Adult patient:
Clotted blood tube
(Serum gel separator clot activator tube)
Minimum blood volume: 5 mL
Paediatric patient:
Paediatric clotted blood tube
Number of vials: 2
Minimum blood volume: 1.6 mL
Authorisation code required
No
24 Hr available service
No
Method
Immunoassay
Reference interval
| Age | Male (µg/L) | Female (µg/L) |
| 1 - 29.999 day | < 16,400 | < 19,000 |
| 30 day - 1 yr | < 28 | < 77 |
| 2 - 3 yr | < 8 | < 11 |
| 4 - 6 yr | < 6 | < 4 |
| 7 - 12 yr | < 4 | < 6 |
| 13 - 18 yr | < 4 | < 4 |
| Adults | < 7 | < 7 |
(Source:
- Soldin SJ, Hicks JM, Godwin ID, Beatey J, Bailey J, Cook JF. Peadiatric Reference Ranges for Alpha-Fetoprotein. Clin Chem 1992; 38: 959 - 60
- Heil W, Koberstein R, Zawta B. Reference Ranges for Adults & Children, pre-analytical considerations, Roche Diagnostics GmbH 2004)
Clinical indication
Detection and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma and germ cell tumours, particularly for recurrence after treatment
Assessment of risk for neural tube and other defects in utero, including Down syndrome (one of the components of the triple test)
Result interpretation
Hepatocellular carcinoma is usually associated with very high levels of AFP, but a normal level does not exclude this diagnosis, nor of germ cell tumour.
Moderate increases may occur with non-malignant disease associated with liver cell regeneration.
In pregnancy increased levels have high sensitivity and low specificity for fetal abnormalities. Low maternal levels are associated with Down syndrome pregnancies; results must be interpreted in conjunction with other tests – please consult pathologist.
Measurement of uncertainty
Frequency of measurement
Daily