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when you get your alpha fetal protein test done?
(April 7, 2010)
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An alpha fetoprotein test is a test normally conducted during pregnancy as it helps to identify the level of alpha fetoprotein present in a woman’s blood when she is pregnant. The test is normally conducted when the woman is in between her 15th and 22nd week of pregnancy. Alpha fetoprotein is produced in the liver of a baby that is unborn. The amount of this substance found in the blood helps the doctor to diagnose if the baby is suffering from any problems that are pertaining to the brain and spine like spina bifida or anencephaly. The chance of such a defect arising is, however, very low and is about 2 in every 1000 cases of pregnancies. It also helps to diagnose certain other chromosomal problems and to know if the baby has a down syndrome. The test, however, is only an indication that your child is posing a risk to get the particular birth defect and further tests maybe required to confirm the same. Alpha fetoprotein is normally found in low levels in pregnant women and is not at all present in healthy women who are not pregnant.
The test, otherwise, is also very beneficial in detecting cancer of the liver, testicles and ovaries and also to check if those suffering from cirrhosis or severe hepatitis B have got liver cancer. However, the drawback is that almost 50 percent of the people who have liver cancer do not have increased levels of alpha fetoprotein which makes the diagnosis difficult. The test also enables to follow up on how well a person is responding to treatment for cancer. There is no preparation to be done before the test and pregnant women will be weighed as the results of the test depend on their weight. Blood is taken out from your vein through a syringe and is tested further on. In case of pregnant women, a high amount of alpha fetoprotein level indicates that the age of the baby has not been recorded properly or the baby is having a neural tube defect and incase of other adults it can indicate cancer or a disease of the liver. On the other hand, a low level in pregnant women implies that the baby is having Down syndrome or the age has not been recorded correctly. Incase of those who are not pregnant, it means that the levels of alpha fetoprotein are present abnormally
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Submitted by M T on April 7, 2010 at 11:22
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