Published: 06/07/2021
Keywords: Alpha-Fetoprotein, AFP, high, blood

What does a high alpha-fetoprotein AFP mean?

Some disorders and diseases may elevate the Alpha-Fetoprotein (α-Fetoprotein or AFP) in a blood test, such as some types of cancer or benign liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or cholestasis.

If your doctor has ordered the alpha-fetoprotein blood test and you are not a pregnant woman is usually because he suspects that you can suffer from liver or testicular cancer, two types of cancer that elevated the presence of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood.

The alpha-fetoprotein blood test is also performed on pregnant women to detect congenital anomalies (birth defects). It is performed within the triple test during pregnancy and it has its own meaning. The content of this page is valid for non-pregnant people when the test is requested as a tumor marker.

Mild alpha-fetoprotein AFP increase (8.5 - 100 ng/ml in adults):

The level of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood is a bit high. The alpha-fetoprotein blood test has a low specificity because there are many disorders, both benign and malignant, that may elevate the alpha-fetoprotein level in the blood.

Therefore, your doctor will study your medical history, the complete blood test and all the information related to your case to explain you the possible reason for that increase.

Moderate alpha-fetoprotein AFP increase (100 - 350 ng/ml in adults):

A moderate alpha-fetoprotein increase in a non-pregnant woman is sometimes related to a primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).

Therefore, your doctor will tell you if it is necessary to perform additional tests for a proper diagnosis.

A moderate alpha-fetoprotein increase may due also to a benign liver disease such as cirrhosis or hepatitis.

Severe alpha-fetoprotein AFP increase (> 350 ng/ml in adults):

The probability of suffering a liver cancer in a non-pregnant woman with a severe alpha-fetoprotein increase in the blood is very high.

Concentrations over 1000 ng/mL usually are indication of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).

Which values are considered a high alpha-fetoprotein AFP in a blood test?

The following values are considered to be above the normal range:

IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in ng/ml. They are an example of a healthy adult of about 40 years old with no known disease, not taking any medication and not pregnant if you are a woman. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.

Alpha-fetoprotein AFP
Mild alpha-protein AFP increase
8.6 ng/ml	8.7 ng/ml	8.8 ng/ml	8.9 ng/ml	9 ng/ml	9.1 ng/ml	9.2 ng/ml	9.3 ng/ml
9.4 ng/ml	9.5 ng/ml	9.6 ng/ml	9.7 ng/ml	9.8 ng/ml	9.9 ng/ml	10 ng/ml	10.1 ng/ml
10.2 ng/ml	10.3 ng/ml	10.4 ng/ml	10.5 ng/ml	10.6 ng/ml	10.7 ng/ml	10.8 ng/ml	10.9 ng/ml
11 ng/ml	11.1 ng/ml	11.2 ng/ml	11.3 ng/ml	11.4 ng/ml	11.5 ng/ml	11.6 ng/ml	11.7 ng/ml
11.8 ng/ml	11.9 ng/ml	12 ng/ml	12.1 ng/ml	12.2 ng/ml	12.3 ng/ml	12.4 ng/ml	12.5 ng/ml
12.6 ng/ml	12.7 ng/ml	12.8 ng/ml	12.9 ng/ml	13 ng/ml	13.1 ng/ml	13.2 ng/ml	13.3 ng/ml
13.4 ng/ml	13.5 ng/ml	13.6 ng/ml	13.7 ng/ml	13.8 ng/ml	13.9 ng/ml	14 ng/ml	14.1 ng/ml
14.2 ng/ml	14.3 ng/ml	14.4 ng/ml	14.5 ng/ml	14.6 ng/ml	14.7 ng/ml	14.8 ng/ml	14.9 ng/ml
15 ng/ml	15.1 ng/ml	15.2 ng/ml	15.3 ng/ml	15.4 ng/ml	15.5 ng/ml	15.6 ng/ml	15.7 ng/ml
15.8 ng/ml	15.9 ng/ml	16 ng/ml	16.1 ng/ml	16.2 ng/ml	16.3 ng/ml	16.4 ng/ml	16.5 ng/ml
16.6 ng/ml	16.7 ng/ml	16.8 ng/ml	16.9 ng/ml	17 ng/ml	17.1 ng/ml	17.2 ng/ml	17.3 ng/ml
17.4 ng/ml	17.5 ng/ml	17.6 ng/ml	17.7 ng/ml	17.8 ng/ml	17.9 ng/ml	18 ng/ml	18.1 ng/ml
18.2 ng/ml	18.3 ng/ml	18.4 ng/ml	18.5 ng/ml	18.6 ng/ml	18.7 ng/ml	18.8 ng/ml	18.9 ng/ml
19 ng/ml	19.1 ng/ml	19.2 ng/ml	19.3 ng/ml	19.4 ng/ml	19.5 ng/ml	19.6 ng/ml	19.7 ng/ml
19.8 ng/ml	19.9 ng/ml	20 ng/ml	20.1 ng/ml	20.2 ng/ml	20.3 ng/ml	20.4 ng/ml	20.5 ng/ml
20.6 ng/ml	20.7 ng/ml	20.8 ng/ml	20.9 ng/ml	21 ng/ml	21.1 ng/ml	21.2 ng/ml	21.3 ng/ml
21.4 ng/ml	21.5 ng/ml	21.6 ng/ml	21.7 ng/ml	21.8 ng/ml	21.9 ng/ml	22 ng/ml	22.1 ng/ml
22.2 ng/ml	22.3 ng/ml	22.4 ng/ml	22.5 ng/ml	22.6 ng/ml	22.7 ng/ml	22.8 ng/ml	22.9 ng/ml
23 ng/ml	23.1 ng/ml	23.2 ng/ml	23.3 ng/ml	23.4 ng/ml	23.5 ng/ml	23.6 ng/ml	23.7 ng/ml
23.8 ng/ml	23.9 ng/ml	24 ng/ml	24.1 ng/ml	24.2 ng/ml	24.3 ng/ml	24.4 ng/ml	24.5 ng/ml
24.6 ng/ml	24.7 ng/ml	24.8 ng/ml	24.9 ng/ml	25 ng/ml	25.1 ng/ml	25.2 ng/ml	25.3 ng/ml
25.4 ng/ml	25.5 ng/ml	25.6 ng/ml	25.7 ng/ml	25.8 ng/ml	25.9 ng/ml	26 ng/ml	26.1 ng/ml
26.2 ng/ml	26.3 ng/ml	26.4 ng/ml	26.5 ng/ml	26.6 ng/ml	26.7 ng/ml	26.8 ng/ml	26.9 ng/ml
27 ng/ml	27.1 ng/ml	27.2 ng/ml	27.3 ng/ml	27.4 ng/ml	27.5 ng/ml	27.6 ng/ml	27.7 ng/ml
27.8 ng/ml	27.9 ng/ml	28 ng/ml	28.1 ng/ml	28.2 ng/ml	28.3 ng/ml	28.4 ng/ml	28.5 ng/ml
28.6 ng/ml	28.7 ng/ml	28.8 ng/ml	28.9 ng/ml	29 ng/ml	29.1 ng/ml	29.2 ng/ml	29.3 ng/ml
29.4 ng/ml	29.5 ng/ml	29.6 ng/ml	29.7 ng/ml	29.8 ng/ml	29.9 ng/ml	30 ng/ml	30.1 ng/ml
30.2 ng/ml	30.3 ng/ml	30.4 ng/ml	30.5 ng/ml	30.6 ng/ml	30.7 ng/ml	30.8 ng/ml	30.9 ng/ml
31 ng/ml	31.1 ng/ml	31.2 ng/ml	31.3 ng/ml	31.4 ng/ml	31.5 ng/ml	31.6 ng/ml	31.7 ng/ml
31.8 ng/ml	31.9 ng/ml	32 ng/ml	32.1 ng/ml	32.2 ng/ml	32.3 ng/ml	32.4 ng/ml	32.5 ng/ml
32.6 ng/ml	32.7 ng/ml	32.8 ng/ml	32.9 ng/ml	33 ng/ml	33.1 ng/ml	33.2 ng/ml	33.3 ng/ml
33.4 ng/ml	33.5 ng/ml	33.6 ng/ml	33.7 ng/ml	33.8 ng/ml	33.9 ng/ml	34 ng/ml	34.1 ng/ml
34.2 ng/ml	34.3 ng/ml	34.4 ng/ml	34.5 ng/ml	34.6 ng/ml	34.7 ng/ml	34.8 ng/ml	34.9 ng/ml
35 ng/ml	35.1 ng/ml	35.2 ng/ml	35.3 ng/ml	35.4 ng/ml	35.5 ng/ml	35.6 ng/ml	35.7 ng/ml
35.8 ng/ml	35.9 ng/ml	36 ng/ml	36.1 ng/ml	36.2 ng/ml	36.3 ng/ml	36.4 ng/ml	36.5 ng/ml
36.6 ng/ml	36.7 ng/ml	36.8 ng/ml	36.9 ng/ml	37 ng/ml	37.1 ng/ml	37.2 ng/ml	37.3 ng/ml
37.4 ng/ml	37.5 ng/ml	37.6 ng/ml	37.7 ng/ml	37.8 ng/ml	37.9 ng/ml	38 ng/ml	38.1 ng/ml
38.2 ng/ml	38.3 ng/ml	38.4 ng/ml	38.5 ng/ml	38.6 ng/ml	38.7 ng/ml	38.8 ng/ml	38.9 ng/ml
39 ng/ml	39.1 ng/ml	39.2 ng/ml	39.3 ng/ml	39.4 ng/ml	39.5 ng/ml	39.6 ng/ml	39.7 ng/ml
39.8 ng/ml	39.9 ng/ml	40 ng/ml	40.1 ng/ml	40.2 ng/ml	40.3 ng/ml	40.4 ng/ml	40.5 ng/ml
40.6 ng/ml	40.7 ng/ml	40.8 ng/ml	40.9 ng/ml	41 ng/ml	41.1 ng/ml	41.2 ng/ml	41.3 ng/ml
41.4 ng/ml	41.5 ng/ml	41.6 ng/ml	41.7 ng/ml	41.8 ng/ml	41.9 ng/ml	42 ng/ml	42.1 ng/ml
42.2 ng/ml	42.3 ng/ml	42.4 ng/ml	42.5 ng/ml	42.6 ng/ml	42.7 ng/ml	42.8 ng/ml	42.9 ng/ml
43 ng/ml	43.1 ng/ml	43.2 ng/ml	43.3 ng/ml	43.4 ng/ml	43.5 ng/ml	43.6 ng/ml	43.7 ng/ml
43.8 ng/ml	43.9 ng/ml	44 ng/ml	44.1 ng/ml	44.2 ng/ml	44.3 ng/ml	44.4 ng/ml	44.5 ng/ml
44.6 ng/ml	44.7 ng/ml	44.8 ng/ml	44.9 ng/ml	45 ng/ml	45.1 ng/ml	45.2 ng/ml	45.3 ng/ml
45.4 ng/ml	45.5 ng/ml	45.6 ng/ml	45.7 ng/ml	45.8 ng/ml	45.9 ng/ml	46 ng/ml	46.1 ng/ml
46.2 ng/ml	46.3 ng/ml	46.4 ng/ml	46.5 ng/ml	46.6 ng/ml	46.7 ng/ml	46.8 ng/ml	46.9 ng/ml
47 ng/ml	47.1 ng/ml	47.2 ng/ml	47.3 ng/ml	47.4 ng/ml	47.5 ng/ml	47.6 ng/ml	47.7 ng/ml
47.8 ng/ml	47.9 ng/ml	48 ng/ml	48.1 ng/ml	48.2 ng/ml	48.3 ng/ml	48.4 ng/ml	48.5 ng/ml
48.6 ng/ml	48.7 ng/ml	48.8 ng/ml	48.9 ng/ml	49 ng/ml	49.1 ng/ml	49.2 ng/ml	49.3 ng/ml
49.4 ng/ml	49.5 ng/ml	49.6 ng/ml	49.7 ng/ml	49.8 ng/ml	49.9 ng/ml	50 ng/ml	50.1 ng/ml
50.2 ng/ml	50.3 ng/ml	50.4 ng/ml	50.5 ng/ml	50.6 ng/ml	50.7 ng/ml	50.8 ng/ml	50.9 ng/ml
51 ng/ml	51.1 ng/ml	51.2 ng/ml	51.3 ng/ml	51.4 ng/ml	51.5 ng/ml	51.6 ng/ml	51.7 ng/ml
51.8 ng/ml	51.9 ng/ml	52 ng/ml	52.1 ng/ml	52.2 ng/ml	52.3 ng/ml	52.4 ng/ml	52.5 ng/ml
52.6 ng/ml	52.7 ng/ml	52.8 ng/ml	52.9 ng/ml	53 ng/ml	53.1 ng/ml	53.2 ng/ml	53.3 ng/ml
53.4 ng/ml	53.5 ng/ml	53.6 ng/ml	53.7 ng/ml	53.8 ng/ml	53.9 ng/ml	54 ng/ml	54.1 ng/ml
54.2 ng/ml	54.3 ng/ml	54.4 ng/ml	54.5 ng/ml	54.6 ng/ml	54.7 ng/ml	54.8 ng/ml	54.9 ng/ml
55 ng/ml	55.1 ng/ml	55.2 ng/ml	55.3 ng/ml	55.4 ng/ml	55.5 ng/ml	55.6 ng/ml	55.7 ng/ml
55.8 ng/ml	55.9 ng/ml	56 ng/ml	56.1 ng/ml	56.2 ng/ml	56.3 ng/ml	56.4 ng/ml	56.5 ng/ml
56.6 ng/ml	56.7 ng/ml	56.8 ng/ml	56.9 ng/ml	57 ng/ml	57.1 ng/ml	57.2 ng/ml	57.3 ng/ml
57.4 ng/ml	57.5 ng/ml	57.6 ng/ml	57.7 ng/ml	57.8 ng/ml	57.9 ng/ml	58 ng/ml	58.1 ng/ml
58.2 ng/ml	58.3 ng/ml	58.4 ng/ml	58.5 ng/ml	58.6 ng/ml	58.7 ng/ml	58.8 ng/ml	58.9 ng/ml
59 ng/ml	59.1 ng/ml	59.2 ng/ml	59.3 ng/ml	59.4 ng/ml	59.5 ng/ml	59.6 ng/ml	59.7 ng/ml
59.8 ng/ml	59.9 ng/ml	60 ng/ml	60.1 ng/ml	60.2 ng/ml	60.3 ng/ml	60.4 ng/ml	60.5 ng/ml
60.6 ng/ml	60.7 ng/ml	60.8 ng/ml	60.9 ng/ml	61 ng/ml	61.1 ng/ml	61.2 ng/ml	61.3 ng/ml
61.4 ng/ml	61.5 ng/ml	61.6 ng/ml	61.7 ng/ml	61.8 ng/ml	61.9 ng/ml	62 ng/ml	62.1 ng/ml
62.2 ng/ml	62.3 ng/ml	62.4 ng/ml	62.5 ng/ml	62.6 ng/ml	62.7 ng/ml	62.8 ng/ml	62.9 ng/ml

Medically reviewed by our Medical staff on 06/07/2021

Bibliography

Concise Book of Medical Laboratory Technology: Methods and Interpretations. 2nd Edition. 2015. Ramnik Sood. ISBN: 978-93-5152-333-8. Pag. 683.
Laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures : with nursing diagnoses. Jane Vincent Corbett, Angela Denise Banks. 8th ed. 2013. ISBN: 978-0-13-237332-6. Pag. 246.
Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry. Carl A. Burtis, Edward R. Ashwood, David E. Bruns. 2008. ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-7216-3865-2 Pag 299.

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Blood test

High Alpha-Fetoprotein AFP in a blood test

Summary

What is a high alpha-fetoprotein AFP in a blood test called?

What is the normal alpha-fetoprotein AFP in a blood test?

What does a high alpha-fetoprotein AFP mean?

Which factors can raise the alpha-fetoprotein AFP in a blood test?

Which diseases can raise your alpha-fetoprotein AFP in a blood test?

What can I do to lower the alpha-fetoprotein AFP in a blood test?

Where can I find more information about alpha-fetoprotein AFP in a blood test?

Which values are considered a high alpha-fetoprotein AFP in a blood test?

Bibliography

Rating Overview