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luvsun27
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Member since 5/05 8135 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Quad test?
Ok...I went to the doctor last night for my monthly check-up. I am 14w4d. He asked me if I wanted to take the quad test? Is this the real name of the test? I believe it's a blood test and the one with a high false positive rate.
He suggessted that I do not take it...not necessary because my NT screen came back fine. If I were to take it and it came back positive, I would have to go for the amnio.
Your thoughts? Thanks much.
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Posted 4/25/06 9:15 AM  |
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BrunetteMom
LIF Adult
Member since 8/05 1480 total posts
Name:
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Re: Quad test?
I would take it. I took all the tests that were offered to me. You can never be too sure of anything.
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| Posted 4/25/06 9:17 AM |
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anon
where's winter?
Member since 11/05 2209 total posts
Name:
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Re: Quad test?
this is what i understand the "quad" to be (i hope someone here can validate this)
ultrascreen = neck folds ultrasound + finger prick blood test
tripple screen = ultrascreen + AFP blood test
quad test = ultrascreen + AFP + level II ultrasound
i could be wrong, but this is what i believe them to be given what i have pieced together.
this article doesn't match what i say above, so who knows... 
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| Posted 4/25/06 9:24 AM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Quad test?
I think it is a personal choice. I am not going to get the AFP test. My friend took it and got a false positive. She did not want the Amnio because of the risks associated with the test. She basically went 7 months of her pregnancy thinking that her bayb "might" have DS. He turned out to be fine.
I just think there are way too many false positives. I also am not going to get an amnio.
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| Posted 4/25/06 9:44 AM |
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FeliciaDP
♥
Member since 5/05 18599 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Quad test?
You know what Kim, I'm glad you posted this because I swear I am so confused by all these screenings!
I think every doctor has their own 'terminology' for all these tests, and it drives me crazy when I try to look them up because it never makes any sense to me!
I think so far I've had the same things as you have had: the NT (neck folds) ultrascreen and finger prick blood test , at 12 wks. All my results came back on that perfect as well.
At my last monthly visit (I was 13 wks), the nurse told me that I would have the option to have the AFP blood work done at my next appointment , when I was around 16-17 wks. Then I got the script to make my appointment for the Level II at the hospital between 18-20 weeks. She did also warn me of the high false positive rate on the AFP but said that if it did come back positive, they woudln't automatically jump me to amnio - they would do the Level II and check for "markers" and would base the results on those two things and go from there..
Needless to say, even though I am over 35, I am very very hesitant to have an amnio done in any event (due to my M/C history) soo I am leaning towards NOT having the AFP bloodwork done and just going for my Level II in a few weeks.. I have heard the screening we had done at 12 wks is more accurate anyhow, and since that all came back well I really do not want the stress of a false positive at this point
Gosh sorry so long! Good luck whatever you decide!!
Message edited 4/25/2006 10:19:13 AM.
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| Posted 4/25/06 10:18 AM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Quad test?
Posted by FeliciaDP
You know what Kim, I'm glad you posted this because I swear I am so confused by all these screenings!
I think every doctor has their own 'terminology' for all these tests, and it drives me crazy when I try to look them up because it never makes any sense to me!
I think so far I've had the same things as you have had: the NT (neck folds) ultrascreen and finger prick blood test , at 12 wks. All my results came back on that perfect as well.
At my last monthly visit (I was 13 wks), the nurse told me that I would have the option to have the AFP blood work done at my next appointment , when I was around 16-17 wks. Then I got the script to make my appointment for the Level II at the hospital between 18-20 weeks. She did also warn me of the high false positive rate on the AFP but said that if it did come back positive, they woudln't automatically jump me to amnio - they would do the Level II and check for "markers" and would base the results on those two things and go from there..
Needless to say, even though I am over 35, I am very very hesitant to have an amnio done in any event (due to my M/C history) soo I am leaning towards NOT having the AFP bloodwork done and just going for my Level II in a few weeks.. I have heard the screening we had done at 12 wks is more accurate anyhow, and since that all came back well I really do not want the stress of a false positive at this point
Gosh sorry so long! Good luck whatever you decide!!
I am sooo confused! I thought the AFP WAS the finger prick test.
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| Posted 4/25/06 10:25 AM |
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FeliciaDP
♥
Member since 5/05 18599 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Quad test?
Posted by pmpkn087
I am sooo confused! I thought the AFP WAS the finger prick test.
Oh no, now I confused things even more SORRY!!!!!!!!!
I am 15 wks. So far at 12 wks I had the nuchal translucency (NT) Ultrascreen and a finger prick blood test the same day - it can usually be done between like 11-13 wks I think.
Then I was told the AFP blood test is done around 16 weeks (approx) and I *could* be wrong, but I think they take a vial of blood, not just a finger prick?
Here is a link:
AFP Screening
"How and when is the AFP test done?
It's usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, with 16 to 18 weeks (when the hormone levels are most consistent) being the optimum time. You'll have a blood sample taken and sent to a lab for analysis. The lab analyzes the levels of AFP, hCG, and uE3 (and sometimes inhibin A) in your blood and determines whether they fall within a "normal" range for this stage of your pregnancy, based on your age, weight, race, and other factors (such as having diabetes). Having too much or too little of these substances in your blood is considered a positive, or abnormal, result. Results are generally available in one to two weeks."
Message edited 4/25/2006 10:30:34 AM.
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| Posted 4/25/06 10:30 AM |
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luvsun27
Check out my cool glasses
Member since 5/05 8135 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Quad test?
Felicia....it looks like we are on the same page and the same schedule. I got my script for the level II also and I was told to make my appointment for the end of May which would be right around 19 weeks for me.
I don't think I'm going to take the AFP test....I was talking to my mom and she said they didn't have any of these test back when we were born, but I would go with what the doctor said. I feel comfortable with him that he's pointing me in the right direction as he has been through this thousands of time, but this is my first. So...my next thing to do is the level II and I will be able to find out if it's a  or  
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| Posted 4/25/06 11:39 AM |
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lisak1009
LIF Zygote
Member since 4/06 9 total posts
Name:
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Re: Quad test?
I am confused too!! I just got home from having the AFP test done. My doctor didn't give me a choice (At least not that I am aware of). They just told me that I had to have it done within the next 2 weeks (Last week at my check up).
But, I also did NOT have an NT test, and I have never had my finger pricked for blood. I only gave blood once when I first had my pregnancy confirmed at about 5-6 weeks.
So, the test I had today, I THINK was a triple screen?
~Lisa
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| Posted 4/25/06 11:48 AM |
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