The normal range of alpha-fetoprotein is expressed in ng/ml:
Adults: 0.6 - 8.5 ng/ml
Each laboratory must establish its own normal range for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in a blood test. These ranges depend on the makeup of the local population, the technologies used and the accuracy of the measurement. There may be also slight differences in the normal levels according to age, gender, race or ethnic origin, geographic region, diet, type of sample and other relevant status.
Your doctor will study the results along with your medical record, screenings, physical condition, symptoms and any other relevant information about your situation.
During pregnancy, AFP blood concentrations can reach a peak level of up to 10 mg/ml (10,000 times more than normal) at 12 weeks of gestation. This peak level gradually decreases to less than 25 ng/mL after 1 year of postpartum and finally it is reduced to a normal range (less than 10 ng/mL).
Alpha-Fetoprotein, α-Fetoprotein or AFP is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 70 kDA.
Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is present at pregnancy during the fetal development and it is produced by the hepatocytes and the yolk sac. It gradually decreases after the partum. To a lesser extent, AFP is also produced by the gastrointestinal tract and the kidneys.
Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is the main protein present in fetal serum.
The alpha-fetoprotein AFP blood test is usually performed for two main purposes:
When it is used as a tumor marker AFP has a low clinical sensitivity and specificity. It means that it should not be used to diagnose liver or testicular cancer because AFP levels may be also elevated in a number of benign diseases, including ataxia–telangiectasia or non-malignant liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
AFP can also be used to monitor the treatment of a liver or testicular cancer. If the values gradually decrease, it is a sign that the treatment is being effective.
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The following values are considered to be normal values:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in ng/ml. They are an example of a healthy adult of about 40 years old with no known disease, not taking any medication and not pregnant if you are a woman. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
Alpha-fetoprotein AFP | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normality | |||||||
| 0.6 ng/ml | 0.7 ng/ml | 0.8 ng/ml | 0.9 ng/ml | 1 ng/ml | 1.1 ng/ml | 1.2 ng/ml | 1.3 ng/ml |
| 1.4 ng/ml | 1.5 ng/ml | 1.6 ng/ml | 1.7 ng/ml | 1.8 ng/ml | 1.9 ng/ml | 2 ng/ml | 2.1 ng/ml |
| 2.2 ng/ml | 2.3 ng/ml | 2.4 ng/ml | 2.5 ng/ml | 2.6 ng/ml | 2.7 ng/ml | 2.8 ng/ml | 2.9 ng/ml |
| 3 ng/ml | 3.1 ng/ml | 3.2 ng/ml | 3.3 ng/ml | 3.4 ng/ml | 3.5 ng/ml | 3.6 ng/ml | 3.7 ng/ml |
| 3.8 ng/ml | 3.9 ng/ml | 4 ng/ml | 4.1 ng/ml | 4.2 ng/ml | 4.3 ng/ml | 4.4 ng/ml | 4.5 ng/ml |
| 4.6 ng/ml | 4.7 ng/ml | 4.8 ng/ml | 4.9 ng/ml | 5 ng/ml | 5.1 ng/ml | 5.2 ng/ml | 5.3 ng/ml |
| 5.4 ng/ml | 5.5 ng/ml | 5.6 ng/ml | 5.7 ng/ml | 5.8 ng/ml | 5.9 ng/ml | 6 ng/ml | 6.1 ng/ml |
| 6.2 ng/ml | 6.3 ng/ml | 6.4 ng/ml | 6.5 ng/ml | 6.6 ng/ml | 6.7 ng/ml | 6.8 ng/ml | 6.9 ng/ml |
| 7 ng/ml | 7.1 ng/ml | 7.2 ng/ml | 7.3 ng/ml | 7.4 ng/ml | 7.5 ng/ml | 7.6 ng/ml | 7.7 ng/ml |
| 7.8 ng/ml | 7.9 ng/ml | 8 ng/ml | 8.1 ng/ml | 8.2 ng/ml | 8.3 ng/ml | 8.4 ng/ml | 8.5 ng/ml |
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