Is it a new thing for blood to be tested for AFP as a routine blood test?

[blubelle]

[Puddles]

Hi BluBelle,

I was diagnosed about 5 months ago with stage 1 PBC. I have changed doctors along the way. The first doctor said I needed yearly AFP and ultrasound to screen for liver cancer. The next doctor I went to didn't order this test and when I asked why he said that screening was only necessary in later stages of PBC if cirrhosis occurred.

Be very interested to hear the experiences of others in relation to this.

Puddles

[WendyMarie]

My Hepatologist said it is standard procedure to have the annual AFP. Although it is rare for cancer to occur, PCB patients are at a higher risk, so it's done as a precaution.

[crundalite]

What is AFP?

[Hidden in reply to crundalite]

I know AFP is a blood test that is normally carried out in pregnant women as standand. I remember having when I had my children years ago.

I'm not sure if I have had this done back in 2010 prior to PBC diagnosis Dec 2010. Know I haven't had this done since diagnosis as I receive my print out of the bloods each time I have them.

I noticed on my last blood print out there was one that I'd not seen before, it turned out it was for kidneys. Apparently that was within normal range in PBC but it is a fact that kidney function does start to slowly diminish with age.

I personally do not worry about these things myself. I'd rather just get on without thinking about this test and that test. To me these days my life is for living and I've no intentions of hanging about thinking about these sort of things.

I think it will vary if you are in America as opposed to England where I am but again I have found tests and opinions also vary from Health Trust to Health Trust in the UK.

In the last 3yrs I've found that it has been the medics who have caused me more stress than the PBC!!! I thought this yr I had finally managed to get into some semblance with blood routine and med review, etc whilst everything is pretty much stable but then Sept along comes the GP and says I cannot have 90 days of urso anymore, have to have a month which for some odd reason they say is 28 days! I have yet to voice my opinion on this Dec and see if I can get a repeat now for more than 28 days. I am finding at present with this, I do tend to think more about the PBC than I had been doing.

[crundalite]

Thanks again Peridot for clarfying AFP. At 68 i don't think I am likely to ever be in need of it! I agree with you that at times-and 20 years post diagnosis-the significance of tests can be more stressfull and cause more problems than the PBC! I too try to live my life to the full although at present I wish my referral to the specialist hospital in Birmingham was over and done with! I usually try to forget about the PBC as much as possible. ONE life. LIVE it!

[nomorepies]

Hi Blubelle, I had AFP bloods taken at my first consultant appointment last December, if abnormal it could indicate a tumour.

[blubelle]

Thanks for all your replies. I'm not aware of having it done before just noticed it on the form I've to take with me and curious if it was something new as I've to go for a "routine scan" too although just had this in June and my previous scan was way back in 2010. I see theres one for kidneys too.

[Jaycee]

Hi There, can you tell me what AFP means, I've not heard of it, Thanks

[blubelle]

It means alpha fetoprotein and as mentioned above is used as a tumour marker for patients with pbc.