What does high alpha peptide protein mean?

Nowadays, medical care is relatively advanced, and almost everyone has to have a physical examination every year. There will be a lot of data in the physical examination form that most people cannot understand. Among them, alpha-fetoprotein is a glycoprotein. Some people may know that if the alpha-fetoprotein is high, it may mean that you have liver disease. So, besides liver disease, what else could it be? Today, follow the editor to find out what high alpha-fetoprotein means.

What does elevated alpha-fetoprotein mean?

1. Liver cancer. Liver cancer is one of the common causes of elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels. Generally, alpha-fetoprotein levels are elevated 8 months before the onset of liver cancer symptoms. Therefore, patients with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and family members with liver cancer should undergo regular check-ups based on their own conditions. Note: It is unreliable to diagnose or rule out a disease based solely on elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels.

2. Pregnancy. Alpha-fetoprotein will increase significantly during pregnancy, generally 3 months after pregnancy, and the amount of AFP in the maternal blood reaches its peak and is relatively stable in July and August, but it is still below 400μg/L, and gradually returns to normal levels about 3 weeks after delivery.

3. Newborns. Newborns may also experience a temporary increase in alpha-fetoprotein, because alpha-fetoprotein is a normal plasma protein component of the fetus and the main protein in the early embryo.

4. Neonatal hepatitis. AFP can be detected in 30% of neonatal hepatitis patients. The incidence rate increases with the severity of the disease, and most cases increase significantly. This can be distinguished from congenital biliary atresia, in which the alpha-fetoprotein is mostly normal.

5. Non-malignant diseases. AFP may be elevated in non-malignant diseases such as acute and chronic hepatitis, recovery period of severe hepatitis, cirrhosis, congenital bile duct occlusion, and malformed fetus, but the increase is relatively small and lasts for a short time.

6. Germ cell tumors. According to data, about 50% of patients with germ cell tumors have positive alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). If the alpha-fetoprotein level in male patients is greater than 25μg/L, the possibility of testicular cancer should also be considered.

7. Viral hepatitis. During the active phase of chronic hepatitis, alpha-fetoprotein is slightly or moderately elevated, generally between 50 and 300 μg/L. Unlike hepatocellular carcinoma, the increase is low and generally does not continue to increase. It decreases and eventually returns to normal after treatment.

What to do if alpha-fetoprotein is high

1. You can eat more fruits rich in vitamin C, because vitamin C has anti-cancer effects. Although it cannot significantly reduce the level of alpha-fetoprotein, it can prevent alpha-fetoprotein from continuing to rise.

2. High alpha-fetoprotein may be related to liver overload. Therefore, we should pay attention to a light diet and eat small meals frequently. Because the liver cannot completely metabolize a large amount of food, it will cause liver pressure and cause high alpha-fetoprotein.

3. Eat more fungi, such as black fungus, shiitake mushrooms, and mushrooms, which can improve immunity. Fish is rich in protein and easy to digest. Eat less or no fried, pickled, greasy, spicy or irritating foods. It is better to eat a light diet.