Too far gone to use scan for downs test

[Coleminer]

Hi I went for my first scan this week and found out I'm further on than we thought (14+2) so they could use the scan as part of the downs test. I have a blood test next week which should tell me whether I'm high risk bug wondered how reliable these tests are without using the scan. Am 35 so know the risk is a little higher anyway.

[Coleminer]

Sorry I meant they "couldn't" use the scan

[AGreenie]

Hi! The scan thing wasn't available routinely when I had dc 1&2 so didn't have it and then for dc3 I was too late, but decided not to have any of the downs tests for any of them.
I'm no expert, but I think the only 100% test is the amnio or cv test, but the other tests only give you a risk factor which obviously is no guarantee either way.....

Good luck!

[SneezySnatcher]

The blood test can give you a 'risk' factor but not a definite answer. The scan can make the result more accurate but not definitive.

I chose not to have any of the tests as I would not have the CVS/amino so it seemed pointless. In addition to this, a friend whose lovely son has Downs syndrome was given a very 'low' risk from the test, so even with a risk of 1:20000, they cannot say that you aren't that one person.

[ThreeWheelsGood]

I was a couple of days too far gone at my dating scan too. They took bloods and did what they called a quadruple test, midwives didn't seem worried. Got the results within a few days (by post but they said they'd phone if out showed high risk).

[Barbeasty]

It depends which blood test they are doing, but there is one of them (which may be the quadruple test, I can't remember) which is as accurate as the test which combines the scan with a blood test.

NICE set out minimum accuracy levels for % of correct positive diagnosis and incorrect negative diagnosis.

If you're worried you could search out their report, or news reports from around 2009/ 2010 when a league table of each trust's accuracy levels was produced.

[EdMcDunnough]

I had this happen too. I had the quad test which came back within a week or so, had to ring midwife to get results as they don't call unless it's high risk.

I'm sorry, I don't know how reliable they are though. They measure different hormone levels in your blood, eg with Downs sundrome, HCG is high and AFP is low.

Mine came back at 1:350 which is borderline in some areas and low in ours (high is 150 here) so no further testing was offered. I'm 38 btw.

[kidcrayola]

I'm booked in for the blood test next week as well as after two attempts of scanning me, Bean wasn't in a position either time where they could do the measurements.

[Coleminer]

Thanks all x