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Test Code AFPS Alpha-1-Fetoprotein

Important Note

This test may be affected by biotin interference. Patients on high dose biotin (5mg/day or more) should not have samples drawn until at least 24 hours after the last biotin administration.

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Specimen: Red Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Gold Top, Plasma/Li-Heparin Mint Green Top

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

5 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

6 months

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent room temperature at 15-25oC.

 

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours

Reference Values

 

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

AFPS

All

All

<9.0 ng/mL

Critical Values

Not applicable 

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: Not Available as STAT test

Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours

Testing Schedule:  24/7

Clinical Indications

Follow-up management of patients undergoing treatment for testicular and ovarian tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Test Components

Alpha-Fetoprotein

CPT Codes

82105

LOINC Codes

1834-1

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) - Roche Diagnostics

Synonyms/Keyword Search

AFP Tumor Marker, Alpha 1-fetoprotein

Additional Information

  • Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
  • Alpha 1-fetoprotein (AFP) values determined on patient samples by differing testing procedures (methods/manufacturers) cannot be directly compared with one another and could be the cause of erroneous medical interpretations.

Last Review Date

8/14/2024

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL