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(AFP) test?
An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a blood test that measures the amount of
AFP present in blood. It’s usually part of what’s called a triple screen or quad
screen in the second trimester of pregnancy. However, it can also be useful for
adults who aren’t pregnant.
The yolk sac, GI tract, and liver of an unborn baby produce AFP. It then
circulates through the fetal and maternal blood. Individuals who aren’t
pregnant still have some AFP in their blood, but levels are normally low. High
levels of AFP in adults who aren’t pregnant usually indicate certain types of
liver disease.
AFP testing is usually part of a quad screen. This screening exam also tests
your levels of:
The AFP test is especially important for women who are at high risk of having
children with birth defects, including women:
If you aren’t pregnant, an AFP test can help to diagnose and monitor certain
liver conditions, such as liver cancer, cirrhosis, and hepatitis. It can also help
detect several other cancers, including cancers of the:
testes
ovaries
biliary tract
stomach
pancreas