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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Hepatitis / March 2005AFP levels?
Saw the gastro doc at the VA last Wednesday. He glanced at my outside labs and said I/we are starting over, we need our own labs. I asked about biopsy and he said It wasn't required, but if I wanted one they would do it. OK, get the blood drawn and come back in 4 weeks when we will have all the labs. Thursday night when I got home there was a phone message from the doc. He said call radiology and schedule a CT scan as soon as possible. Well......this scared the sh.t out of me. He gave no reason in the message. What a way to kick off a relaxing evening. I called the next morning and found that he wants the scan because my AFP or Alpha-Fetoprotein level is elevated. My number is 90. After doing a little web research I see that this is not a seriously bad number and I have had a recent clear ultrasound. I can rule out that my baby is at risk for Downs syndrome because I am male and not pregnant. :-) Question is what is yall's experience with AFP levels? aaron See another doctor, if I'm not mistaken a biopsy is always taken to check for serious liver damage and autoimmune hep before starting tx. Someone else in this ng will have to answer the AFP thing Sue my recent afp test was 4. That was up 4 from 0.That got my mind curious. Some hcv folks AFP levels can be as high as 500. Note the normal limits are 0-6. ( from lab-corps limits) I would do the scan/tests, with contrast. This can show raised areas on the liver best. Did you have any previous afp tests? And dont think AFP tests are just for liver conditions. And, take the reults in stride. A panic state/worry is useless. read up on ip-6 and inositol. Leave red meats and animal fats out of your regular diet. An ocasional steak is cool. No booze. No cigs. And as little drugs as needed. Take extra care of the body. Exercise/walk....... Randy p.s. on all serious matters, get other opinions. > Saw the gastro doc at the VA last Wednesday. He glanced at my outside > labs and said I/we are starting over, we need our own labs. I asked [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > aaron In males, AFP is used as a tumor marker. It is elevated (many times your level) in liver cancer. Some other situations can cause mildly abnormal values. Best to consult with your doctor. I have heard of some docs doing CT scans prior to liver biopsy, rather than ultrasound. A huge and unnecessary expense. Not recommended but it does happen. Question everything. Thom AFP levels are not only used as tumor markers in males but females also. Mine have been elevated but we found out that the lab was notorious for coming up with high AFPs. Mine was up in the 150's at one point (156? --I think) and everybody went bananas. I had to be checked for tumors ASAP. It turned out to be a tempest in a teapot. That test is notoriously unreliable as a tumor indicator, and it would have to be much higher (500's) for it to be cause for real concern. All I know now is that the blasted test got me kicked out of a clinical trial, doggone it! > Saw the gastro doc at the VA last Wednesday. He glanced at my outside > labs and said I/we are starting over, we need our own labs. I asked [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > aaron thanks to all that replied. I am calmer now. Doctors phone messages to get a test ASAP are not conducive to relaxation. To burningdaylight: I don't get my choice of doctors at the VA and it may be a VA policy that a biopsy is not required before treatment. aaron |
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