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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 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

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

CPT Codes

82105

LOINC Codes

1834-1

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

5 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

3 months

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Test Components

Alpha-Fetoprotein

Clinical Indications

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

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) - Roche Diagnostics

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.

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: up to 4 hours

Testing Schedule:  24/7

Synonyms/Keyword Search

AFP Tumor Marker, Alpha 1-fetoprotein

Last Review Date

8/14/2024