AFP - Good news?

[Neon]

Just had my first blood test result after going back to monthly testing following a rise in AFP.
My HCG results were not in yet, but they have been steady at <2. On the other hand, my AFP had been rising over the past 6 months from 4.2 to 5.6 to 6.9 just last month. As of Friday's result, it was a 6.2, the first drop.
Would, or could, a relapse show up as a rise and fall of AFP or would it be a steady rise? My labs still consider 6.1 as the top range, so I'm *just* above that. I'm still wondering if I shouldn't have taken my onco up on those 2xBEP rounds he offered for additional insurance, although I'm sure I'm not the only guy on the board who has given himself and ulcer laying awake at night wondering what this or that random pain means....
So, anyone roller coaster before relapsing? Anyone roller coaster and then be find?

[Scott]

This link comes in handy again.

[Fish]

I would think that 6.2 vs 6.1 is within the error range of the test. You really don't appear to have a sustained rise in APF. Scott's link is an excellent source of information. At this point, all you can really do is keep monitoring and try not to worry too much. If I were in your place, I think I could be happy with the most recent results.

BTW are you still having chest pain, and how is you BP?

Best wishes

[AdrianB1971]

My AFP 2.1->.....->5.9->....3.9

[Neon]

Fish,

Yes, I was very happy just to have it drop! Still wish it was lower, though. Reading AdrianB1971's reply below yours, I got the answer I was looking for, as his level goes up and then down.

The chest pain is less, but it still comes and goes. It only started since I began Androgel a few weeks ago. My Testosterone level was 274 as of last weeks test, up from ~180. My theory is that it took a bit for my body to let the bottle do the work and slow up natural production and maybe my testosterone level shot up pretty high and then settled down before the blood test. Not sure though, my regular doctor gave me an EKG (normal) and is going to send me to a cardiologist for a stress test. I laughed and told him I have plenty of stress in my normal job...didn't need more.

Well, hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend, I just spent 16 hours working in the Launch Control Center firing room trying to get the Space Shuttle off the pad. Maybe tomorrow!

Take care,
Jeff

[Fish]

Congratulations on the successful shuttle launch. It was spectacular, best fireworks of the whole day.