iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll ThthTht sblkidekiThcThebCrohn’s disease and colitis are thought to be caused by an abnormal
immune response to gram-negative resident bacteria in the intestine.
Antibiotics effective against gram-negative bacteria are prescribed
for treatment of these conditions, which have also been associated
with reduced levels of alkaline phosphatase. Researchers found giv-
ing rats oral alkaline phosphatase enzymes resulted in a reduction of
inflammation.
Having sufficient alkaline phosphatase helps prevent an immune re-
sponse to our gut bacteria. When we are low in alkaline phosphatase, the
body is unable to detoxify the bacteria present in our ecosystem, and thus
we may experience inflammatory reactions.
Lab Testing
Standard liver function panels include a test for alkaline phosphatase. If
you have had a liver function panel, you have likely had your alkaline
phosphatase measured.
Elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase may be found in cases of infec-
tion, liver damage, or other serious conditions. In contrast, low levels of
AP are rare in general practice, so your physician may not have known
what to do with them. Multiple physicians told me not to worry about
my low alkaline phosphatase levels since they only considered high levels
of alkaline phosphatase relevant. Had I not seen my own lab results, I
would have never searched for an answer and made this connection.
Usually associated with malnutrition (nutrient deficiencies), low alka-
line phosphatase levels are commonly found with hypothyroidism and
Hashimoto’s. Thyroid hormones induce the production of more alka-
line phosphatase.
Intestinal damage due to gluten and other intolerances; low stomach
acid; and other conditions commonly present in Hashimoto’s put people
at risk for malnutrition because of poor protein assimilation.
For example, studies found that people with untreated celiac disease—
and thus a high degree of intestinal damage that affects their ability to
absorb nutrients from food—have reduced AP activity in the intestinal
mucosa as compared with people who have normal intestinal function.
Alkaline phosphatase activity correlated with the degree of damage,
meaning this one test could show just how damaged the intestines were.
In people with celiac disease, the enzyme activity began to normalize af-
ter the initiation of a gluten-free diet and once the intestinal lining began
to heal and absorb nutrients again.