Current promotion
Testicular Cancer Tumor Marker Tests: AFP, hCG & LDH
AFP, hCG, and LDH, the three tumor markers used in testicular evaluations, available online as single tests or bundled men's panels.
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LDH from $15.96, hCG from $23.96, and AFP from $37.56 with promotional pricing; bundled men's panels range from $46.36 up to $899.16 (pricing at time of writing).
At a glance
AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) are the blood tumor markers most commonly used in testicular cancer screening and monitoring. You can order each marker individually or as part of multi-marker men's panels, with no doctor's referral needed to purchase. Results are confidential and intended to be reviewed with your physician.
Best suited for
- Men who noticed a testicular lump, swelling, or heaviness and are seeing a clinician about it
- Men asked by their doctor to track AFP, hCG, or LDH levels between appointments
- Men who want a tumor-marker baseline as part of a proactive health strategy
- Men comparing single-marker tests versus bundled men's cancer screening panels
What's included
AFP Test
Alpha-Fetoprotein and AFP-L3 Test
hCG Total Quantitative Test
hCG Qualitative Urine Test
Lactate Dehydrogenase Test
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Key biomarker ranges
Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.
Adult male ranges shown; commonly used reference ranges run roughly 300–1,000 ng/dL, with morning draws the standard since levels peak early in the day.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Low | 0–300 ng/dL |
| Normal range | 300–1000 ng/dL |
| High | 1000–1200 ng/dL |
The importance of testing
Each of the three markers tells a different part of the story. AFP is a tumor marker whose elevated levels are associated with testicular cancer as well as liver conditions such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. hCG, measured quantitatively in blood, is used in men to evaluate certain tumors. LDH is an enzyme that reflects tissue turnover, and elevated levels are associated with several conditions, including some cancers, which is why clinicians read it alongside the other two markers rather than in isolation.
Doctors use these markers not only in initial evaluations but also for monitoring: tracking marker levels over time is one of the standard ways to follow therapy response or watch for recurrence of markers associated with testicular tumors. That makes repeat testing on a schedule you set with your physician more informative than any single result.
Physical changes are usually the first prompt to test. A new lump or swelling in a testicle, a change in size or shape, a heavy or dragging feeling in the scrotum, or newly prominent veins (a varicocele) are all reasons to see a healthcare provider promptly. Tumor marker results are useful data to bring to that visit, but they do not replace a physical exam, they flag findings to review with your doctor, not a medical conclusion.
If you want broader context in one draw, the men's tumor-marker and cancer screening panels bundle AFP, hCG, and LDH with PSA and additional health biomarkers, giving you and your doctor a wider baseline to work from.
Promo code
ULTA2E51Save 20% with code ULTA2E51, current promotion; confirm final pricing on the partner page.
Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
What do AFP, hCG, and LDH blood tests measure?
They measure three tumor markers in blood: AFP (alpha-fetoprotein, a protein), hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone), and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase, an enzyme reflecting tissue turnover). Elevated levels of these markers are associated with testicular tumors as well as several non-cancerous conditions, so results are always interpreted together and in clinical context by your doctor.
Can a blood test detect testicular cancer?
No blood test confirms testicular cancer on its own, AFP, hCG, and LDH screen for markers associated with testicular tumors and are used alongside a physical exam and imaging. If you have found a lump or swelling, see a healthcare provider promptly; marker results are supporting data for that evaluation, not a substitute for it.
Do I need a doctor's order to get tumor marker tests?
No, these are direct-to-consumer lab tests you can order online without a referral, then complete with a quick blood draw at a partner lab. Results are returned confidentially and quickly, and they are designed to be shared with your physician for interpretation and any follow-up.
How are tumor markers used for monitoring over time?
Doctors track marker levels across repeat tests to follow therapy response and watch trends over time, since a rising or falling pattern is more informative than one isolated value. If you are monitoring with your physician, they will set the retesting interval; ordering the same tests each time keeps your trend line consistent.
Is this testing available in every US state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. In most other US states you can order online and visit a nearby lab for sample collection.
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