ve seen them come in with lower zinc. I wouldn’t be too worried about it and like you said it seems more like an absorption issue. They’re not low enough that I personally would have a concern.

RandomMachine · Nov 12, 2023

I have tried just about every common type of zinc. Hasn't made a difference, 26 again on a test this week.

Would be real interesting to know the cause at this point.

bbxtreme · Nov 12, 2023

RandomMachine said:
I have tried just about every common type of zinc. Hasn't made a difference, 26 again on a test this week.

Would be real interesting to know the cause at this point.

Could and likely be low retinol (active vitamin a) and “too much” vitamin d if you supplement with it. Vitamin d in high amounts for too long can drive zinc absorption down.

I usually have people use a good cod liver oil like Rosita as it’s got natural retinol and vitamin d occurring from the cod liver oil. You can check the vitamins and minerals on blood work. But usually absorption issues around zinc as I mentioned earlier above in my experience.

nothuman · Nov 12, 2023

RandomMachine said:
I have tried just about every common type of zinc. Hasn't made a difference, 26 again on a test this week.

Would be real interesting to know the cause at this point.

I'm dying to know as well. I'm waiting for someone to post their high level of alkaline phosphatase in this thread...

nothuman · Nov 12, 2023

bbxtreme said:
Could and likely be low retinol (active vitamin a) and “too much” vitamin d if you supplement with it. Vitamin d in high amounts for too long can drive zinc absorption down.

I usually have people use a good cod liver oil like Rosita as it’s got natural retinol and vitamin d occurring from the cod liver oil. You can check the vitamins and minerals on blood work. But usually absorption issues around zinc as I mentioned earlier above in my experience.

I am waiting for new lab results but I lowered my vitamin D substantially and i do take one teaspoon of cod liver oil every morning now. Let's see if anything changes.

RandomMachine · Nov 12, 2023

bbxtreme said:
Could and likely be low retinol (active vitamin a) and “too much” vitamin d if you supplement with it. Vitamin d in high amounts for too long can drive zinc absorption down.

I usually have people use a good cod liver oil like Rosita as it’s got natural retinol and vitamin d occurring from the cod liver oil. You can check the vitamins and minerals on blood work. But usually absorption issues around zinc as I mentioned earlier above in my experience.

You seem pretty knowledgeable on the topic. I'll throw some more information out there.

In April of this year I tested

Vitamin A - 100 / R. 38-98
Vitamin D - 46 / R. 30-100
ALP - 23 / R. 36-130
Zinc - 73 / R. 60-130
Copper - 67 / R. 70-175

I was eating a bit of liver every week during this time. I assume that's the reason for the high vitamins A. I didn't start taking Cod liver oil until May. I believe I was taking 5000iu of vitamin D per day pretty consistently for a few years due to a previous low result.

Retested zinc and copper in June and they flipped. No idea how accurate those tests are.

Zinc to 57
Copper to 74

My alkaline phosphatase has been low since January of 2021. Started my first cycle in October of 2020. Prior to that I had never had a low reading, so there is a relationship there.

Does it mean something? No idea. As you mentioned, best I can come up with is an absorption issue, somehow.

bbxtreme · Nov 12, 2023

RandomMachine said:
You seem pretty knowledgeable on the topic. I'll throw some more information out there.

In April of this year I tested

Vitamin A - 100 / R. 38-98
Vitamin D - 46 / R. 30-100
ALP - 23 / R. 36-130
Zinc - 73 / R. 60-130
Copper - 67 / R. 70-175

I was eating a bit of liver every week during this time. I assume that's the reason for the high vitamins A. I didn't start taking Cod liver oil until May. I believe I was taking 5000iu of vitamin D per day pretty consistently for a few years due to a previous low result.

Retested zinc and copper in June and they flipped. No idea how accurate those tests are.

Zinc to 57
Copper to 74

My alkaline phosphatase has been low since January of 2021. Started my first cycle in October of 2020. Prior to that I had never had a low reading, so there is a relationship there.

Does it mean something? No idea. As you mentioned, best I can come up with is an absorption issue, somehow.

Happy to help best I can.

How much protein are you taking in per day? Enzymes with it and probiotics. That’s the first thing to check.

Did you check ceruloplasmin with copper?

Do you take magnesium? As athletes and bodybuilders we burn a lot of it and many don’t supplement it or get enough which can bring it down as well.

You want the copper to be in range and eating the beef liver or taking it can help accomplish that as they and the zinc play hand in hand.

If those factors are in line you usually would check thyroid levels next.

Feel free to PM me with your full blood work as I could go on, but with the numbers that far under range I would dig a little deeper. A few points I don’t stress, but 20’s I would want to get to the root personally.