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AFP (Liver Disease)
minimum sample volume required ~ 5ml
Test Code: AFH
Tube type: SST
Special instructions
None
Reference Range
<3 months: no range quoted
3+ months: <8
Please note: following method change 10/01/23 patients with known elevated AFP may have lower results with the new method.
Minimum retesting interval
Test should not be repeated within 7 days
Units
kU/L
Turnaround Time
2
days
Department: Biochemistry
Clinical Application
Alpha-fetoprotein is a single polypeptide chain glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approx. 70,000 daltons. Synthesis of AFP occurs primarily in the liver and yolk sac of the foetus. It is secreted into foetal serum, reaching a peak at about 13 weeks gestation and gradually declining thereafter. Elevated AFP levels subsequently re-appear during pregnancy and in conjunction with several malignant diseases: 70%-95% of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma have elevated AFP values. The later the stage of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, the higher the AFP values. HCG and AFP are important parameters for estimating the survival rate of patients with advanced, non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. Greatly elevated AFP values generally indicate primary liver cell carcinoma. When liver metastases exist, the AFP values are generally below 350–400 kIU/L As the AFP values rise during regeneration of the liver, moderately elevated values are found in alcohol-mediated liver cirrhosis and acute viral hepatitis. NOTE: For diagnosis and monitoring of germ-cell tumours (e.g seminoma, testicular teratoma), beta-hCG and LDH should also be requested
