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The test may be especially recommended if you:. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.
This usually takes less than five minutes. There is very little risk to you or your baby with an AFP blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Another test called amniocentesis provides a more accurate diagnosis of Down syndrome and other birth defects, but the test has a small risk of causing a miscarriage. If your results show higher than normal AFP levels, it may mean your baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida , a condition in which the bones of the spine don't close around the spinal cord, or anencephaly, a condition in which the brain does not develop properly.
If your results show lower than normal AFP levels, it may mean your baby has a genetic disorder such as Down syndrome, a condition that causes intellectual and developmental problems.
If your AFP levels are not normal, it doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem with your baby. It may mean you are having more than one baby or that your due date is wrong.
Alpha-fetoprotein AFP is found in both fetal serum and also amniotic fluid. This protein is produced early in gestation by the fetal yolk sac and then later in the liver and gastrointestinal tract.
The true function of AFP is unknown. The AFP test is measuring high and low levels of alpha-fetoprotein. High levels of AFP may suggest the developing baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly. However, the most common reason for elevated AFP levels is inaccurate dating of the pregnancy.
Low levels of AFP and abnormal levels of hCG and estriol may indicate the developing baby has Trisomy 21 Down syndrome , Trisomy 18 Edwards Syndrome or another type of chromosome abnormality. It is important to remember that the AFP is a screening test and not a diagnostic test. This test only notes that a mother is at risk of carrying a baby with a potential disorder.
There are approximately 25 to 50 abnormal test AFP results for every 1, pregnancies tested. Of these abnormal results, only 1 in 16 to 1 in 33 will actually have a baby that has been affected by a neural tube defect or other condition. A more conservative approach involves performing a second MSAFP or complete triple screen test followed by a high definition ultrasound. If the testing still maintains abnormal results, a more invasive procedure such as amniocentesis may be performed.
Invasive procedures should be discussed thoroughly with your healthcare provider. It is also important to talk through further testing with your partner. If your results show high levels of AFP, it may confirm a diagnosis of liver cancer, or cancer of the ovaries or testicles.
Sometimes, high levels of AFP can be a sign of other cancers, including Hodgkin disease and lymphoma , or noncancerous liver disorders. If you are being treated for cancer, you may be tested several times throughout your treatment. After repeated tests, your results may show:. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. You may have heard of another type of AFP test that is given to some pregnant women. It is used to check for the risk of certain birth defects and has nothing to do with cancer or liver disease.
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
What is an AFP alpha-fetoprotein tumor marker test? What is it used for? An AFP tumor marker test may be used to: Help confirm or rule out a diagnosis of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles. Monitor cancer treatment. AFP levels often go up if cancer is spreading and go down when treatment is working.
See if cancer has returned after treatment. Monitor the health of people with cirrhosis or hepatitis. Why do I need an AFP tumor marker test? The procedure takes only a few minutes and is relatively painless. No special preparation is necessary before an AFP test. A healthcare professional will use a small needle to withdraw blood from a vein, usually in your arm or hand.
A laboratory specialist will analyze the sample. Results are typically available within one to two weeks. However, the most common cause of elevated AFP levels is inaccurate dating of the pregnancy. AFP levels vary widely during pregnancy. You can have an abnormal AFP reading due to a multiple pregnancy, such as having twins or triplets.
An abnormal AFP reading can also be due to fetal death. According to the American Pregnancy Association , results are abnormal for 25 to 50 pregnant women out of every 1, pregnant women given an AFP test.
However, only between 1 in 16 and 1 in 33 women who have abnormal results will actually have a baby with a birth defect. It only indicates that more tests are necessary for your doctor to make a diagnosis.
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