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Test Code AFP Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital Laboratory- Automated Procedures  304-388-5953       
Beckley Cancer Center Laboratory 304-461-2222

Specimen Requirements

Serum-SST gold top or red top

Allow SST or red top to completely clot

Spin and physically separate serum from contact with cells as soon as possible

4 mL of serum (minimum 2 mL)

Minimum sample volume 25uL for Beckley Cancer Center only

Collection and Processing

A reliable AFP evalution for prenatal testing requires the precise determination of the gestational age.  AFP should be tested between 15-20 weeks of gestation.  AFP should be performed prior to amioncentesis.

Specimen Rejection

  • Improperly labeled, collected, stored, and transported
  • Quantity not sufficient

Additional Rejections at Beckley Only

  • Turbid 
  • Hemolyzed
  • Lipemic

Storage and Stability

Memorial 

Room temperature 15-30oC 8 hrs
Refrigerated 2-8oC 48 hrs
Frozen <-20oC Not specified

 

Beckley

Refrigerated 2-8oC 5 days
Frozen <-20oC 4 weeks

Avoid freeze thaw cycles 

Reference Values

Memorial

0.5 - 8.0 ng/mL

 

Beckley

0-8.0 ng/mL

Methodology

Memorial- Two- site chemiluminescent immunoenzymatic sandwich assay

Beckley- Immunometric immunoassay

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Memorial

Monday through Sunday, Continuously

AM Collection Expected by 9AM same day
Routine Expected within 24 hrs
Stat Expected within 1 hr
Timed Expected results are test dependant

 

Beckley 

Monday through Friday 7:30-4:30pm

CPT Coding

82232

Beckman Coulter IFU

AFP-IFU