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Definition
What is alpha-fetoprotein?
Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the liver and egg sac (yolk sac) in the fetus during the pregnancy process. After giving birth, the level of AFP in the blood will decrease. AFP does not have a specific function in the body of an adult. In men, women (who are not pregnant), and children, AFP in the blood can show the presence of several types of cancer, especially cancer of the testicles, ovaries, stomach, pancreas, or liver. High levels of AFP can also be found in people with Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, brain tumors, and kidney cell cancer.
When should I take alpha-fetoprotein?
The AFP test is carried out for:
- examine fetal and brain defects (called neural tube defects) in the body of a pregnant woman. It is estimated that as many as 2 out of every 1,000 births experience neural tube defects. Birth defects due to damage to the neural tube system in the fetus are not related to maternal age. Most mothers with babies neural tube defects also do not have a history of this disorder
- monitor fetal development of mothers with Down syndrome
- detect certain types of cancer, especially testicular, ovarian, or liver cancer. However, 5 out of 10 people with liver cancer do not have high AFP levels
- evaluate the effectiveness of cancer treatment that is being undertaken
- detect liver cancer (called hepatoma) in people who have cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing alpha-fetoprotein?
Some other tests, such as ultrasound tests and amniocentesis tests, are likely to be carried out if the lab finds abnormal AFP levels in the body. If an ultrasound test fails to find the cause of an abnormal AFP, the doctor will perform an amniocentesis test. The amniocentesis test can measure AFP levels in amniotic fluid. However, normal levels of AFP also do not guarantee a normal pregnancy or a healthy baby. Many mothers with normal levels of AFP in amniotic fluid, have abnormal levels of AFP in the blood. They tend to have a lower risk of having children with neural tube defects.
AFP levels in the blood are often measured by a maternal serum triple or quadruple screening test.
Process
What should I do before undergoing alpha-fetoprotein?
There is no special preparation before undergoing this test. If you are pregnant, you will be weighed first because the range of test results will be determined based on your weight. The range of test results will also be adjusted for race, age, and how many weeks of your womb age.
What is the process of alpha-fetoprotein?
Your blood will be taken as an AFP test sample. Blood collection is carried out in a diagnostic laboratory in accordance with outpatient procedures. Usually, this procedure only takes a few minutes and is relatively painless. There are no special preparations needed before undergoing an AFP test.
What should I do after undergoing alpha-fetoprotein?
After testing, you can return home. Usually, the test results will come out in one to two weeks.
Explanation of Test Results
What do the test results mean?
Normal:
The normal range for Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) tests may vary depending on the laboratory you choose. The range written here is only a general picture of the range of results.
| Alpha-fetoprotein in the blood | |
| Men and women (who are not pregnant): | 0–40 nanograms per milliliter (ng / mL) or microgram per liter (mcg / L) 2 |
| Pregnant woman (womb 15-18 weeks): | 10-150 ng / mL or mcg / L3 |
The table above is a general measurement for the results of this test. The normal range for AFP tests can vary depending on the laboratory you choose. Discuss with your doctor if there are questions about your test results. Estimates of the exact age of the womb can support test results in measuring accurate amounts of AFP. From the 14th week of the womb, the number of AFP gradually will continue to increase and slowly will decrease in one to two months before birth. The normal range for black women is generally higher than white women. Meanwhile, the normal range for Asian women is slightly lower than white women.
The normal range of AFP values for each woman will be adjusted based on age, weight, and race. In addition, the age of the fetus or pregnancy and diabetes in the mother must also be considered. In essence, doctors and patients (especially women) need to adjust the normal range of AFP values when undergoing an AFP test.
Abnormal
Index rises
In pregnant women, high levels of Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) indicate:
- prediction of fetal age or improper pregnancy
- women contain twins
- baby has a neural tube defect
- baby's intestine or other abdominal organs are outside the body (called omphalocele or abdominal wall defects). surgery after birth will be needed
- baby dies
In men / women (who are not pregnant), high levels of Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) indicate:
- cancer of the liver, testicles or ovaries
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- alcohol abuse
Index falls
In pregnant women, low alpha-fetoprotein levels indicate:
- prediction of fetal age or improper pregnancy
- baby may have Down syndrome
In men / women (who are not pregnant), alpha-fetoprotein not found.
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