Unexpected elevated AFP

The first scare more than 2.5 years ago resulted in us ordering an ultrasound for mum. Fatty liver was (probably) the cause of the elevated AFP.

Fatty liver was further confirmed about 8 to 9 months later but AFP was normal few months before this. It was again normal in late 2024 but a year after that it was elevated once again.

As an aside, mum has been diligently exercising for about an hour everyday, when she's isn't unwell. She has also cut down on fatty and fried food. Hence, we'll be surprised if there's still fatty liver. Also, tests showed, for two consecutive years, that she's immune to hepatitis A and B and non-reactive to hep C and so we didn't order these tests for 2025.

Both Pathlab and mum's GP advised us to get ultrasound done. Dr Yeoh was confident that it would show that there is nothing wrong, despite the elevated AFP. He suggested that mum consult doctor at her usual Klinik Kesihatan at Penaga so as to get free ulstrasound done. The doctor at Penaga, however, stated that mum is in good health condition and, specifically, her liver function test result is clean. Hence, there is no need to order an ultrasound.

I discussed with mum and offered her three choices:

(1) Leave it as it is.

(2) Order ultrasound at private centre.

(3) Retest AFP in a month or two time.

I favour (3) as it's cheaper and easier to do than (3). I said that she can decide which one she wants closer to the time although she already said she would defer to my opinion.