| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry | ||||
| Test Name: |
ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN (AFP) - (P)
Test Code:
AFP
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| Clinical Information: |
Test Indications: This test is used to assist in the management of patients with germ cell tumors or hepatocellular carcinoma. It is not used for the measurement of AFP levels in maternal serum or amniotic fluid.
Alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) is formed in the yolk sac during fetal life, non-differentiated liver cells, and the fetal gastro-intestinal tract. Tumors that synthesize AFP are primarily germ cell tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma. Patient Preparation Instructions: Multivitamins (45–125 µg biotin) or biotin-only supplements up to 1 mg per day do not interfere with this test. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. >5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours after the last dose. Additional Information: The test method used is an Electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) assay manufactured by Roche Diagnostics Inc. and performed on the Cobas Elecsys system. Patient results determined by different assay manufacturers or methods are not comparable and cannot be used interchangeably for patient monitoring. |
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| Collection Devices: |
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| Specimen Required: |
Plasma: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.25 mL
Stability 14 days refrigerated, 6 months frozen |
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| Referral: |
Serum: 2.0 mL
Samples must be transferred to an aliquot tube and stored frozen if analysis will not be complete within 48 hours (#110-10-05 Serum / Plasma Separation Procedure & Transport)
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| Requisition: | |||||
| Reference Values: |
≤ 12 mo: Range for newborns is not available, but concentrations over 100,000 μg/L have been reported in normal newborns and the values rapidly decline in the first 6 months of life, reaching normal by one year.
≥ 13 mo: ≤ 7 μg/L |
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| Availability: |
Daily
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| See Also: | |||||
| More Information: |
Ship to: Health Sciences Centre - MS5.
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