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Hello Essex! Chelmsford clinic is now open and joins our nationwide network.
Hello Essex! Chelmsford clinic is now open and joins our nationwide network.
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WHOOSH! Did you know, 99.2% of all samples are tested within 4 hours of arrival at our laboratory?

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test

 


ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN (AFP) BLOOD TEST

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£85.00 - £85.00
£85.00
£85.00 - £85.00
£85.00

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is made by liver cells and can be used as a screen to test for liver problems.

  • Biomarkers: 1
  • Estimated turnaround: 6 days

Simple and accurate blood test from a laboratory you can speak to.

STEP 1 - CHOOSE YOUR SAMPLE COLLECTION OPTION

CLINIC APPOINTMENT - SAME OR NEXT WORKING DAY

This service costs additional £29.00 and includes:

  • No waiting. Book your appointment online during checkout. 
  • Quick blood collection from your vein, by our registered nurses.
  • Blood transported directly to our laboratory - for quick and accurate results.
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About the test 

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is made by liver cells when they are growing and dividing. Unborn babies have high levels of AFP as their liver is developing but levels fall to very low in adulthood. In adults, AFP tends to be used as a screen for liver problems, in particular liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), or to monitor response to treatment for these conditions.

Like most tests, it is not perfect, levels of AFP may be raised in non-cancerous conditions and levels may be normal even if there is a problem. The results of the blood test should be interpreted in conjunction with your symptoms and, even if the test is normal, you should see your doctor with any unexplained abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.

AFP levels are naturally higher in pregnancy, so you should not take this test when you are pregnant unless you are advised to do so by your doctor.

1 Biomarker

  1. BIOMARKER

    - Alpha-Fetoprotein

  1. TURNAROUND TIME

    We are extremely fast, with some results available within hours and others within a working day or less, from the time your sample is in our lab. However, this is not a guarantee and should not be taken as such. This is the guideline turnaround time that can be shorter or longer.


    THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEED TURNAROUND TIME.


    We are extremely proud of our very short turnaround times and a very efficient laboratory processes, you will start receiving results as soon as they are available and have completed clinical validation.


    Whilst we accommodate the shortest of time scales, with some results available within hours, for this particular test the usual turnaround time is: 6 working days.

DOCTOR'S COMMENTS

Hi, I am Dr. Adam Staten and here's my view on this test as a GP and Clinical Director at One Day Tests.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is mainly produced by a developing baby’s liver and certain other tissues during pregnancy.

In adults, AFP levels are usually very low, but they can increase due to certain health conditions, such as liver cancer or specific types of tumors.

This makes AFP a useful marker for doctors when checking for these cancers or monitoring how well treatment is working.

During pregnancy, measuring AFP can also help screen for certain birth defects.

Red flag symptoms for the Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test

Please contact your GP if you are experiencing any symptoms.

Your Results and Health Dashboard

The results of your Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test will be emailed to you as a secured PDF file, ready for your GP and will also be uploaded to our Health Dashboard area of the website. It’s a unique and powerful tool, powered by our in-house clinical analysis research, to match your biomarkers across test panels and symptoms, as well as provide clinical commentary on all individual biomarkers you tested for.

The health dashboard will also provide "panel level" commentary - a birds eye view of the biomarkers that were tested. This feature allows you to view your test results and clinical commentary, and compare them to previous results, giving you a clear understanding of how your health is progressing.

By using the Health Dashboard, you can identify changes in your biomarkers and make necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. This added value is immense, as it empowers you to monitor your health and make informed decisions about your well-being.

It's free and is available with all of our tests.

Save on continuous monitoring with our subscription plan

The best way to look after your health is to do so regularly. This is easy to do with our continual monitoring plans which give you a discount on future blood tests. You choose the frequency and we'll do the rest.

When you purchase a subscription, we will deliver your home test kits or allow you to book appointments in line with your chosen frequency. You will be able to track your biomarkers over time in our powerful Health Dashboard, where results will be automatically updated for you. There is a minimum of 3 tests with any subscription, after which you can pause/restart/cancel at any time.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Hi, I am Stefania Brown, I am the Laboratory Manager at One Day Tests and here are the lab's special requests for the Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test.

  1. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING THE ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN (AFP) BLOOD TEST.

    There are no special instructions for this blood test.


Venepuncture appointment - how to prepare

If you are coming into one of our clinics for the test, this is what you need to do before you arrive:

  • Drink plenty of water about an hour before the appointment.
  • Avoid coffee/tea/energy drinks. Water is good!
  • That’s it! We’ll do the rest.

Home test kit for Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test - how it works

Our blood test kits are simple and convenient.

The most important step in doing a blood test at home is to read the instructions very carefully. The process is very simple, but there are a few pitfalls you need to be aware of - you will save yourself a lot of time if you do it right the first time around!

  • Full printed instructions will arrive with your kit - please read them carefully.
  • Drink plenty before taking the sample and warm your hands up in the sink with warm water for a few minutes. This will make your blood flow much better.
  • Fill the tubes to the top line. We don’t need much blood; filling tubes to the top line is about 15 drops of blood.
  • Post the samples on the same day you take them, before midday, Monday to Thursday. If you post it any other time it might get to us late or be stuck at a sorting office over the weekend. You will then have to do it again.
  • Package the sample in the same box the kit came in. Otherwise, Royal Mail or DPD will reject it. The sample tubes go into a pouch, then into a cardboard box, and then into a return envelope. All of this is provided in the kit: please use it.

We look forward to receiving your sample in our lab!

How the finger prick home blood test kit for Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test works - from Dr. Adam Staten

Follow our step by step instructions on how to take your sample quickly and easily using the blood sample collection finger prick test.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Hello! My name is Dr. Vinesh Mistry, I am part of the GP team here at One Day Tests and here is why you should trust us to test your blood.

  1. QUICK AND ACCURATE RESULTS, DIRECT FROM A LABORATORY.

    We run our own regulated laboratories and our own accredited clinics. We manufacture our own approved home sample collection kits. Your results are looked after by our fantastic clinical governance team and our super-talented biomedical science team.


    When you book your test with us - you book directly with the lab. This means accuracy and responsible duty of care, direct access to the provider and extremely fast turnaround times.


    Finally, our customer services rock! You can ask the lab a question any time or you can speak to a real human. You can email us on hello@onedaytests.com or give us a call on 0127 309 2844.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hi, I am Lana Nela, Lead Nurse, and here is what we are frequently asked about this test.

What can an elevated AFP level indicate?

Elevated AFP levels can indicate a range of conditions, depending on the context.

During pregnancy, high AFP levels may suggest certain birth defects, like neural tube defects, in the developing baby.

In non-pregnant adults, elevated AFP levels can be a sign of liver cancer, testicular cancer, or ovarian cancer.

However, elevated AFP levels don’t always indicate cancer, so do contact your GP for interpretation.

Can medications or other conditions affect AFP levels?

Yes, certain medications, liver diseases, and other conditions can influence AFP levels. For example, chronic liver conditions like cirrhosis or hepatitis can cause elevated AFP levels, even in the absence of cancer.

It’s important to inform the laboratory and your GP about any medications you are taking or any underlying health conditions you have, as these factors may affect your test results and how they are interpreted.

WHY TAKE THE TEST?

Hi, I am Nader Eldarf, I am a Biomedical Scientist in our laboratory and here is why it's important to take this test.

  1. WHY TAKE THE ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN (AFP) BLOOD TEST?

    The AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) test is important because it plays a crucial role in both prenatal care and the diagnosis of certain cancers.

    During pregnancy, the AFP test is a key component of screening for fetal abnormalities. It helps in assessing the risk of birth defects such as neural tube defects (like spina bifida) and chromosomal conditions (such as Down syndrome). Early detection of these conditions allows for better planning and management of the pregnancy, including making informed decisions about further testing and potential treatments.

    If pregnancy is not applicable to you, then the AFP test is important for detecting and monitoring certain cancers, particularly liver, ovarian or testicular cancer.

    Elevated AFP levels can be a marker for these cancers, helping in early diagnosis when treatment is often more effective.

    Finally, for patients already diagnosed with these cancers, the AFP test is used to monitor treatment response and detect potential recurrences.

IS THIS TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

Hi, I am Sandeep Patel, I am the Laboratory Director at One Day Tests. Here are the symptoms that you may wish to address with this test.

  1. IS THE ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN (AFP) BLOOD TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

    The AFP test is primarily used in two contexts: during pregnancy and in assessing certain types of cancer. If you are pregnant, the AFP test may be ordered as part of a broader screening to check for potential birth defects, such as neural tube defects or chromosomal abnormalities, in the developing baby. It is usually performed between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy.

    If you are not pregnant, your doctor might recommend an AFP test if there is a concern about liver cancer, testicular cancer, or ovarian cancer, as elevated AFP levels can sometimes indicate these conditions.

  1. SYMPTOMS AND TAGS

    Cancer worry and Pregnancy

WHY ARE BLOOD TESTS IMPORTANT?

Health monitoring is very important, you are in charge of your health - look after it.