Elevated AFP?

Hi Guys,

I got a Lab value on Friday that said that my AFP (alpha feta protien) is elevated. It had the normal range from 10-200 and mine was 210. Does anyone know what this is relative to??


got power back...thank goodness!!

Thanks

Vann

[HectorSF]

What does the doctor who order this test say??? If you haven't talked to them you need to call them and speak to them about this result.

Is that the range that it says on the blood test results? 200 sounds too high for anything close to normal. Some of my labs say < 8.1 ug/L, others < 6.4  ug/L. I have also seen 0-40 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or micrograms per liter (mcg/L). Please check the number and unit again. And repost.

Many people that have hepatitis C have a higher then norm value. I have cirrhosis and my AFP highs have been in the 150s at times.

You had a CT scan done recently with contrast, correct? Do you know if it was a 4-phase multidetector CT scan? Who are you seeing? A GI doc or a hepatologist. Where was the CT scan done? At a hospital that has a liver clinic or transplant center.

Don't you have other pass AFP test results? What were the numbers before?
It appears from the CT results that you don't have signs of stage 4 cirrhosis. They would have seen nodules on your liver and signs of portal hypertension such as varices and ascites.

This could be a very serious issue. If I were you I would check to make sure the number 210 is correct and check the units. That normal range(10-200) doesn't seem right, AFP normally is in the single digits. AFP is a substance made in the liver of an unborn baby (fetus). Normally, low levels of AFP can be found in the blood of a pregnant woman. No AFP (or only a very low level) is generally found in the blood of healthy men or healthy, nonpregnant women.

AFP is also a tumor marker. So again this is something that should be a top priority until the reason for such a high level is determined by a hepatologist. Like any elevated tumor marker, elevated AFP by itself is NOT diagnostic, only suggestive. So other imaging tests should be performed.

Hopefully this is a false alarm. But you must find out the cause of this high level of AFP now. You do not want to wait or put it off.

Best regards.
Hector

[Vannh9]

Hector,

Thanks so much for your comprehensive answer and I apologize because that was the wrong acronym....so many to keep up with. I has an AAT which is alpha 1 antitrypsin that was 210. NOT the AFP....again my apologies.

They did do a cat scan...just a normal one..not the 4 phase. I am seeing the lead Hepatologist at Duke, but testing is being done at satellite. I don't have any prior test as this is ALL so new to me.

The one thing the Cat Scan did reveal is "patent recanalized umbilical vein" which as I understand it, can imply portal hypertension, but the cat scan just said...the liver "looked" normal.

My AST is 71 and ALT is 75. elevated potassium and the above results for the AAT. I got those lab results late on Friday, so I haven't spoken to the Doctor. I still don't have Genotype or viral load. Sent an email Friday when the other labs were uploaded asking for viral load and Genotype. I do have the biopsy scheduled fro 9.12.2011 and know that will tell the story.

I only have 2 physical symptoms...fatigue (at times severe) and more recently...severe indigestion.

Again, sorry for my mistype with the acronym...I realize that was a huge error!! I do appreciate your feedback.

Thanks~
Vann

[eureka254]

Well, really glad that it's not your AFP that's elevated; as Hector pointed out that would certainly be something of concern.  AAT is a chemical produced by the liver in response to inflammation, and the fact that they found significant levels is not unusual if you have chronic liver disease. There are folks who have  a genetic condition that causes AAT deficiency, where there body doesn't produce enough, and for those people, hcv is especially aggressive for the lack of AAT.  So, it's actually good that they found lots of it -- shows you don't have AAT deficiency, which would exacerbate your hcv.  

You've been doing your research on umbilical veins! :)  Yes, it can reform in the setting of portal hypertension.  The most important aspect of CT Scan is to exclude lesions, which it did in your case :)... a good thing.  Unfortunately, CT Scan is not sensitive in detecting all stage of liver damage or cirrhosis.  As Hector points out, a decompensating liver will show apparent signs on CT imaging if there architectural change, but it's also important to keep in mind that a well-compensated cirrhotic liver can also escape detection of damage via imaging.

Best of luck on your biopsy... I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you! ~eureka

[Vannh9]

Thank you so much for the additional clarification about the. AAT. Glad to know that this is a good thing..who knew...right (LOL)

So the biopsy is the key....thanks for your good thoughts and for just being here!!

Vann