Does anyone know how to read this?

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

alpha-1 fetoprotein tumor marker, serum/plasma   11.5 IU/ML ---In Range( 0.5-5.0 )

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Yes that is what I was asking. Thanks.

[HectorSF]

One function of the AFP blood test is as a cancer tumor marker for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is a cancer that can develop when a person has advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis of the liver. F3-F4. This is why folks with advanced liver disease are screened for HCC periodically as they have an increased risk of developing HCC as opposed to people with no liver disease and those with earlier stages of fibrosis F0-F2.

Note: The risk of developing HCC after SVR is greatly reduced but not entirely at the level of risk as for someone who never had cirrhosis. Therefore it is advised that surveillance for HCC is continued for a number of years after a person with cirrhosis has achieved SVR.
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Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C"

Recommended follow-up for patients who achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR).

Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma with twice-yearly ultrasound testing is recommended for patients with advanced fibrosis (ie, Metavir stage F3 or F4) who achieve an SVR.
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AFP can also rise above normal levels due to other reason as well. One being, In some folks with with active hepatitis C infection AFP blood levels can increase due to the inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus injuring the liver. Therefore after the virus is cleared, the AFP level will drop as the inflammation decreases. Inflammation of the liver is also noted by the decrease in ALT level during and after hep C treatment.

When AFP levels rise in the presence of HCC, levels may rise progressively over time into the hundreds or thousands indicating the cancer is growing. It is important to catch the cancer in its early stages when it is still treatable, which is why periodic surveillance is performed in those with a higher than normal risk.

Since not all HCC tumors emit this tumor marker, ultrasound or an other imaging study must be done in combination with AFP testing to catch those ~40% of tumors that don't emit AFP. Ultimately all HCC is confirmed visually so imaging studies are essential for surveillance and diagnosis.

There is also a blood test called AFP-L3 that can differentiate between elevations of AFP caused by liver cancer (HCC) and elevations caused by other conditions or diseases.

So basically you AFP level is normal for someone with your history of hepatitis C and is no reason for concern.
Continuing with surveillance just as other folks to who are at a higher risk for cancers do. Such as those that have periodic mammograms.
Early cancer detection is the key to best outcomes.
Hector

[flyinlynn]

Yes that is why the AFP is used in concert with abdominal ultrasound to look for possible indications of HCC.

I believe Hector at one point was trying to get his AFP numbers below 500 so our low numbers don't mean HCC and as Mom said are likely due to hep c.

[AWorriedMom]

Patients who are pregnant also get this test. It is a marker for neural tube defects in fetuses. In hep C patients it can be a marker for liver cancer when it is elevated much higher than yours. You have a slight elevation that is likely caused by the fact that you have hep C. I would not worry for one second about your result. But patients should know that only 60% of HCC patients will show elevations in AFP. It isn't the greatest test.

[flyinlynn]

This is my most recent AFP test from while I am on treatment it is much lower than my previous before I was on treatment

AFP, TUMOR MARKER
Value 15.6           Std Range 0.0-8.3

My result from Jan 2014 before ant recent treatment was:

AFP, TUMOR MARKER
Value 26.3           Std range 0.0-8.3

I get this test every 6 months because I have cirrhosis it is used as an indicator of liver cancer when done along with an abdominal ultrasound to look for early signs of liver cancer.

Is this what you are asking?

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

It's listed under AFP-Non Maternal.