Repeat Alpha fetoprotein blood test

[wurzle]

Hi it's been a whiĺe since I've been on here. I have arld since 2000 which has been pretty stable for past 2 or 3 yrs. I had a regular abdomen us recently which was apparently fine. I have just received a letter from one of the liver nurses asking me to get a blood test for alpha fetoprotein which they say was missing from my last lft. Initially I took this at face value but after looking it up and finding it is an indicator of liver tumors I'm starting to get a bit worried. I'm trying not to read too much into it but why would they suddenly need that now shortly after my ultrasound and why not wait until my 3 month lft which is due next month.? The earliest I can get a blood test is the end of this month. I can't really talk to my family about it as I don't want to worry them unduly. Am I worrying about nothing? The next couple of weeks are going to be really tough mentally waiting for the results. My health anxiety is going to be off the scale ~ Holly x

Edit: been looking through my past test results and this test does not seem to be one of the usual tests they do. Why would they order this unless my last ultrasound gave cause for concern?

[AyrshireK]

AFP should be one of the tests they do every 6 months as part of your routine screening. If your scan had really shown anything of concern you would have been told and would probably have been sent for a follow up more detailed scan such as MRI. I wouldn't read too much into this test being requested, someone has hopefully just noticed it hasn't been being done.

Katie

[wurzle in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you so much Katie . That's done a lot to put my mind at rest thanks 💜

[Mango5cm in reply to wurzle]

My son has decompensated cirrhosis and his consultant requested an AFP test a few weeks ago . He was worried about it as well as he’d never had one before . He got the results within a few days - it was normal . Please try not to be anxious . I told my son it’s good that the consultant is checking everything .

Hope everything goes well best wishes Carol

[wurzle in reply to Mango5cm]

Thank you Carol x

[Lantana100]

My husband was diagnosed with compensated cirrhosis in 2019 and AFP has always been included in his panel of 6 monthly blood tests. To date it has always been normal and health wise he is currently very well. It’s good they have now added this for you - it’s an extra precaution for keeping you healthy.

[wurzle in reply to Lantana100]

Thank you x

[Ruby1960]

I think it depends on who the doctor is. Some do it routinely when I have my LFTs, some don’t.

[wurzle in reply to Ruby1960]

Thank you. That's very reassuring x

[Greengal314]

They probably realized it was an oversight. I wouldn’t read anything else into it.

[wurzle]

Thank you all for your reassuring posts. I was starting to work myself into a state with worry and upset. Being a weekend I thought I'd be stuck with this and no-one yo call and ask for help and advice about this. Yet again you guys have greatly reassured me. Just shows what an amazing resource this forum is and not to rely on Dr Google for answers ~ Holly xx

[Bluegirl52]

I always have an AFP done every six months. I’m in the U.S. It’s routine just like the scans.