Causes of High Alpha Fetoprotein Levels

Are abnormal levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood a cause for concern? Read on to learn about the detailed causes of elevated AFP levels.

What are the Causes of Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein?

The causes of elevated AFP levels vary between pregnant women and non-pregnant women or men. Here is an explanation of this:

• Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein in Pregnant Women

Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein that develops in the fetal liver, and blood tests are usually performed on all pregnant women to measure its levels to check for the risk of genetic disorders or birth defects in the fetus.

High levels of AFP typically indicate an increased risk of neural tube defects in the fetus, such as:

1. Spina Bifida: A condition where the bones of the spine do not close over part of the spinal cord.
2. Anencephaly: A serious congenital malformation where the brain does not develop properly, and the baby is missing parts of the brain and skull either completely or partially.

However, the result could be a false positive, meaning that the AFP levels are high in the pregnant woman, but the fetus is healthy. The most common cause of elevated AFP in pregnant women is an incorrect estimation of the due date or carrying more than one baby.

• Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein in Non-Pregnant Women or Men

Although AFP tests are most often requested for pregnant women, a doctor may sometimes order the test for others. 

Elevated levels in non-pregnant women or men can indicate certain tumors or health issues, including:

1. Liver, ovarian, testicular, lymphoma, or lung cancer.
2. Toxic hepatitis or autoimmune hepatitis.
3. Hepatitis A, B, or C.
4. Cirrhosis of the liver.
5. A rare genetic disorder known as Ataxia-telangiectasia, which affects the immune system, nervous system, and other body systems.

It should be noted that elevated AFP levels do not necessarily mean the presence of cancer or the aforementioned health issues, nor do they indicate an increased likelihood of developing them.

• Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein in Cancer Patients

A doctor may order AFP level tests several times for cancer patients during or after treatment to monitor changes over time. 

Here are the causes of elevated AFP during or after treatment:

• Elevated AFP during treatment: High AFP levels during treatment may mean that the treatment is not working, indicating that the cancer is not responding to treatment or is still growing.
• Elevated AFP after treatment: If AFP levels rise shortly after treatment, it may indicate that the tumor is growing again.

How to Determine the Cause of Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein?

The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is merely a tool to measure the level of the protein in the body and assist in diagnosing cancer or other issues. However, it does not necessarily indicate a problem. If the doctor notices significantly elevated levels or a sudden increase, they may order one of the following tests for a precise diagnosis:

• Ultrasound.
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) for pregnant women.

Blazma offers the Alpha Fetoprotein test, which does not require fasting or any other specific conditions.