Newcastle Laboratories

Alpha-foetoprotein, serum

Clinical Background:

AFP is a glycoprotein secreted by the yolk-sac and liver of the foetus and is therefore absent in the serum of healthy adults. It is also produced by a variety of tumours including hepatocellular c...

AFP is a glycoprotein secreted by the yolk-sac and liver of the foetus and is therefore absent in the serum of healthy adults. It is also produced by a variety of tumours including hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoblastoma, and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the ovary and testis (eg, yolk sac and embryonal carcinoma). It is useful in the follow-up management of patients undergoing cancer therapy and often used in conjunction with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Whilst its function is unknown, its amino-acid sequence shows similarities with albumin and suggests a carrier protein function. It has a half-life in the region of 4.5 - 6 days.

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL

    0.5 mL

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated: 7 days
    Separated:

    - At 20-25C - 3 days

    - At 2-8C - 7 days

    - At -20C - 3 months

    Unseparated: 7 days
    Separated:

    - At 20-25C - 3 days

    - At 2-8C - 7 days

    - At -20C - 3 months

  • Reference Ranges:

    18 years and over: <6kU/L

    AFP levels are very high at birth and fall within the first weeks of life, with a half-life of 5.5 days. Suggest repeat within 24 hours to monitor trend if concerned.

    18 years and over: <6kU/L

    AFP levels are very high at birth and fall within the first weeks of life, with a half-life of 5.5 days. Suggest repeat within 24 hours to monitor trend if concerned.

  • Other Info:

    Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

    Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

24/7, analysed at Freeman

Turn Around:

Urgent testing is available by arrangement with the laboratory. Please contact the Duty Biochemist to arrange this.

- Routine sample: 4 hours

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences

Freeman Hospital
Freeman Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DN

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