TRiple test and Nuchal test ????

kimberelli · 06-30-2006, 07:44 PM

Is it true that the triple test will always come back as high risk just becasue our age is higher?
Also, how accurate is the nuchal test?
I never thought I would freak out so much until they tbrought up the age issue.
Kimberly

kloo · 06-30-2006, 10:56 PM

My dr. said it would most likely look bad becuase of my age (37) but it could also give them some other info. As far as the nuchal test ...I agonized for weeks weather or not to get it ..Unfortunatly its not 100% accurate. For me I have to know , so even though I hate the idea of having an amnio I will have one. I opted not to bother with the nuchal & triple screen becuase I knew id have the amnio anyways & didnt want even more stress , since i knew Id be stressed enough over the amnio...which i should be having done in the next 2-3 weeks.
Some people just do the triple & the nuchal ..but only use the information to be prepared for special challenges ...I hold those people in the highest respect..I couldnt do it.

xxoos · 07-01-2006, 09:45 AM

Hello,
I did the nuchal because if it suggested a higher risk I would have done a CVS. My risk went down from 1 in 230 due to age to 1 in 1464. with that low a risk I don't want to risk having a CVS. Good luck!

Tia38 · 07-01-2006, 01:25 PM

interesting question on the b/w+nuchal. i asked about false positives and the genetic counselor said since they are not diagnostic tests (they just give probabilities) that she wasn't sure talking about "accuracy" or "false positives" was appropriate.

For example, if you have a 1% chance of a problem, and you don't have the problem, was it a false positive?

While I get her point, I still wanted to know about false positives (even if that's not the right word), so I'm digging around a bit. I'll let you know if I find anything.

MelissaS · 07-03-2006, 07:08 AM

I've heard that "false positive" rates are very high. Like in the 90% range. Also, sometimes, even if the risk goes up, the ultimate change of having a downs baby is still very low.

I did find that info on the false negatives on the internet, not sure where exactly, so I can't point you to the information.

MelissaS · 07-03-2006, 07:09 AM

Also, my doctor wouldn't do the quad screening on me either because of my age. I'll be 41 when I deliver.

**BC-GoMom** · 07-03-2006, 10:01 AM

Way back when.... hehehe
My Ob didn't do it b/c he said the results would be inaccurate b/c of my age and then they would offer more testing. He said knowing that I was not going to do anything ofther than level II u/s ( they looked at nuchal thickness with my last pg) then why do the bloodwork- so I didn't do it. Had the u/s showed anything suspicious then I would have had an amnio.
JenC

sharond · 07-03-2006, 11:11 AM

Hi, I just went through the genetic counseling a few weeks ago and opted for the first trimester screen (nuchal and bloodwork). I was told that the first trimester screen detects ~80% of downs as "postive", and that this number is higher the older you get (presumably because it is easier get a "positive" screen). I was told a "positive" screen is a risk > 1/100. The first trimester screen can only detect downs and trisomy 18. Unfortunately, my risk for downs is still 1/315, but the trisomy 18 went down to 1/12000. We don't want to risk the amnio, but will have a level II ultrasound in a few weeks. In terms of "false positive", I was told 5% would get a positive screen and not have any problem. But, based on additional research, seems like this number is even higher.

We were also offered an "integrated screen" where they do the first trimester tests and also draw additional blood btw 15-18 wks and then analyze it all together. We were told this detects ~92% of downs, but has an even higher "false positive" rate.

Good luck in whatever you decide. Definitely a personal decision, you are smart to be gathering all the info upfront. We didn't see the genetic counselor until the point where it was almost too late to do the nuchal, so didn't have much time to think about it.

06-30-2006, 07:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
kimberelli 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,504	TRiple test and Nuchal test ???? Is it true that the triple test will always come back as high risk just becasue our age is higher? Also, how accurate is the nuchal test? I never thought I would freak out so much until they tbrought up the age issue. Kimberly __________________ Kimberelli Avery 1/00 Bailey 06/01 Aubrey 06/04 7/06 Kaylee 09/25/08

07-03-2006, 07:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
MelissaS Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 773	I've heard that "false positive" rates are very high. Like in the 90% range. Also, sometimes, even if the risk goes up, the ultimate change of having a downs baby is still very low. I did find that info on the false negatives on the internet, not sure where exactly, so I can't point you to the information. __________________ Melissa:41 DH:37, DD 20. 6/05-IVF/ICSI canceled! 08/05 IVF-26 eggs, 13 matured 9 fertilized, Ectopic. Long recovery, lost right tube. 03/06 IVF 2, 8 celled beauties--BFP 14dpo 66;16dpo 160; 22dpo 1085; 25dpo 2382; 27dpo 4600 gest/yolk sac! 32dpo 15,000\ 122; 39dpo hb 155 Its a Girl!! http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev347pfs__.png EDD 12/14/06

07-03-2006, 07:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
MelissaS Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 773	Also, my doctor wouldn't do the quad screening on me either because of my age. I'll be 41 when I deliver. __________________ Melissa:41 DH:37, DD 20. 6/05-IVF/ICSI canceled! 08/05 IVF-26 eggs, 13 matured 9 fertilized, Ectopic. Long recovery, lost right tube. 03/06 IVF 2, 8 celled beauties--BFP 14dpo 66;16dpo 160; 22dpo 1085; 25dpo 2382; 27dpo 4600 gest/yolk sac! 32dpo 15,000\ 122; 39dpo hb 155 Its a Girl!! http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev347pfs__.png EDD 12/14/06

07-03-2006, 10:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
BC-GoMom BC:Preg+35/Gaming/Webkinz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,917	Way back when.... hehehe My Ob didn't do it b/c he said the results would be inaccurate b/c of my age and then they would offer more testing. He said knowing that I was not going to do anything ofther than level II u/s ( they looked at nuchal thickness with my last pg) then why do the bloodwork- so I didn't do it. Had the u/s showed anything suspicious then I would have had an amnio. JenC __________________ Mom of 6: DS - 10 yrs (IVF) DD - 8.5 yrs (IVF) DD - 7 yrs (Natural Surprise) DD/DS twins b/d 12/9/97 @22.5wks IC/PROM/GBS DS- 18.8 years -died Easter Sunday 2005 multiple disabilities since birth Mommy loves you all!

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06-30-2006, 10:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
kloo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: boston Posts: 247	My dr. said it would most likely look bad becuase of my age (37) but it could also give them some other info. As far as the nuchal test ...I agonized for weeks weather or not to get it ..Unfortunatly its not 100% accurate. For me I have to know , so even though I hate the idea of having an amnio I will have one. I opted not to bother with the nuchal & triple screen becuase I knew id have the amnio anyways & didnt want even more stress , since i knew Id be stressed enough over the amnio...which i should be having done in the next 2-3 weeks. Some people just do the triple & the nuchal ..but only use the information to be prepared for special challenges ...I hold those people in the highest respect..I couldnt do it.

07-01-2006, 09:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
xxoos Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TN Posts: 39	Hello, I did the nuchal because if it suggested a higher risk I would have done a CVS. My risk went down from 1 in 230 due to age to 1 in 1464. with that low a risk I don't want to risk having a CVS. Good luck!

07-01-2006, 01:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tia38 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,466	interesting question on the b/w+nuchal. i asked about false positives and the genetic counselor said since they are not diagnostic tests (they just give probabilities) that she wasn't sure talking about "accuracy" or "false positives" was appropriate. For example, if you have a 1% chance of a problem, and you don't have the problem, was it a false positive? While I get her point, I still wanted to know about false positives (even if that's not the right word), so I'm digging around a bit. I'll let you know if I find anything.

07-03-2006, 11:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
sharond 800-899 post 10 of hearts Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 841	Hi, I just went through the genetic counseling a few weeks ago and opted for the first trimester screen (nuchal and bloodwork). I was told that the first trimester screen detects ~80% of downs as "postive", and that this number is higher the older you get (presumably because it is easier get a "positive" screen). I was told a "positive" screen is a risk > 1/100. The first trimester screen can only detect downs and trisomy 18. Unfortunately, my risk for downs is still 1/315, but the trisomy 18 went down to 1/12000. We don't want to risk the amnio, but will have a level II ultrasound in a few weeks. In terms of "false positive", I was told 5% would get a positive screen and not have any problem. But, based on additional research, seems like this number is even higher. We were also offered an "integrated screen" where they do the first trimester tests and also draw additional blood btw 15-18 wks and then analyze it all together. We were told this detects ~92% of downs, but has an even higher "false positive" rate. Good luck in whatever you decide. Definitely a personal decision, you are smart to be gathering all the info upfront. We didn't see the genetic counselor until the point where it was almost too late to do the nuchal, so didn't have much time to think about it.