Normal value of alpha-fetoprotein O-7

Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein synthesized by the fetal liver. This protein is produced automatically within two weeks after the birth of the fetus. Alpha-fetoprotein is mainly for the normal development of the fetus, but adults also have a small amount of alpha-fetoprotein. Under normal circumstances, the alpha-fetoprotein level is below 25. A high level is a positive symptom and may cause diseases such as liver cancer and germ cell tumors.

Alpha-fetoprotein, abbreviated as AFP in English, is a special protein synthesized by the liver during the fetal period. About two weeks after the fetus is born, AFP gradually disappears from the blood. Of course, for various reasons, a certain amount of alpha-fetoprotein also exists in the blood of adults. The doctor introduced that the normal value of alpha-fetoprotein is: 0-25ug/L, the low positive concentration is: 25-400ug/L, and the high positive concentration is: more than 400ug/L.

If the alpha-fetoprotein value is high, that is, positive, it may be a signal of a certain disease, such as tumors such as liver cancer and germ cell cancer, or some liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.

According to surveys, about 80% of liver cancer patients have high AFP levels. This is because when liver cells become cancerous, the function of producing AFP is restored, and the amount of AFP in the serum gradually increases as the disease worsens. Therefore, clinically, a specific clinical indicator for diagnosing primary liver cancer is alpha-fetoprotein.

At the same time, about 50% of patients with germ cell cancer also have high alpha-fetoprotein levels; patients with some other tumors, such as gastrointestinal tumors, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, etc., also have elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels to varying degrees.

For patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis, their serum alpha-fetoprotein may also be high, but the increase is generally small and lasts for a short time.

Seeing this, many people may be worried because their alpha-fetoprotein levels exceed the normal value, which is 25ug/L.

In fact, even if the alpha-fetoprotein value exceeds the normal value, don't be too nervous or afraid. Although alpha-fetoprotein is a specific marker of liver cancer and one of the signals of other diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, a high (positive) value found in a physical examination does not necessarily mean that you have these diseases. For example, for pregnant women, alpha-fetoprotein will increase significantly 3 months after pregnancy. By July-August, the amount of AFP in the maternal blood will reach its peak and be relatively stable, but still not exceeding 400μg/L. About 3 weeks after delivery, the alpha-fetoprotein value in the serum will gradually return to normal levels.

Conversely, a low (negative) alpha-fetoprotein value may also indicate liver cancer. Studies have shown that about 20% of patients with advanced liver cancer have alpha-fetoprotein levels below 10 ug/L until their death.

In short, the diagnosis of whether a person has liver cancer, cirrhosis and other diseases does not rely solely on the alpha-fetoprotein test. If you want to determine whether you have liver cancer, you should also do liver function and serum ferritin tests under the guidance of a doctor.