afp (alpha feto protein) Test

AFP is short form for Alpha – Fetoprotein, it is a foetal specific glycoprotein produced in the yolk sac, GI tract and liver of a developing foetus. Alpha – Fetoprotein levels are usually high when a child is born and then recedes rapidly.

Too High or too low AFP level in a mother’s blood could be an indication of birth defect or other conditions. Levels of the Alpha - Fetoprotein can be measured to detect certain congenital defects such as spina bifida and Down's syndrome.

An AFP Test is essentially a blood test that determines the alpha – fetoprotein levels in the blood. AFP Test forms a crucial part of pregnancy healthcare and is part of the triple screen or quad screen administered in the second semester of pregnancy or between 14th to 22nd week of the pregnancy.

The AFP test is extremely crucial for women who are at a high risk of having children with birth defects like;

• Women above 35 years of age.
• Women having family history of birth defects
• Diabetic women
• Women who have had harmful medication during pregnancy.

Besides pregnant women, the AFP test can also be administered to any person, men or women, to diagnose and monitor liver conditions like liver cancer, cirrhosis and hepatitis. AFP Test is also crucial in the detection of certain types of cancer like;

• Testes cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Biliary tract cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Pancreas cancer

The Alpha – Fetoprotein normal level are usually below 10ng/ml. People affected with chronic liver disease can have mild or moderate high afp levels but, in any case the afp levels are less than 500ng/ml

Alpha – Fetoprotein test is pretty safe and secure examination and side effects if any, are usually mild and fade off after a day. The common side effects of AFP test include;

• Soreness at the puncture site
• Dizziness
• Excessive bleeding in rare cases
• Infection at the puncture site in rare cases

24 to 36 Hours

The Alpha Feto Protein is generally taken when one is suspected to have liver cancer, testicular cancer, or cancers of the brain, mediastinum, or blood.This test is also used to watch cancer treatment or see if cancer has come back after treatment.

Pregnant women are screened usually between 15 to 17 weeks gestation to help find babies who suffer from neural tube defects or down syndrome.

The Alpha Feto Protein is done when abnormalities are found during pregnancy and other related symptoms or when the abdominal area is found to have lumps or developing lumps. It is also done to identify possible tumors.

Preparatory instructions during specimen collection*:

No Fasting Required.

No other special preparations required.

Specimen type:Serum (Blood Sample)

Specimen collection procedure:Venipuncture - Collection of blood from a vein, usually from the arm.

There is no fixed AFP Test Cost  all across India. The AFP test cost varies from one city to another and different pathological labs can also charge various prices leading to the variance in prices all over India.

However, the average AFP Test cost is found to be average and can be easily afforded by a large section of the population.

For the comfort of people, we have brought high quality at – home healthcare services, under which we also offer a range of pathological tests conducted in the comfort of your home, including AFP Tests, that too at attractive and competitive prices.

As part of our at home lab tests our representative healthcare professional would visit you and collect the necessary sample. Our services not only end at that, we also home deliver the AFP test report to you, so you don’t need to harass yourself and rather do other important things.

Our at home AFP test is extremely beneficial for pregnant ladies, who need to relax and rest rather than stressing over tests and reports. 

So if you need AFP test at home, look no further as you can rely on us to deliver the best of healthcare services. Our team of varied health professionals are fully certified and possess the medical expertise to deal with a vast variety of healthcare needs.