Double Marker Test in First Trimester During Pregnancy

Double Marker Test in First Trimester During Pregnancy

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Important Tests during pregnancy help check the baby's growth and health, as well as the mother's well-being.

Double Marker Test: Are you at the end of your first trimester and entering into second trimester? Then you need to know about this double marker test. Doctors suggest many non-invasive tests to see the growth of the baby in your fetus, and one such test is the Double Marker Test.

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Using this test you may know if there are any chromosomal abnormalities or defects, in the baby that was growing in the fetus. Dont feel tensed, and read out clearly.

Most of us just go and take the test that our health providers prescribe, but knowing about it completely will give you an idea of why they are doing this test and what benefits you will get.

Come, Let us discuss this Pregnancy Double Marker Test completely, like how, when, and why they do these Double Marker Tests along with some benefits, prices, and more.

Double Marker Test in Pregnancy

Double Marker Test which we also call Maternal Serum Screening, is usually tested for the pregnant woman as an initial screening in the first trimester.

And this test will be done to know the signs of any chromosomal abnormalities. Also in this dual marker test, your health providers will estimate the two markers which are HCG and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP - A).

Dual Marker Test in pregnancy will be divided into two categories one is Screen Positive and the other is Screen Negative.

Importance of Double Marker Test In the First Trimester

Importance of Double Marker Test In the First Trimester

Dual Marker Test in pregnancy is used for the early detection of any abnormalities, especially chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus where the baby is growing. Even making this test is crucial to prevent many health problems in the child after birth. And tell you if there if there is any risk for trisomy.

Now, you may feel that what is trisomy? If you need to know about trisomy, need to know about chromosomes first. In pregnancy, a female fetus has 22 pairs of XX chromosomes, and the male fetus has the same pairs of XY chromosomes.

But, sometimes there may be extra chromosomes like we will have two but in this case, we will have three.

This trisomy can cause syndromes like Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Pataus Syndrome. So to detect all these we need to take this Double Test in pregnancy.

Double Marker Test in First Trimester Procedure

Double Marker Test comes under the prenatal screening test which involves blood test along with ultrasound scanning.

Now here we will see the procedure that will be done in this double marker test. Some people will be afraid of tests as they do not know what the test includes, by knowing the information you will have no fear.

As we have already seen this blood test will be done to measure the free HCG and free PAPP - A, the hormones that will be in a pregnant woman's blood.

Let us quickly look into the steps that will be done in this procedure.

  • Firstly, to take the blood sample from you they will use a syringe.
  • And they apply an elastic band to your hand above the elbow so that they can able to see the blood vessels.
  • Then they apply a special antiseptic with cotton and clean the area.
  • Carefully, they insert the needle and take the blood from the arteries, it will just give you some bearable pain.

It typically takes just 5-10 minutes if you cooperate well.

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Double Marker Test in Pregnancy Price - Dual Marker Test Normal Range

When it comes to the price of double marker tests, it completely depends on factors like country, availability, and insurance. But, mostly according to our knowledge, this test will have an average cost of $2500 - $3500.

And once after completion of the test, it will take 3-5 days to collect your report. The normal HCG values in the Double Marker Test are 25700 - 288000 mIU/ml.

Double Marker Test Results in Detail

Double Marker Test Results will help your health provider to know about the low, moderate, and high risks of abnormality. As we have already seen in this test result will be two categories which are Screen Negative and Screen Positive.

Risk  Hormone Concentration
Screen Negative or Low Risk

HCG Levels is 25700 - 288000 mIU/ml.

Levels of PAPP -A is 1 MoM ( Multiples of Median)
Screen Positive or Moderate to High Extreme Variant from Normal

Here, if we get the result Negative in this Marker Test in Pregnancy then we can say that the abnormality of chromosomes is unlike. And if we get a positive result, they need to go for the next step, which is to take the test of Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT).

Benefits of This Double Marker Test For Pregnancy/ Dual Marker Test in Pregnancy

Sometimes when we do not know about the purpose of the pregnancy test, we will take it easy to take that test. Of course, in pregnancy, no one neglects the tests. Even though if there is one like that, knowing the benefits of the test will change their mind.

Look at the different benefits that you get as a parent, are given below.

  • Firstly double marker test is a noninvasive test in which there is no risk for the mother and the unborn child.
  • If you have read all the information we have provided, this test will help to detect chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.
  • It also helps to check the deformities in the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, and other organs.
  • And mainly for mothers by taking this Double Marker Test as they will know everything about their baby they can have some peace of mind.
  • And this is a very cost-effective method to know about the baby.

Double Marker Test vs NT Scan Test - Is Both are the Same?

Double Marker Test vs NT Scan Test - Is Both are the Same

When you see the common thing in this Double Marker Pregnancy Test and NT scan test, both be done at the time of the first trimester. Most women will get confused between these two tests as the double marker test includes Ultrasound.

So as we have already made an Ultrasound, is this NT scan necessary, are these both are same or different? Many questions like these running in your mind, right?

But both these tests are different. The Double Marker Test in first trimester is most efficient in detecting the abnormalities of the baby, but the NT scan is not very effective. NT Scan will help your health provider see the sound waves and the real image of your baby. Both tests will provide you the accurate results.

NT Scan also helps to see the development of the Nasal bone of your baby.

FAQs of the Double Marker Test Pregnancy

1. Does the Double Marker Test in Pregnancy give you 100% accuracy?

To know the abnormalities of the baby, this Double Marker test during Pregnancy will give you upto 80% accuracy.

2. Are there any risks associated with this Double Marker Test?

As this Double Marker Test is an invasive prenatal screening test, there will not be any risks associated with it.

3. What is the Difference Between the Double and Triple Marker Test?

In the Double Marker Test, they test the HCG and PAPP- A, and it will be done between 9-12 weeks of the pregnancy. The Triple Marker Test will be done between 15-20 weeks of pregnancy, and the hormones that are tested in this test are alpha-fetoprotein, HCG, and estriol.

Final Words of Sowmya Hospitals

Hope that the information about this Double Marker Test during Pregnancy is useful, we have provided the above info according to our research. And dont follow it blindly without taking advice from your health care provider.

Reach out to us at Soumya Hospitals.com to know more about other tests that should be done during pregnancy. Knowing the information about the tests will help you to know more about your baby.

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