Description
Alpha-fetoprotein test
This health test kit is intended to make a diagnostic of primary hepatocellular carcinomas, testicular teratocarcinoma, and neural tube defects.
PRODUCT CONTENTS
- test cassette
- alcohol pad
- blood lancet
- pipette for taking blood
- instruction insert
Read about diseases you may diagnose using this test device:
Testicular cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma
This product is CE marked and intended only for the use of health care professionals. The test is not intended for use by lay persons and the performance and safety of the test have not been assessed in home use.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, α-fetoprotein; also sometimes called alpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoglobulin, or alpha fetal protein) is a plasma glycoprotein that help to transport.
Description
Alpha-fetoprotein is a globulin protein secreted by the yolk sac, gastrointestinal tract and by fetal liver cells during hepatic cell multiplication, during the adulthood in the liver. Therefore the highest amounts of AFP are found during pregnancy and in hepatic cancer and sometimes in case of other malignancies.
Although AFP is not a specific genetic marker for malignancies, its measurement may be used to monitor the effectiveness of surgical and chemotherapeutic management of hepatomas and germ cell neoplasms.
It consists of 591 amino acids and a carbohydrate moiety. The molecular mass is about 70 kDa. The gene that controls the production of AFP is located on the q arm of chromosome 4 (4q25).
Reference values
The reference values during the pregnancy are:
12 weeks’ gestation <42 µg/mL;
14 weeks’ gestation <35 µg/mL;
16 weeks’ gestation <29 µg/mL;
18 weeks’ gestation <20 µg/mL;
20 weeks’ gestation <18 µg/mL;
22 weeks’ gestation <14 µg/mL;
30 weeks’ gestation <3 µg/mL;
35 weeks’ gestation <2 µg/mL;
40 weeks’ gestation <1 µg/mL;
Normal adult levels are usually achieved by the age of 8 to 12 months.
Approximately 97 to 98% of the healthy population present AFP levels less than 8.5 ng/mL. In high risk patients, AFP values between 100 and 350 ng/mL suggest hepatocellular carcinoma. Concentrations over 350 ng/mL usually are indication of the disease.
Expected values for the AFP ELISA Test System male and female < 8.5 ng/mL (97–98%).
The Alpha-fetoprotein test is able to help you to check if your reference values are normal.
