Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
AFP is a glycoprotein secreted by the yolk-sac and liver of the foetus and is therefore absent in the serum of healthy adults. It is also produced by a variety of tumours including hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoblastoma, and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the ovary and testis (eg, yolk sac and embryonal carcinoma). It is useful in the follow-up management of patients undergoing cancer therapy and often used in conjunction with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Whilst its function is unknown, its amino-acid sequence shows similarities with albumin and suggests a carrier protein function. It has a half-life in the region of 4.5 – 6 days.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 mL
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Unseparated: 7 days
Separated:
– At 20-25C – 3 days
– At 2-8C – 7 days
– At -20C – 3 months
Availability:
24/7, analysed at Freeman
Reference ranges:
18 years and over: <6kU/L
AFP levels are very high at birth and fall within the first weeks of life, with a half-life of 5.5 days. Suggest repeat within 24 hours to monitor trend if concerned.
Other info:
Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable