Serum AFP or Alpha-fetoprotein test is a blood test used to measure alpha-fetoprotein in the blood. Serum AFP is used as a tumor marker for mainly liver cancer and germ cell tumors of testicles and ovaries. The AFP test price usually ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1200 and in-home sample collection is also available.
Tumor markers are substances that are found to be elevated in blood in certain kinds of cancers.
Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein made in the liver and yolk sack of a growing baby. AFP levels are usually high when a baby is born but eventually fall by the age of 1. In healthy adults, the AFP levels are very low. The AFP test done in pregnancy is different from the AFP tumor marker test.
| Also known as | Total AFP, alpha-fetoprotein-L3 Percent, Serum AFP test |
| Purpose | For the diagnosis of liver cancer and cancers of ovaries and testicles |
| Preparation | No special preparation is needed. No fasting required |
| Cost | Rs 500- Rs 1200 |
| Reporting time | <24 hours |
AFP Test Price usually ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 1200. The actual price depends on the diagnostic center and the city. Moreover, Bookmerilab partners with more than 200 diagnostic centers across India. We provide a 10-50% discount on medical diagnostic tests.
The table below lists the prices at some of the popular diagnostic centers.
| Name of Lab | Test Price |
|---|---|
| Redcliffe Labs | Rs 800 |
| Dr Lal Path labs | Rs 800 |
| Metropolis Healthcare | Rs ( City-based ) |
| SRL Diagnostics | Rs 990 |
| Vijaya Diagnostics | Rs 1100 |
The AFP test cost depends on and varies from one city to another. Moreover, a Diagnostic chain can have different prices in different cities.
The table below lists the city-wise prices. You can click on the link to get the list of diagnostic centers, their prices, and discount.
An Alpha-fetoprotein or AFP test may be used for
AFP Test may also be ordered as part of the triple or quadruple tests (maternal screening tests) in pregnant ladies to check for genetic disorders in unborn babies. It is different from the AFP Tumor Marker Test.
Do inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine both prescription and non-prescription, ayurvedic, etc. Your doctor may advise you to stop the ones that can affect the test results like antihypertensives (drugs used for high BP). DO NOT stop any medication on your own.
It is a fairly simple diagnostic blood test. A blood sample is taken from the vein in your arm or hand by the following steps-
The entire procedure takes only a few minutes.
It is a very simple and safe test. The risks involved are the same as that of any other blood test. These include-
Minor pain and bruising that might occur will resolve on their own in a very short time.
The normal range of Alpha-fetoprotein is less than 10 nanograms per milliliter in adult males and non-pregnant females.
| Parameter | Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) | <10 | ng/mL |
Alpha-fetoprotein levels should not be used as a sole indicator but in conjunction with the findings from clinical evaluation and other diagnostic procedures.
There is no lower limit for AFP levels in non-pregnant females and males.
Increased levels of AFP in males or non-pregnant females may be found in
If you are undergoing treatment for cancer and are getting repeated tests done, the results may be interpreted as follows-
An AFP tumor marker test cannot be solely used to screen for or diagnose cancer. This is because high AFP levels don’t necessarily mean cancer and normal levels do not necessarily rule out cancer. AFP levels may be high due to other reasons like pregnancy and liver conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc. AFP levels may also be high when the liver is regenerating after a liver injury, like in patients with liver transplants. Thus, in such cases, the AFP Test results are false positive.
Alpha-fetoprotein or AFP test is used with other tests for the diagnosis of liver cancer or cancers of ovaries or testicles. It may also be high in other cancers like Hodgkin’s lymphoma or in non-cancerous conditions of the liver as well as pregnancy. There is a separate AFP Test for pregnancy. Regardless of the results, it is essential for you to discuss them with your healthcare provider for a better understanding and course of action. The prognosis of most cancers is better with early diagnosis and timely treatment. AFP Test, along with other diagnostic tests can thus help in the early detection of the above-mentioned cancers.
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The normal AFP level is less than 10 nanograms per milliliter in adult males and non-pregnant females.
High AFP may be an indicator of cancer. Levels above 400ng/mL may be present in liver cancer or germ cell tumor of ovaries and testicles.
Yes, severe cases of fatty liver may increase AFP levels.
AFP levels start rising from the 15th to the 20th week of pregnancy and vary from 10ng/mL to 150ng/mL.
An AFP blood test is done as a part of triple test (maternal serum screen) during pregnancy to check the baby’s risk of birth defects and genetic disorders, such as neural tube defects or Down syndrome. This test is different from the AFP tumor marker test.
No, fasting is not needed.
What is an Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Tumor Marker Test? | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Alpha Fetoprotein – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
AFP Test
Dr Garima Saroj is a dentist from Manipal college of dental sciences. She has previously worked at ESIC dental college and hospital Delhi and Dentecare multispecialty dental clinic Gurugram. She has a passion for writing for patient education and awareness.
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