Yes, I changed the title. I did some reading recently. The more I read, the more I’m worried.
I just reviewed my AFP value since 2013 (there are a few missing data from 2013 to 2016), as shown below.
My AFP is always high (most of the time out of the range of 0~10), but has been stable for quite a while. The concern comes from the persistent increase three times in a row in the recent checks (from 01/2024 to 05/2025, increased by 4 units). BTW, I have been doing regular workout for at least a year, not sure whether it is impacting the numbers.
More background info can be found [Nonspecific heterogeneous appearance of the liver]
Generally AST,ALT is normal (except ALT is slightly elevated (35) in the checks in 01/2025. I also got GCC elevated (43) in Jan check
Ultrasound was fine, except 'Nonspecific heterogeneous appearance of the liver" found in Jan check.
Can someone please give me some insights why my AFP is always high for so many years?
Can I seek your opinion here what should I ask my specialist for the next step?
Update: my specialist will order an MRI for me. I know that is the right and best thing I can do at the moment, but just can’t stop worrying. Anyone shares similar story? Any opinions/comments please?
I’ve had persistently elevated AFP for decades, ranging from about 13 to about 60. For me it tended to increase with having symptoms, before I was on antivirals. Some of the most recent research seems to indicate it tends to be elevated in people who do not develop liver fibrosis, so it could be the result of a protective measure besides indicating cancer when it’s at much higher values
Every doctor that sees it tends to jump to getting imaging done to look for tumors and they tend to get fixated on it in my experience
For me the mild elevations don’t bother me at all for what it’s worth. I don’t bother to do it personally but the general advice of occasional ultrasound screening is probably good advice
Thanks for sharing your results. The normal range for AFP is below 40 - in cases of cancer it goes up to the hundreds or thousands. Such small fluctuations as seen in your results are seen regularly in people without liver cancer.
