Is an AFP elevation of 10.1 for a period of at least 6 months cause for concern?

[Shari71]

Hi,
I don't know if I have cause to be concerned but I saw my gastroenterologist about 6 months ago for a number of symptoms (heartburn, etc) and he ordered a ton of blood tests -- the results showed that my AFP tumour marker was 10.1. I repeated the blood tests about 3 months ago and just found out via his secretary that my level is pretty much the same (don't know if it is exactly the same or a bit higher or lower) and he is referring me to a hematologist. I don't know if this is relevant but my WBC count was also elevated on both tests (around 12.2) and my ferritin is low. I'm a 45 yr old female and in otherwise good health.
I've googled what this might mean and I've seen lymphoma and leukemia come up quite frequently. I should note that another symptom I've been having for many months now is dizziness/lightheadedness and, as usual, I'm always tired, but my family doctor chalked all of this up to being "probably just anxiety". All my immunoglobin & hepatitis tests were fine as were all my other liver function tests (the only other things that were off some things in my CBC but he didn't seem to focus on these).
The fact that he is bothering to refer me thinks there must be some cause for concern & I'm wondering if anyone here has had similar AFP levels that turned out to be cancer? Also, would 10.1 be considered a mild elevation? Has anyone had this and it turned out to be no big deal?
Thanks very much for any & all input,
Shari

[skrillz]

Any follow up on this? Have your levels remained elevated?

[Ken_PA]

Hi, I haven't seen AFP as a marker for blood cancers. Do you have a citation/link for that?

Also, this paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18795704
shows 13.6 ug/L as the lower range. Can you call the doc's office and get the range? Some labs might have different ranges.


Btw, do you happen to have easy bruising or bleeding?


Also is it possible that you are dehydrated, causing the dizziness and tiredness? Being dehydrated could also make many blood values more concentrated. Have you had  creatinine/BUN tested?