Severe alpha-fetoprotein AFP increase (> 350 ng/ml in adults):.It is produced in the embryonic liver, intestine and yolk sac. Therefore, your doctor will tell you if it is necessary to perform additional tests for a proper diagnosis.Ī moderate alpha-fetoprotein increase may due also to a benign liver disease such as cirrhosis or hepatitis. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein (molecular weight 69.000 Dalton, 4 carbohydrates) with great similarity to albumin. Moderate alpha-fetoprotein AFP increase (100 - 350 ng/ml in adults):Ī moderate alpha-fetoprotein increase in a non-pregnant woman is sometimes related to a primary liver cancer ( hepatocellular carcinoma).Higher levels of AFP may mean that your fetus has an. The test helps find out whether your fetus has higher than normal levels of AFP.
The protein passes through the placenta and into your blood. AFP is a protein made by your fetus' liver. Its biological role is unclear and factors that may influence its concentrations in neonates are only partially identified. If you are pregnant, this test looks for a fetal substance called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in your blood. Therefore, your doctor will study your medical history, the complete blood test and all the information related to your case to explain you the possible reason for that increase. Background: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein molecule, which has similarity to albumin and is produced by the fetal liver. The alpha-fetoprotein blood test has a low specificity because there are many disorders, both benign and malignant, that may elevate the alpha-fetoprotein level in the blood. The level of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood is a bit high.
The content of this page is valid for non-pregnant people when the test is requested as a tumor marker. Its usually part of whats called a triple screen or quad. It is performed within the triple test during pregnancy and it has its own meaning. An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a blood test that measures the amount of AFP present in blood. The alpha-fetoprotein blood test is also performed on pregnant women to detect congenital anomalies (birth defects). Other articles where alpha-fetoprotein is discussed: cancer: Molecular evaluation: pancreatic or gastrointestinal cancers and alpha-fetoprotein and chorionic gonadotropin, which can indicate testicular cancer. If your doctor has ordered the alpha-fetoprotein blood test and you are not a pregnant woman is usually because he suspects that you can suffer from liver or testicular cancer, two types of cancer that elevated the presence of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood. Some disorders and diseases may elevate the Alpha-Fetoprotein (α-Fetoprotein or AFP) in a blood test, such as some types of cancer or benign liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or cholestasis. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) conversion to g/L, ng/L, ng/dL, ng/100mL, ng, ng/mL, IU/mL.