Outside of pregnancy, an AFP test will evaluate and monitor certain cancerslikeliver cancerand ovarian or testicular tumors.
The test resultscannotdiagnose birth defects or conditions.
AFP is a protein made by the fetus.
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It moves from the placenta to the pregnant person’s blood.
An AFP test will show if the fetus has low, normal, or high levels of AFP.
Here is what the levels could mean:
What Is a Normal AFP Test Result During Pregnancy?
Test results will vary based on a person’s age, health history, and gender.
After birth, AFP levels drop significantly and healthy adults have very low AFP levels.
High AFP levelsindicate a risk of liver cancer or an ovarian ortesticular tumor.
It also could be a result of noncancerous liver disease.
High AFP levelscannotbe used as a diagnosis for cancer.
AFP levels can also be normal in people who do have liver, ovarian, and testicular cancer.
The healthcare provider will use a small needle to draw a blood sample from a vein in the arm.
The blood is then placed into a collection tube.
The blood draw should take less than five minutes.
After the blood sample is drawn, the blood is processed in a lab.
The AFP test results will be provided to the healthcare provider and patient.
How long it takes to processresultswill vary from location to location.
Other AFP Test Uses
The AFP blood test can be used to detect certain types of cancer.
Very high results of over 400 ng/mL could indicate a liver tumor.
It could also be a sign of other liver conditions or ovarian or testicular tumors.
Test results can vary from person to person and need to be interpreted along with other data.
A healthcare provider will order additional testing to help determine the issue.
If someone has an abnormal pregnancy AFP result, their healthcare provider may order additional testing.
These tests would provide images of the areas to guide the provider’s decision-making.
The AFP test is a reasonable risk indicator but cannot diagnose a disease or condition.
If necessary, a healthcare provider will order additional testing to make a firm diagnosis.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Alpha-fetoprotein (maternal blood).
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening test.
MedlinePlus.Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test.
MedlinePlus.Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) tumor marker test.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Alpha-fetoprotein tumor marker (blood).
