Transport: 1 mL serum at 2-8°C. Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.
Pediatric Collection/Transport: 0.5 mL serum at 2-8°C.
Remarks: Separate serum from cells ASAP. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.
Unacceptable Conditions: Plasma specimens.
Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 3 months
Reference Interval:
Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
Alpha Fetoprotein Total
0-15 ng/mL
Alpha Fetoprotein L3 Percent
Less than 10.0%
Interpretive Data:
The Wako LiBASys method is used. Results obtained with different assay methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably. The Wako AFP-L3% assay is intended as a risk assessment test for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver diseases. Elevated AFP-L3% values have been shown to be associated with a seven-fold increase in the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma within the next 21 months. Patients with elevated serum AFP-L3% should be more intensely evaluated for evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. The result is not interpretable as a tumor marker in pregnant females.