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</div><div><span>Alpha fetoprotein</span></div></div>
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<article><div id="d-article"><div class="page-info"><div class="page-title"><a name="start" id="start">
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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Alpha fetoprotein</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the liver and yolk sac of a developing baby during pregnancy. AFP levels go down soon after birth. It is likely that AFP has no normal function in adults.</p><p>A test can be done to measure the amount of AFP in your blood.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How the Test is Performed</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>A blood sample is needed. Most of the time, blood is typically <a test="test" href="./003423.htm">drawn from a vein</a> located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. </p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How to Prepare for the Test</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>You do not need to take any special steps to prepare.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How the Test will Feel</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted. You may also feel some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Why the Test is Performed</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Your health care provider may order this test to:</p><ul><li>Screen for problems in the baby during pregnancy. (The test is done as part of a larger set of blood tests called <a test="test" href="./007311.htm">quadruple screen</a>.)</li><li>Diagnose certain liver disorders.</li><li>Screen for and monitor some cancers.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Normal Results</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>The normal values in males or nonpregnant females is generally less than 40 micrograms/liter.</p><p>The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>What Abnormal Results Mean</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Greater than normal levels of AFP may be due to:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./001289.htm">Cancer</a> in <a test="test" href="./002334.htm">testes</a>, ovaries, biliary (liver secretion) tract, stomach, or pancreas</li><li><a test="test" href="./000255.htm">Cirrhosis of the liver</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000280.htm">Liver cancer</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./001316.htm">Malignant teratoma</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./001154.htm">Recovery from hepatitis</a></li><li>Problems during pregnancy</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Fetal alpha globulin; AFP</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/15160t.jpg" alt="Alpha fetoprotein - series" title="Alpha fetoprotein - series" class="side-img"/><a href="../presentations/100144_1.htm">Alpha fetoprotein - series</a></li>
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</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Driscoll DA, Simpson JL. Genetic screening and diagnosis. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. <em>Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies</em>. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 10.</p><p>Dugoff L, Wapner RJ. Prenatal diagnosis of congenital disorders. In: Lockwood CJ, Copel JA, Dugoff L et al, eds. <em>Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice</em>. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 30.</p><p>Lee E. Neonatology. In: Anderson CC, Kapoor S, Mark TE, eds. The Harriet Lane Handbook. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 18.</p><p>Lee P, Jain S, Pincus MR, et al. Diagnosis and management of cancer using serologic and other body fluid markers. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. <em>Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods</em>. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 76.</p></div></div></section>
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<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 8/23/2023</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
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