Hypophosphatasia (HPP) Symptoms
Don’t let the symptoms of HPP hold you back
HPP can affect your body in different ways
You may feel the effects of HPP in different parts of your body, including:
Bones
Joints
Teeth
Kidneys
Lungs*
Brain
Muscles
Some symptoms may be easy to overlook or explain—especially when they’ve been part of daily life for a long time or felt “normal.” Recognizing these patterns can help put symptoms into context.
*Lung and breathing problems are most common in babies with HPP, especially before birth, soon after birth, or in early infancy.
Below are examples of how HPP symptoms may appear:
Muscle weakness and fatigue
People with HPP may have extra difficulty doing daily activities such as standing up from a sitting position, walking, or running.
Fatigue may affect people throughout the day, making it harder to stay awake, focus, or complete school or work responsibilities.
Fatigue may affect people throughout the day, making it harder to stay awake, focus, or complete school or work responsibilities.
Brain
- Nerve pain and headaches
- “Brain fog,” which may look like confusion and difficulty concentrating
- Problems with sleep
- Depression and anxiety
- In severe cases in infants, HPP can lead to seizures
HPP can disrupt sleep, impact mood, and reduce quality of life.
Makes it harder to build strong bones
People of all ages with HPP can be affected by unexpected bone fractures and bones that look weaker than normal on bone imaging. HPP can make bones more likely to break or fracture. In one study of people with HPP, 43% developed bone-related symptoms.
Bones can also develop differently in children with HPP, which can carry over into adulthood.
HPP bone symptoms can be more severe and show up differently in babies before birth and up to 6 months of age.
Bones can also develop differently in children with HPP, which can carry over into adulthood.
HPP bone symptoms can be more severe and show up differently in babies before birth and up to 6 months of age.
I would say go to the doctor. Get your alkaline phosphatase (ALP) checked. Take note of your symptoms; write them down. Take yourself seriously, and keep pushing to get help.- Amy, Living With HPP
HPP symptoms are not the same for everyone
Because symptoms are not the same for everyone, HPP can affect multiple systems, and symptoms can vary widely.
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Growth/Development(in babies and children)
In babies and children, HPP can affect growth
- Delayed growth and weight gain
- Short stature
- Bowed legs or knock knees
- Bone pain
HPP can also delay important physical abilities in babies and children
- Delays in sitting
- Delays in crawling
- Delays in standing
- Delays in walking
- Difficulty climbing stairs
If these symptoms sound familiar to you or a loved one, check your symptoms to better understand experiences and prepare for a doctor visit. You can also use the Could it be HPP? Brochure Guide for a more detailed look to help guide that conversation.
Take a deeper dive at HPP symptoms
Learn more about the common symptoms that may present with HPP.
There is no single HPP experience
HPP can look very different for different people, and even family members with HPP may have totally different symptoms. Symptoms can also change from day to day or over longer periods of time.
See how HPP symptoms looked different for these twin sisters
Hear how Amy and Suzanne trusted their experiences and kept asking questions when symptoms didn’t feel normal.
You’re the expert on how your symptoms feel
Some effects of HPP are easier for a doctor to see or measure, such as broken bones or a blood test result. But other symptoms can’t be seen by your doctor such as pain, brain fog, or fatigue and can only be felt by you.
Because HPP can affect different parts of the body, it’s important to share all your symptoms with your doctor, even if you’re not sure they’re related to HPP. Keeping track of symptoms over time can give your doctor a clearer picture of what’s going on.
Because HPP can affect different parts of the body, it’s important to share all your symptoms with your doctor, even if you’re not sure they’re related to HPP. Keeping track of symptoms over time can give your doctor a clearer picture of what’s going on.
Could it be HPP? Brochure
Use this guide to reflect more deeply on symptoms and prepare for your next doctor visit.
Remember, testing for low ALP is key to diagnosing HPP. Talking to your doctor about symptoms that may be HPP is just the start. Ask if testing for low ALP is right for you—it could help connect the dots to make a diagnosis of HPP.
Read about how HPP may influence everyday tasks, routines, and emotional well-being.
Discover helpful tools, downloadable resources, advocacy groups, and other ways to stay informed and supported.
Stay connected with updates and information about HPP, no matter where you or your loved one is on the journey.
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