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shell
:-)
Member since 6/06 2988 total posts
Name:
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Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
for downs???
Was wondering if this was offered to everyone?
I never knew they could check that from a blood test. I though you needed a sono.
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Posted 7/24/08 7:42 PM  |
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Dani922
Here's to new beginnings
Member since 10/07 7260 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
I assume you mean the AFP test? That's what I had done when I was pregnant with DD. From what I understand they are phasing the blood tests out now & moving towards the nuchal translucency test because the blood tests had high instances of false positives.
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| Posted 7/24/08 7:46 PM |
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shell
:-)
Member since 6/06 2988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by Dani922
I assume you mean the AFP test? That's what I had done when I was pregnant with DD. From what I understand they are phasing the blood tests out now & moving towards the nuchal translucency test because the blood tests had high instances of false positives.
I'm not sure, my doctor never mentioned the name AFP. She just said, blood test.
So, it can come back as a false positive....Wow, that's scary!
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| Posted 7/24/08 7:51 PM |
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TLC1018
I AM A BIG SISTER!!
Member since 8/07 3880 total posts
Name:
Tracy
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
I had the AFP (my doctor called it the sequential screening) blood test at 16w 5d. My results came back normal. It was to test for spina bifida and neural tube defects.
At 12w 5d they did a sono and measured the amount of fluid behind the baby's neck and took blood then too.
Message edited 7/24/2008 8:04:33 PM.
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| Posted 7/24/08 8:03 PM |
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snowflake08
Love my boys!!!
Member since 8/07 5148 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
i am getting it on 8/4 - the AFP test
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| Posted 7/24/08 8:19 PM |
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Jen2999
Baby girls & beagles rock!
Member since 8/06 10356 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
I have mine on Tuesday... They use the AFP test in correlation with the ultrascreen to give you more accurate results as far as I know.
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| Posted 7/24/08 8:21 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
The AFP test alone was originally designed to test for neural tube defects. AFP is a protein that is secreted by the babies liver and is excreted in the mothers blood. High levels of this protein are idicative of a neural tube defect amongst a few other things. It was then discovered that low levels were indicative of chromosomal anomalies such as Down Syndrome. Because the test was NOT developed specifically to screen for chromosomal anolmalies it had a high false positive rate.
The triple screen tests for AFP as well as beta-hCG and unconjugated estriol. This test is more adapted for finding babies with chromosomal anomalies such as Down Syndrome but is still more accurate in finding babies with neural tube defects...
The Quad screen test adds the hormone inhibin A and the Penta test adds Invasive Trophoblast Antigen.
Basically what they are doing is trying to make the screening even more accurate.But the these are only screening tests and there are just too many factors that effect the results.
The good news is that 90% of all positive tests are false positives...
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| Posted 7/24/08 8:48 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
I just had this done 2 weeks ago. It was the Quad screen which tested AFP, inhibinB, conjugated estrogen, and beta hcg.
My AFP came back slightly high, which indicted possible neural tube defects. If it was low, it would lean towards possible downs.
There are a lot of false +s with the AFP test (not so much the Quad screen itself), so my dr retested and my retest came back normal thank god.
I go for the level 2 sono next week which will fully tell us all we pretty much can know other than having an amnio.
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| Posted 7/24/08 10:09 PM |
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by hbugal
The AFP test alone was originally designed to test for neural tube defects. AFP is a protein that is secreted by the babies liver and is excreted in the mothers blood. High levels of this protein are idicative of a neural tube defect amongst a few other things. It was then discovered that low levels were indicative of chromosomal anomalies such as Down Syndrome. Because the test was NOT developed specifically to screen for chromosomal anolmalies it had a high false positive rate.
The triple screen tests for AFP as well as beta-hCG and unconjugated estriol. This test is more adapted for finding babies with chromosomal anomalies such as Down Syndrome but is still more accurate in finding babies with neural tube defects...
The Quad screen test adds the hormone inhibin A and the Penta test adds Invasive Trophoblast Antigen.
Basically what they are doing is trying to make the screening even more accurate.But the these are only screening tests and there are just too many factors that effect the results.
The good news is that 90% of all positive tests are false positives...
This reminds me of when the grownups speak on Charlie Brown. I have no idea what you said but you sound smart. Invasive Trophoblast Antigen is a phrase that is sure to turn on any guy that digs smart chicks. 
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| Posted 7/24/08 10:30 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by hbugal
The AFP test alone was originally designed to test for neural tube defects. AFP is a protein that is secreted by the babies liver and is excreted in the mothers blood. High levels of this protein are idicative of a neural tube defect amongst a few other things. It was then discovered that low levels were indicative of chromosomal anomalies such as Down Syndrome. Because the test was NOT developed specifically to screen for chromosomal anolmalies it had a high false positive rate.
The triple screen tests for AFP as well as beta-hCG and unconjugated estriol. This test is more adapted for finding babies with chromosomal anomalies such as Down Syndrome but is still more accurate in finding babies with neural tube defects...
The Quad screen test adds the hormone inhibin A and the Penta test adds Invasive Trophoblast Antigen.
Basically what they are doing is trying to make the screening even more accurate.But the these are only screening tests and there are just too many factors that effect the results.
The good news is that 90% of all positive tests are false positives...
This reminds me of when the grownups speak on Charlie Brown. I have no idea what you said but you sound smart. Invasive Trophoblast Antigen is a phrase that is sure to turn on any guy that digs smart chicks.
Do I know my prenatal testing or do I know my prenatal testing.....
As long as we're talking Down Syndrome I can play with the big boys....it's my thing...everyone has a thing...
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| Posted 7/24/08 11:28 PM |
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mommy-of-2-angels
It's all about Sophia
Member since 9/07 1731 total posts
Name:
Laurie
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
yea around 12 weeks and then there is another blood test a few weeks later it is an alternative to amnio.
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| Posted 7/25/08 5:05 AM |
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GreenGirl05
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/06 834 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Yes..I did the sequential genetics test. They did a blood test and sono during my 12th week....and then a blood test during my 16th week to look for any further issues.....all is good though! Thank goodness!!
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| Posted 7/25/08 10:15 AM |
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hmm8191
My loves
Member since 3/06 2908 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Yes, my doctor gave me the triple screen (@18 weeks) and when our results came back abnormal I had an amnio.
Edited to say the amnio results were normal!
BTW: I had the unltrascreen at 12 weeks and those results were "perfect"
Message edited 7/25/2008 10:56:44 AM.
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| Posted 7/25/08 10:16 AM |
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Dec2008Baby
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 186 total posts
Name:
Juls
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
I did both, sono and blood test.
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| Posted 7/25/08 10:42 AM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
I had a blood test at 16.5 weeks (1 vial). I'm not sure whether it was solely the AFP test or the triple/quad screen (is there a difference?).
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| Posted 7/25/08 10:56 AM |
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shell
:-)
Member since 6/06 2988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by MrsS2005
I had a blood test at 16.5 weeks (1 vial). I'm not sure whether it was solely the AFP test or the triple/quad screen (is there a difference?).
Good question!!!
I had 1 vial taken too. My doctor never said anything except testing for downs. I hope everything was tested.
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| Posted 7/25/08 2:30 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by MrsS2005
I had a blood test at 16.5 weeks (1 vial). I'm not sure whether it was solely the AFP test or the triple/quad screen (is there a difference?).
Yes, there is a big difference.
AFP alone can test for neural tube defects mostly and possibly downs. Only one item is tested and that's the alpha fetoprotein level.
Quad screen tests 4 hormones that tell about Downs, Trisomys and neural tube defects.
Ask you dr what he tested. I was just as confused too and turns out I had the quad screen.
Message edited 7/25/2008 3:02:37 PM.
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| Posted 7/25/08 3:01 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by Goobster
Posted by MrsS2005
I had a blood test at 16.5 weeks (1 vial). I'm not sure whether it was solely the AFP test or the triple/quad screen (is there a difference?).
Yes, there is a big difference.
AFP alone can test for neural tube defects mostly and possibly downs. Only one item is tested and that's the alpha fetoprotein level.
Quad screen tests 4 hormones that tell about Downs, Trisomys and neural tube defects.
Ask you dr what he tested. I was just as confused too and turns out I had the quad screen.
Thanks for the explanation. At my ultrascreen appointment, the doctor mentioned something about being sent for blood work after my next appointment and that I'd be far enough along to test for spina bifida, etc. I think I had the quad screen done, but I'm not sure.
I haven't heard from my doctor since I had the blood work. I assume I'll go over it with her at my next appointment in a few weeks.
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| Posted 7/25/08 4:05 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by MrsS2005
Thanks for the explanation. At my ultrascreen appointment, the doctor mentioned something about being sent for blood work after my next appointment and that I'd be far enough along to test for spina bifida, etc. I think I had the quad screen done, but I'm not sure.
I haven't heard from my doctor since I had the blood work. I assume I'll go over it with her at my next appointment in a few weeks.
No problem.
I may be a bit uptight about these things, but I would call if I were you to get my results. Unless they told you they don't call if all is normal..then I would want to hear it for myself. But if you feel comfy with no call, just making a suggestion b/c I have had abnormal results and still no call is some instances b/c it was somehow overlooked. JMO though.
Message edited 7/25/2008 4:10:57 PM.
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| Posted 7/25/08 4:09 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by Goobster
Posted by MrsS2005
Thanks for the explanation. At my ultrascreen appointment, the doctor mentioned something about being sent for blood work after my next appointment and that I'd be far enough along to test for spina bifida, etc. I think I had the quad screen done, but I'm not sure.
I haven't heard from my doctor since I had the blood work. I assume I'll go over it with her at my next appointment in a few weeks.
No problem.
I may be a bit uptight about these things, but I would call if I were you to get my results. Unless they told you they don't call if all is normal..then I would want to hear it for myself. But if you feel comfy with no call, just making a suggestion b/c I have had abnormal results and still no call is some instances b/c it was somehow overlooked. JMO though.
My doctor never calls when I have a normal pap smear, blood work, etc. I don't mind waiting until my next appointment.
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| Posted 7/25/08 4:34 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Did anyone get a blood test in the 2nd trimester....
Posted by MrsS2005
My doctor never calls when I have a normal pap smear, blood work, etc. I don't mind waiting until my next appointment.
Oh ok. That makes sense. I am with a new dr/OB and don't know what they normally do, so I always want to hear results since i don't know how th ey work in regards to calls.
Message edited 7/25/2008 6:12:22 PM.
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| Posted 7/25/08 6:11 PM |
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