Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), Tumor Marker

A tumor marker associated with liver and germ-cell cancers.

Last reviewedJune 16, 2026

Serum

sample type

~5 mL

blood needed

~7 days

results in app

Any time of day

best timing

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On this page

Why test Reference ranges What you'll learn What affects it How testing works Sources FAQ

In short

Alpha-fetoprotein, or AFP, is a protein produced mainly by the liver and the yolk sac before birth. In adults, only small amounts remain in the blood.

As a tumor marker, AFP is measured to help follow certain liver and germ cell conditions. It also has a separate role in pregnancy screening, which is reported differently.

Cancer Markers (Screening)

Reviewed against DGKL reference practice.

Why test this?

As a tumor marker, AFP is used mainly to monitor people with liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) or certain testicular and ovarian germ cell tumors, alongside imaging and other tests. It is not a general cancer screen for healthy adults.

A mildly raised AFP is often benign and can come from liver inflammation such as hepatitis, or from pregnancy. A high or rising level needs a doctor to interpret it in context.

What is a normal result?

Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.

Adult reference values as used by Aniva. Ranges are guidance and can vary by laboratory and method.

Group	Normal range
Adults	Below 9 µg/L

Sources: ARUP AFP Tumor Marker

Your Aniva report reads your result against these values together with your age, sex and the rest of your panel.

Ranges are guidance and vary by lab and assay, aligned with DGKL practice. Always read your result against your own lab's reference interval.

What insights will this test give you?

A baseline AFP level, most useful when tracked over time.
An early flag that, with your doctor, may prompt a closer look at the liver.
Context your concierge can read alongside liver markers in a personalized action plan.

What can affect this result?

What can skew the result

Pregnancy raises AFP, so the result is interpreted differently then. Liver inflammation such as hepatitis or cirrhosis can also raise it. Results from different assays are not interchangeable, so follow trends on the same method.

Best interpreted with

Often read alongside liver function tests and, in the right setting, beta-hCG for germ cell conditions.

How is this tested?

Sample

Serum

Blood needed

~5 mL

Method

Immunoassay

Best timing

Any time of day

Sources. The evidence behind this

Mayo Clinic Laboratories: Alpha-Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker, Serum

MedlinePlus: AFP Tumor Marker Test

Rustad et al., NORIP reference intervals (Scand J Clin Lab Invest)

Common questions

Which Aniva panels include this marker?

Cancer and Tumor Screening

These tests measure key tumor markers linked to the most common and serious cancers.