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Test Code FLAFP Fluid Alpha-Fetoprotein

Important Note

Fluids submitted that are not on the list of acceptable fluid types require laboratory director approval for analysis. Please page the Clinical Chemistry Director On-Call at 2-1769 for approval.

Acceptable fluid types include: Cerebral Spinal Fluid, Cyst, Drainage, Pericardial, Peritoneal, Pleural, Amniotic Fluid and Synovial.

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Fluid

Preferred Specimen: Non-additive/Non-gel plastic containers with tight-fitting leak-proof lids

Other Acceptable specimens: Sterile Plastic Container, Sterile Clean Glass Container

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 collected in sterile container.
  • No preservatives or additives.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 1.0 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent refrigerated at 2-8oC.

 

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, viscous or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that are collected with preservatives or additives.

Reference Values

 

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

AFPS

All

All

N/A

 

Test method analytical performance not validated for specimen type. No reference range available. The test result must be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical context of the patient. 

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

CPT Codes

82105

LOINC Codes

N/A

Volume

Preferred Volume: 2.0 mL

Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

24 hours

Refrigerated

7 days

Frozen

30 days

Collection Instructions

  • Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 
  • No preservatives or additives.

 

Test Components

Alpha-Fetoprotein

Clinical Indications

Differentiate between malignant vs. non-malignant causes of fluid accumulation.

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) - Roche Diagnostics

Additional Information

  • No reference range avaliable. The test 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.
  • Results verified by manual dilutions.

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

1/26/23