Persistently Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase in an Older Woman with a History of Breast Cancer
October 2025
in “
Journal of the Endocrine Society
”
TLDR Stopping Viviscal, a hair loss product, normalized the woman's elevated alkaline phosphatase levels.
An 80-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer and osteopenia experienced elevated alkaline phosphatase levels, initially suspected to be due to hypercalcemia of malignancy or hyperparathyroidism. However, it was discovered that her use of Viviscal, a hair loss product, was the cause. Viviscal has been shown to increase alkaline phosphatase in dermal papilla cells. After discontinuing the product, her alkaline phosphatase levels returned to normal. This case highlights the importance for clinicians to consider supplements as potential causes of elevated alkaline phosphatase levels.