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Pregnancy

Harmony test and NHS test giving different results

18 replies

oldmumsomanyquestions · 27/10/2016 08:45

Am in a total dilemma and don't know what to do. Am 43 12+4 and harmony test came back negative with 0.01% risk factor - NHS test has come back with 1:50. So confused any advice really welcomed.

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SheIsUnpretentious · 27/10/2016 08:48

I am a midwife at UCLH.
Go with the Harmony because it assesses fetal DNA in your blood. The NHS Serum test is all based on probability and the variable that that increased your NHS result was just your age.

MrsChrisPratt · 27/10/2016 08:58

The Harmony test is far more accurate than the NHS test- it assesses fetal dna in your blood whereas the NHS looks at your hormone levels, nuchal fold, smoking status, age etc to give you a risk factor. The only way to get a more accurate (definitive) answer is via cvs or amnio and the risk of miscarriage associated with the procedures is a high in some cases as 1:50 which is the risk you've been quoted by the (less accurate) NHS test. In your shoes I'd disregard the NHS result and sleep soundly knowing your risk is very low.

For context, many people will have the NHS test and if identified as high risk go on the pay privately for a harmony for reassurance to avoid cvs or amnio and the associated risks.

eurochick · 27/10/2016 09:31

They are not conflicting results. The NHS result indicates that you have a 1 in 50 chance of a trisomie. The Harmony result indicates that you are almost certain to be in the 49 who are fine rather than the 1 out of 50.

oldmumsomanyquestions · 27/10/2016 09:35

Thank you everyone. I just wasn't expecting the low 1:50 as all the measurements were fine. The blood confuses/concerns me a bit - NHS test says Pap a is 0.75 and free beta hcg is 2.76 and they said they'd want it at 1. I don't even know what they mean.

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Metalhead · 27/10/2016 10:02

I really wouldn't worry about the bloods, sometimes they are just off for no apparent reason. With DD2 my HGC was something like 14 (!) times the norm and she's absolutely fine.

oldmumsomanyquestions · 27/10/2016 13:36

Thanks Metalhead. I guess I just want to know what sort of sats others of my age get, they keep saying it's my age that will have pushed it into high risk but if that's true then all some of my age would get similar results surely, and some get low risk.

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Barefootcontessa84 · 27/10/2016 15:23

I had the harmony at the FMC who also did the combined test at the same time. Harmony said

oldmumsomanyquestions · 27/10/2016 15:42

That's useful Barefoot thank you. I had my test at FMC too and combined risk was 1:561 - the bloods were just a little lower then and she explained that they took more results than NHS would so I would have higher risk rating at NHS - she predicted 1:178 NHS reading which is why 1:50 has knocked me a bit. Have spoken to lots of people today and all saying that harmony is the better test and to hold on to that. It's just horrid that that seed of doubt has got planted, my fault for doing them the wrong way round but wanted to collect info earlier rather than later.

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Metalhead · 27/10/2016 17:48

www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/service-1/antenatal-screening/screening-tests/calculating-the-risk-of-down-s-syndrome

This website is quite good for explaining how the combined test works out your risk. It shows that at 43, your risk based on age alone would be 1:45, so your bloods actually improved your result!

eurochick · 27/10/2016 18:00

I had the harmony with the FMC and didn't even bother with the NHS tests. The harmony is the gold standard so in your shoes I would trust that.

oldmumsomanyquestions · 27/10/2016 18:09

I should have done that eurochick and avoided this confusion. Thanks metalhead I'll have a look and very good advice - the midwife said the same. NHS age actually put me at 1:40 as they take age at which baby will be born which for me is 44 - seems odd as downs would be decided at conception. 1:50 still equates to only a 2% chance so I need to find a positive mind set. Thanks for helping, it really is appreciated.

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oldmumsomanyquestions · 27/10/2016 22:45

Just bumping to see if anyone else has been in this situation. Feeling very down about it.

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lucieloos · 28/10/2016 06:59

This is a dilemma for me too as I'm getting the harmony done tomorrow but don't know whether to also have the NHS tests. Some people have said to have the nuchal but not the bloods. Is that possible? I'm sorry your result is not what you wanted but as others have said I would try to discard the NHS one and go with harmony as its a lot more accurate.

SleepFreeZone · 28/10/2016 07:04

Your Harmony test is the test to listen to. The NHS test is based on probability, the Harmony is based on fact.

You will feel better once you get your 20 week scan under your belt. I am feeding my perfect Harmony tested baby as I type. He is perfect would you believe! 😜

Waves to Metalhead - we were on various TTC after MC threads over the years. So glad we both got our rainbows xx

divadee · 28/10/2016 07:06

I had both tests done and the nhs came out a lot higher than the harmony one.

Put it this way, if you had had then nhs one first and then had the harmony test afterwards to put your mind at ease it would of wouldn't it? If you need to know 100% all you can do is have a cvs or amnio but obviously they have risks of miscarriage approx 1/200 depending on who performs it.

Your chance of having a baby with a tri is so so minuscule that I think you need to listen to the harmony results and relax. Yes 1:50 is a scary sounding number, the harmony test has indicated that actually you are one of the 49:50 that it is all ok for.

MrsChrisPratt · 28/10/2016 08:52

lucieloos I had the NHS test without bloods as started as a twin pregnancy but one died and wasn't passed from my body so was sending my hormones skew-wiff. Also couldn't have the Harmony for this reason as they weren't sure whether dna from the twin that died would still be present. It is possible but caused a lot of confusion-phine calls back and forth to a larger more specialised hospital to find out the procedure etc- and I was a 'special' case due to the circumstances. They should be able to do it for you if they're feeling helpful. Alternatively you can just ask the NT measurement which they should tell you, my sonographer did, not sure if all would give that info without context though.

lucieloos · 28/10/2016 09:05

Thanks MrsChris, I'm going to ask when I go for my scan. I definitely want the nuchal measurement as apparently that's 75% accurate without the bloods. Having the bloods increase the accuracy by another 5-10% but will ask if I can skip that but. I would feel happy with a good nuchal measurement and low risk harmony.

oldmumsomanyquestions · 28/10/2016 15:19

divade: Yes 1:50 is a scary sounding number, the harmony test has indicated that actually you are one of the 49:50 that it is all ok for. this is wise words and what I am telling myself. I know I've reacted disproportionately to the NHS but it really has flipped a switch in me and can't stop crying and now even throwing up.
lucieloos - I sort of wish I had just had the harmony so this confusion hadn't happened. The FMC do a very good scan with the harmony too.

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