AFP tumor marker - decoding, normal and what alphafetoprotein shows. What is an AFP test during pregnancy? AFP hCG blood test transcript
In order to monitor the correct development of the fetus and timely identify various anomalies in its development, a woman is offered to donate blood from a vein for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This analysis is also called a triple test, because the level of free estriol is also taken into account. The most informative result will be the result of the analysis taken between 14 and 20 weeks.
In order for the AFP and hCG screening result to be as accurate as possible, it is necessary to follow some simple rules, namely, donate blood on an empty stomach or 4-5 hours after the last meal. It is best if blood is drawn in the morning.
AFP and hCG norm
To find out what the norm of a particular test is at different stages of pregnancy, you need to refer to a special table. But do not panic if any one of the results does not meet the established standard, because the calculation takes into account the totality of several indicators, and not just one of them.
Be that as it may, you should not make a frightening diagnosis on your own, but you should contact a knowledgeable specialist for advice. Some laboratories calculate results in MoM units. Here the norm ranges from 0.5 MoM to 2.5 MoM.
Blood in the human body is the most informative material, and therefore is considered a medium that can quickly and sensitively respond to the onset of pregnancy. Therefore, it is not surprising that today all expectant mothers have to undergo a seemingly endless number of blood tests in order not only to monitor the woman’s condition, identify any inflammations and diseases, but also to monitor the development of the fetus, as well as possible disorders in its formation. organs and systems.
As a rule, at 16-18 weeks of pregnancy it is necessary to undergo a “triple test” - a procedure, the essence of which is to donate blood to determine the level of hCG and AFP. These indicators, as well as the level of free extriol, make it possible to determine the risk of developing certain groups of heart defects, Down syndrome and other pathologies in the unborn child.
What are hCG and AFP?
Let's figure out what hCG and AFP are during pregnancy and what the risk of an increase or decrease in these basic indicators is for the unborn baby and his mother. So, hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin is a placental protein that enters a woman’s body from 4-5 days after pregnancy. By the way, all home pregnancy tests react precisely to this very level of hCG in the blood and urine of the expectant mother. The amount of hCG hormone in the blood of a pregnant woman can vary depending on the timing of pregnancy and its course.
The second component of this analysis is AFP or alpha-fetoprotein - a protein that is a product of the functioning of the developing fetal liver. The study of this indicator is necessary, first of all, in order to timely determine the risks of improper formation of the child’s neural tube, digestive tract and genitourinary system. Moreover, the AFP indicator is considered informative for the timely detection of such a chromosomal disease as Shershevsky-Turner syndrome in an unborn child, which determines malformations of internal organs, delayed mental development and diseases of the placenta of a pregnant woman.
Many women, having received the results of blood tests for AFP and hCG, panic when they see any changes or deviations from the norm, but you should not rely on these indicators alone, especially since their decrease or increase can be influenced not only by incorrectly installed gestational age, but also a banal mistake in laboratories, each of which, by the way, has its own standards.
HCG and AFP are the main indicators that allow us to assess the risks of developing pathologies of organs and systems in the unborn child
Elevated hCG and AFP during pregnancy
In turn, an increased level of hCG may indicate prolonged pregnancy, incorrect timing of pregnancy, the presence of severe toxicosis in the expectant mother, diabetes mellitus or gestosis. Also, an increase in this indicator is observed when women use hormones necessary for the normal course of pregnancy.
An increased AFP is an indicator of intrauterine death of the fetus, the presence of Rh conflict between it and the mother, and also indicates serious damage to the nervous system of the unborn baby.
Reduced hCG and AFP during pregnancy
For specialists, a decrease in the level of hCG in the blood of a pregnant woman is considered an indicator of the risks of post-term pregnancy, placental insufficiency and the threat of miscarriage. But a low AFP indicates not only the presence of pathologies in the fetus, but also diseases of the expectant mother, for example, diabetes or obesity.
Make your decision wisely!
However, in any case, whatever the result of the analysis for hCG and AFP during pregnancy, the values of these indicators alone are not enough to make any decision. Therefore, to establish the risks of developing pathologies, additional examination and consultations with geneticists are sometimes required.
After taking the test, the result will be ready in two days, but if necessary, in emergency cases, it can be obtained after two hours. Often, in order to have reliable data, in the second trimester of pregnancy the analysis should be carried out in combination with ultrasound, testing for placental hormones and other diagnostic techniques.
Each laboratory uses its own methodology and reagents when analyzing the level of AFP content. But the units of measurement are designated the same in all cases: IU/ml or MoM. For example, if an AFP and hCG analysis is performed during pregnancy, the norm (MoM) is 0.5-2. However, if the laboratory uses other measurements (IU/ml), then the protein level, depending on the stage of pregnancy, will change as follows (see table below).
AFP norm depending on the stage of pregnancy
As mentioned above, in men the norm is no more than 10 IU/ml. The same applies to non-pregnant women.
Decoding
The amount of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood may be higher or lower than normal. This shows that the fetus can have various pathologies.
Different norms of AFP during pregnancy are given in the MoM, which shows a specific value related to a certain period of pregnancy. Normal concentration is 0.6 – 2.4 MoM. If there is a deviation from the norm below or above the limit, then there is a possibility that the baby will not form correctly.
If you had AFP done during pregnancy, the rate is higher at times such as:
- carrying two or more babies;
- death of the baby's liver;
- neural tube defect (enlarged brain);
- umbilical hernia in a child;
- impaired kidney development;
- other fetal growth problems.
If AFP levels are low in a pregnant woman, the gynecologist may suspect problems such as:
- Down syndrome (after the eleventh week of conception);
- trisomy 18 pair of chromosomes;
- embryo death;
- unexpected pregnancy loss.
Also, a low protein concentration indicates an inaccurate determination of the date of conception, i.e., the actual conception occurred later.
In medicine, AFP analysis is considered the most important marker of genetic malfunctions in the chromosome itself and the normal development of the baby when carrying it.
Improper formation of the baby results in an increase in the AFP substance in the blood of a woman in labor, and different shifts in protein levels are most often closely intertwined with pathology in mothers.
This analysis should be done only in combination with an ultrasound, which will help remove from the list most of the defects and problems in the formation of your baby
It is also very important for a woman in labor to test for placental hormones and hCG. All these tests are called the “triple test” and help to approach the problem of identifying various syndromes and abnormalities in embryo development more responsibly
Most often, a woman gets a good response to an AFP test during pregnancy, but things can be different! If you receive a negative result, there is no need to panic. Firstly, the AFP test itself is not indicative and may not immediately indicate chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. Secondly, approximately 6% of all pregnant women do not get very good results, but 91% of them (according to statistics) give birth to healthy babies.
An increased protein level may indicate an incorrectly determined period of conception. After all the tests and ultrasounds have been completed, you may need to consult a geneticist. And after this, it is worth making a decision on immediate treatment of the fetus or on artificially interrupting its development.
According to reviews from pregnant women, most of them are satisfied with the AFP test and its result, because expectant mothers worry about the fitness and health of their babies. The analysis itself is not difficult to perform, and the price is also reasonable.
According to the recommendations of doctors, such an analysis should be carried out during pregnancy to diagnose the development of the unborn child. Since the analysis itself is not completely informative, if the result is negative, you will need to additionally perform an ultrasound and test placental hormones.
As expectant mothers say, many of them are dissuaded by friends and advice from forums on the Internet from carrying out such an analysis, but it is better to follow the recommendations of your gynecologist
The health of children, especially during their formation period, is very important
It is vital to carry out further treatment if the results are poor! Because the world and people need full-fledged, healthy heirs of future progress and life on planet Earth. Nobody wants to take responsibility for the lives of children with various syndromes and inhibition of fetal development. Therefore, carry out all the necessary manipulations in time for the future health of your child and his generation.
Health to you and your children!
Negative test result for AFP protein concentration during pregnancy
International statistics indicate that in 5% of pregnant women, the analysis of AFP content has deviations in one direction or the other from the established norm. However, 90% of these women subsequently safely gave birth to absolutely healthy babies. It should be firmly understood that based only on the results of the analysis of AFP content, it is impossible to establish a final and accurate diagnosis. This analysis is carried out to identify abnormal development of the unborn child. A separate analysis for the concentration of alpha-fetoprotein protein is not able to provide complete and guaranteed accuracy of the results. To obtain the most objective information about the course of pregnancy, this analysis is recommended to be carried out in combination. To get a complete picture, you should undergo tests that determine the level of hCG, the level of free esthiol, as well as ultrasound.
The attending physician will accurately determine the most appropriate time for taking these tests, as well as determine their necessity. Blood is taken to determine the concentration of alpha-fetoprotein in it only from a vein. The procedure must be carried out on an empty stomach, between eating (even a light breakfast) and taking blood for this analysis, the time interval should be more than 4 hours. Therefore, the best time to conduct it is in the morning before breakfast.
In case of an unsatisfactory result, if it shows even minor deviations from the upper or lower norm, the attending physician is obliged to prescribe a repeat blood test. In addition, a pregnant woman must undergo a more detailed and complex ultrasound. To obtain the most accurate and detailed result, you will need to take an amniotic fluid test. Consultation and observation with a geneticist will also not be superfluous in case of unfavorable results of AFP tests.
Based on materials from nedeli-beremennosti.com
Treatment of hypertension during pregnancy
During pregnancy, hypertension is treated. The main treatment method is the use of antihypertensive drugs. The use of a number of them is limited due to adverse effects on the fetus; therefore, currently developed effective antihypertensive treatment regimens cannot always be used in pregnant women. Non-drug therapy (sedative physiotherapy, herbal medicine, nutritional adjustments, limiting the intake of table salt - less than 6 g per day) is of particular importance in pregnant women.
Medications used in pregnant women include diuretics, antispasmodics, calcium ion antagonists, adrenergic receptor stimulants, vasodilators, and ganglion blockers.
Among diuretics, preference should be given to potassium-sparing drugs: triamterene, spironolactone or the thiazide diuretic indapamide, which has a natriuretic effect and promotes peripheral vasodilation without reducing cardiac output and heart rate. Diuretics are used in courses of 1-3 days every 7-10 days.
According to modern concepts, antispasmodics (dibazole, papaverine, no-spa, aminophylline) provide a weak hypotensive effect compared to other newly proposed drugs. However, due to the lack of negative effects of antispasmodics on the fetus, they are indispensable for pregnant women. At the same time, antispasmodics work better when administered parenterally, especially when stopping hypertensive crises.
Currently, calcium ion antagonists of the dihydropyridine series are increasingly used as first-stage drugs. From this group of drugs during pregnancy, it is advisable to use second-generation drugs (Norvax, Lomir, Foridon), which have a highly specific effect, are characterized by a long half-life and a very small number of side effects. The first generation calcium ion antagonist nifedipine is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Adrenergic receptor stimulants (clonidine, methyldopa) are widely used during pregnancy due to their effectiveness and the absence of negative effects on the fetus.
Of the vasodilators during pregnancy, hydralazine (apressin) is most often used for hypertensive crisis or for diastolic pressure above 100-110 mm Hg.
Ganglion blockers (pentamine, benzohexonium) have side effects, affect intestinal function in the fetus and can cause intestinal obstruction in the newborn. These drugs are used only during labor to achieve a rapid, short-term reduction in blood pressure.
Treatment of hypertension in pregnant women follows the same principles as in non-pregnant women. In stage I hypertension, monotherapy is often used; in stage II, combinations of two or three antihypertensive drugs with different mechanisms of action are prescribed. At the same time, measures are taken to normalize microcirculation and prevent placental insufficiency. If gestosis or placental insufficiency develops against the background of hypertension, the entire treatment complex used for these complications of pregnancy is prescribed.
Delivery in women with hypertension is most often carried out through the vaginal birth canal against the background of anesthesia and antihypertensive therapy. Caesarean section is performed for obstetric indications or for conditions that threaten the health and life of the mother (retinal detachment, cerebrovascular accident, etc.).
Ed. G. Savelyeva
“Treatment of hypertension (hypertension) during pregnancy” - article from the Pregnancy section
ENAP - use during pregnancy and lactation
The use of Enap, like other ACE inhibitors, is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy. The use of ACE inhibitors, incl. Enap is contraindicated in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Epidemiological data on the risk of teratogenic effects of ACE inhibitors during pregnancy do not allow us to draw definitive conclusions. However, the possibility of teratogenic effects cannot be excluded. If it is necessary to use ACE inhibitors, the patient must be transferred to therapy with another antihypertensive drug with a proven safety profile for pregnant women.
If pregnancy is confirmed, Enap should be discontinued as soon as possible.
Taking ACE inhibitors in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can cause fetotoxic effects (impaired renal function, oligohydramnios, delayed ossification of the skull bones) and neonatal toxic effects (renal failure, arterial hypotension, hyperkalemia).
If the patient took an ACE inhibitor in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, it is recommended to perform an ultrasound scan of the fetal kidneys and skull bones.
In those rare cases where the use of an ACE inhibitor during pregnancy is considered necessary, periodic ultrasound should be performed to assess the amniotic fluid index. If oligohydramnios is detected during ultrasound, it is necessary to stop taking the drug. Patients and physicians should be aware that oligohydramnios occurs when there is irreversible damage to the fetus. If ACE inhibitors are used during pregnancy and the development of oligohydramnios is observed, then, depending on the stage of pregnancy, a stress test, a non-stress test or a fetal biophysical profile may be required to assess the functional status of the fetus.
Newborns whose mothers took ACE inhibitors during pregnancy should be monitored due to possible hypotension. Enalapril, which crosses the placenta, can be partially removed from the neonatal circulation by peritoneal dialysis, and theoretically it can be removed by exchange transfusion.
Enalapril and enaprilat are detected in breast milk in trace concentrations, therefore, if it is necessary to use the drug Enap during lactation, breastfeeding should be discontinued.
Analysis of AFP during pregnancy and its norms by week
Not every expectant mother knows exactly what tests she undergoes as directed by a doctor while carrying a child. Yes, this is not always required. However, AFP testing is well known among pregnant women. What kind of study this is, what it says and what are the normative values of AFP during pregnancy, we will tell you in this article.
The abbreviation AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein. This protein is formed in the maternal body during the development of the embryo and fetus. Initially, the substance was discovered as a marker of cancerous tumors, and only in the second half of the twentieth century did doctors and scientists notice a pattern - the protein appears in the blood of pregnant women who do not have any malignant tumors.
Alpha-fetoprotein is very similar to another protein, serum albumin.
In adults, it transports various low molecular weight substances into tissues. In a baby that develops in the mother's womb, AFP replaces albumin and performs its functions - it transports substances necessary for growth and development through all tissues with the blood.
All the functions of this amazing protein are not yet known to science. Therefore, in encyclopedias and scientific reference books there is the wording “probable functions”, “possible and hypothetical functions”.
Such probable functions of AFP include an immunosuppressive effect - the protein, through as yet unknown mechanisms, affects a woman’s immunity, suppressing its activity and possible rejection of the fetus, which is only half “native” to her. AFP is also “suspected” of suppressing the fetal immunity. Otherwise, the baby could react negatively to the new compounds and proteins that it receives from the mother's blood.
Early in pregnancy, the protein AFP is produced by the corpus luteum. However, already three weeks after conception, the baby embryo begins to produce the necessary protein compound on its own. The substance enters the amniotic fluid with the baby’s urine, and from there into the mother’s bloodstream to be excreted.
The amount of AFP gradually increases, and from 11-12 weeks it is well determined in the woman’s blood.
By 16-17 weeks, the concentration of the substance rises significantly.
The highest level of AFP in a woman’s blood is observed at 33-34 weeks, after which the amount of embryonic (fetal) protein begins to slowly decrease.
Protein has found wide use in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. It is obtained from placental and abortion blood. During pregnancy, the level of AFP may indicate possible complications and genetic pathologies of the fetus.
The alpha-fetoprotein test is also called the Tatarinov-Abelev test. It is part of the so-called “triple test”, which is prescribed to all pregnant women as part of the second prenatal screening.
The best time for analysis is considered to be 16-17-18 weeks of pregnancy, since during this period the protein is well detected in a woman’s blood and has a reliable diagnostic value.
A fetus that has chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Patau syndrome and others, non-molar trisomy, as well as malformations of the neural tube - the brain and spinal cord) produces certain amounts of this protein.
Based on the level of AFP, one can indirectly judge a possible deviation in the development of the child.
To make the picture more complete, the concentration of fetal protein is compared with the level of hCG (chorionic gonadotropin hormone), as well as the level of free estriol.
Some clinics also determine the level of inhibin, a placental hormone, and then the analysis is called the “quadruple test”. The laboratory picture is complemented by ultrasound, which is mandatory as part of the screening examination.
Blood for analysis is taken from a vein. A woman should come to the laboratory or treatment room on an empty stomach, in the morning, having first stopped taking all hormonal drugs and antibiotics, if any were prescribed to her by the doctor.
A few days before donating blood for analysis, a pregnant woman should avoid eating fatty and sweet foods, large amounts of salt, carbonated drinks, and coffee. If the expectant mother smokes, despite the obvious harm of this habit, she should refrain from smoking for 3-4 hours before donating blood.
A nervous factor can also affect the results of the analysis, so the woman is advised not to be nervous.
The level of fetal AFP protein increases with the duration of pregnancy, this is easy to understand from the table:
Obstetric term
AFP concentration (in U/ml)
Analysis of AFP alpha-fetoprotein during pregnancy is normal in the blood
Alpha fetoprotein (AFP, AFP, α-fetoprotein) is a protein that is produced by the yolk sac and then in the liver and gastrointestinal tract of the embryo. AFP analysis during pregnancy is used to diagnose congenital malformations of the fetus. In most cases, changes in AFP are associated with the presence of obstetric pathology in the mother. In oncology - Alpha-fetoprotein is a marker of primary liver cancer.
During pregnancy, α-fetoprotein penetrates from the fetus into the mother's blood from the sixth week of pregnancy and increases progressively, reaching a maximum at 32–33 weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnant women donate blood for AFP analysis at the beginning of the second trimester at 16-20 weeks (optimally 16-18 weeks) along with hCG analysis to screen for congenital malformations of the fetus.
The most accurate results can be obtained when blood testing is done between the 16th and 18th weeks of pregnancy; research before the 14th or after the 21st week does not provide accurate results.
The protein Alpha-fetoprotein is named from “fetus” (“fruit”) - fetal protein. AFP almost completely disappears from the blood within a year after a person is born. At the age of 1 year, the normal serum AFP level is the same as in adults, that is, less than 15 ng/ml. However, the protein appears in the blood of adults during the development of liver cancer and some tumors of the reproductive system.
In pregnant women, Alpha-fetoprotein is directly related to many processes occurring in a woman’s body. AFP protects the fetus from immune rejection by the mother's body.
The level of Alpha-fetoprotein is interrelated with gestational age, fetal weight, reflecting the degree of intrauterine maturation of the fetus and maturity at birth.
The normal level during pregnancy is considered to be an AFP level of 0.5 to 2.0 MoM. Therefore, if the conclusion states that the AFP level is 0.2, then we are talking about a reduced protein concentration, and if the Alpha-fetoprotein value exceeds 2 MoM, then we are talking about an increased protein level.
In the blood of women pregnant with a fetus with Down syndrome, the average level of AFP in the second trimester is reduced, and the level of hCG is increased. Based on this, a study of the serum of pregnant women for AFP and hCG is used as a method of mass prenatal examination of mothers, with the help of which it is possible to form a high-risk group among women for the presence of central nervous system malformations in the fetus (anencephaly, encephalocele, spina bifida) or Down syndrome.
What if the person is not pregnant?
It was stated above that in healthy adults and non-pregnant women, the content of alpha-fetoprotein in the blood is extremely low. In some cases, if liver disease exists, its concentration may increase. But in significant quantities it is found in liver tumors, in malignant neoplasms of the gonads, and in the diagnosis of metastases of various neoplasms in the liver tissue.
In the case of primary liver cancer not associated with metastases, the diagnostic value and interpretation of an increase in the level of this protein is very great. It is a tumor marker and appears in the peripheral blood much earlier than the first clinical signs of the disease that worry the patient. On average, alpha-fetoprotein in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma rises 2 months before pain, jaundice and other signs occur. This is important for timely diagnosis and treatment, and also gives a better chance of survival. But high levels of alpha-fetoprotein, as a tumor marker in adults, are described in detail in the article Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) - a tumor marker.
How to get tested for hCG
For maximum accuracy and reliability of analysis results, you must follow some rules
The doctor should inform you about the preparation, but it is important to remember that the hCG hormone test during pregnancy must be taken on an empty stomach. It is also recommended to do this in the morning; other times of day are acceptable, provided that nothing has been eaten before for at least 5 hours.
Blood for this test is taken from a vein. The day before donating blood, you should avoid any physical activity, since this is the only way the result will be reliable.
It is equally important to remember that if a woman took a course of hormonal drugs before taking the test, they will certainly affect its results, so there is a need to inform the laboratory employee about this
You should donate blood to test for hCG levels no earlier than two days after your period is missed or on the 12th day after the expected conception. At the same time, the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood can be noted a week after conception, but in this case, the accuracy of the analysis will be low. In order to track the dynamics of hCG growth, it is necessary to donate blood three times, the difference should be at least 2 days and, it is recommended, at the same time. To identify fetal pathologies, tests for human chorionic gonadotropin should be taken from 14 to 18 weeks of pregnancy.
HCG levels during pregnancy are one of the most important indicators, indicating, among other things, the normal course of pregnancy; it also contributes to the diagnosis of a variety of pregnancy disorders, even in the early stages of their development.
One way or another, if the result of the analysis for the content of human chorionic gonadotropin is alarming, do not panic and draw far-reaching conclusions - only a qualified doctor can reliably interpret the indicators, who will explain further actions and, perhaps, recommend taking the test again.
Alternative diagnostic methods
The principle of determining the degree of hCG concentration in the body is also included in the rapid diagnosis of pregnancy, in other words, in home pregnancy tests. The difference in this case will be that there is no need to donate blood, since urine will be diagnosed. Any modern tests are sufficiently sensitive and informative, starting from the first days of a missed period. At the same time, their diagnostic value is certainly somewhat lower than that of the same laboratory blood tests. Also, these methods are carried out for completely different purposes, so they can only complement each other and not replace.
The combination of methods should follow the following tactics: to confirm the presence of pregnancy, diagnosis begins with the use of a conventional rapid test, and then a laboratory one. It is also necessary to donate blood in cases where the test result is positive and there are signs of pregnancy disorders, or there is a suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy. It is possible, but not rational, to start diagnosing pregnancy by donating blood for analysis.
Blood test for progesterone to determine pregnancy
There are cases when, in addition to determining the level of human chorionic gonadotropin, doctors recommend donating blood to test for progesterone content. Progesterone is another pregnancy hormone; by its content, doctors determine how successful its development is.
It is generally accepted among most doctors that a progesterone level in early pregnancy above 25 ng/ml is evidence that the pregnancy is developing within normal limits. If the level of this hormone during pregnancy does not exceed 5 ng/ml, then this significantly reduces the chances of a successful pregnancy. An intermediate value of 5 to 25 ng/ml will require repeated measurement after some time.
Today, the blood of a pregnant woman is the most informative material, capable of providing clear information not only about the state of her health, but also about how the fetus is formed and developed. Moreover, blood tests can detect the presence of infections and diseases in a woman’s body, which plays an important role, as it helps prevent the occurrence of disturbances in the development of organs and systems of the fetus.
At the sixteenth week of pregnancy, it is recommended to undergo the so-called triple test. To do this, you need to donate blood to determine AFP and hCG during pregnancy. , which allow us to identify the risk of developing a heart defect in an unborn child, as well as exclude the presence of Down syndrome, chromosomal abnormalities and other developmental defects. The triple test is done on an empty stomach, it includes a study of the level of ACE, that is, the study of the serum of the developing fetus, and hCG, that is, placental protein.
Let us consider in detail what AFP and hCG are during pregnancy and how their indicators affect the development of the unborn baby.
Alpha fetoprotein (ACE) is a protein produced by the fetal liver. The study of this protein helps to identify defects in the formation of the neural tube, genitourinary system and digestive organs of the embryo, as well as slowing down its development. Using a blood test, the presence of chromosomal defects, Turner or Edwards, abnormalities in the development of internal organs, as well as diseases of the placenta are also determined. However, a change in ACE levels may be the result of a threatened miscarriage, as well as indicate an incorrect gestational age or the presence of a multiple pregnancy. In some cases, low ACE levels indicate fetal death or o In any case, it is necessary to repeat the study, as well as undergo an ultrasound, examination of the umbilical cord and amniotic fluid.
It should be noted that hCG in pregnant women is a hormone that is produced by a woman’s placenta, therefore, depending on the stage of pregnancy, its level may vary. Fluctuations make it possible to judge a multiple pregnancy, the threat of miscarriage and placental insufficiency, and may also indicate the establishment of an incorrect gestational age, the presence of diabetes mellitus in a woman, toxicosis and pathologies in the development of the embryo.
There is a special one during pregnancy, which helps to correctly determine the normal level of the hormone at each stage of pregnancy. However, hCG norms may differ slightly; this depends both on the laboratory that conducted the study and on the age and weight of the woman, her nationality, body characteristics, and the presence of bad habits. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a specialist, because using a blood test it is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis; additional examination is necessary.
Thus, AFP and hCG during pregnancy, the studies of which are included in the triple test, make it possible to identify women who are at risk for the development of abnormalities in the fetus. Here it is necessary to monitor the level of these hormones over time.
It must be remembered that today there are a large number of disadvantages of laboratory research. About 80% are false results, and they are observed when the gestational age is incorrect, deviations in the woman’s weight and age, as well as when she has various diseases of the endocrine system. Making an assessment of AFP and hCG during pregnancy , the doctor takes into account all these nuances and, if necessary, offers to take a repeat test.
Currently, the triple test is widely used to determine the risk group, which includes pregnant women with test values that are far from normal. But don’t be upset right away, because additional examination is required to make a correct diagnosis.
