Low risk of Downs but high Beta HcG - any experience

[Longtalljosie]

Hi everyone,

I've had quite a confusing conversation with my hospital midwife. My Downs results are good (1:550 for me as opposed to an age-related risk of 1:200) but my Beta HcG is 4.58. Apparently the highest "normal" reading is 4.5.

I've been told this isn't likely to be disability related but is (definitely? possibly?) more likely to be my placenta. I've been referred for a growth scan at 28 weeks (but I'm only 13+5 at the moment so that's quite a long, tense wait) and there's a chance of a smaller baby at the end of it - or a placenta that runs out of juice early.

Frankly, I don't know what to do with this information and can't really quantify it. Apparently the consultant will be able to tell me much more when I see him at 22 weeks but that's a long way off as well.

Has anyone else had this? Any light to shed on it? While my reading is higher than "normal", is that a lot higher than normal? These were all questions I did ask, but didn't get much more than platitudes really.

Hopeful thanks in advance x

im telling u now to get an amniocentesis now rather than later!! im dealing with the decision to keep my baby or terminating him. i just found out 4-4-12 that my baby at 19weeks 5day has myelomeningocele "spina bifida" and clubfeet. Mostlikey he will be disabled and have to have multiple surgerys in his life time. this is verry hurtful and painful to me and my husband. i can feel him move and kick allday that makes it harder i promise!! find out more now and save your self the heartache and stress. i need help too i dont know what to really do! i cry all day so good luck and best wishes i hope theres nothing wrong and your baby will be fine ill send prayers your way good luck

I have had high HcG levels with both my pregnancies. With my first pregnancy, the level was 4.27 (although I was not High Risk overall) and I was called in to see the consultant about it. When I arrived, he had no idea why I was there! He looked at the blood results and basically told me to go away as there was nothing to worry about. There was no mention of future placenta problems. My DD was born at full term weighing 9lb 8oz so definitely no growth issues either! With my current pregnancy (17 weeks) my HcG levels were 4.3. I was High Risk of Downs this time due to my greater age and a higher NT measurement in combination with the blood results. I had the amnio and it came back clear. I think some women just produce lots of HcG during pregnancy.

I know I'm several years late to this, but perhaps someone can give me some guidance and reassurance.

I'm 36 years old and currently 15 weeks and 2 days pregnant with my first child.

I did the NT Scan at exactly 13 weeks while I was overseas. The ultrasound itself came out entirely normal:

Nuchal Fold: 2.21
CRL: 65.88
Nasal Bone: Present

However, my blood test completely skewed my odds:

PAPP 0.8
Beta-HCG 3.84

This, combined with my age, took my baby out of a 1:237 (0.004%) risk for DS and elevated it to 1:19 (5.26%). When I put this in perspective, I know that my odds of me not having a baby with DS is still overwhelmingly high (94.74%). However, just being in a high risk category alarms me.

The doctors overseas recommended amniocentesis, but when I transferred to the OBGYN here, she recommended the NIPT instead.

Has anyone else been through this and given birth to a normal, healthy child? Throughout the past 2 weeks, I have read of several instances on the internet where the NT scan yielded horrifying statistics (some as high as 1:3 or 1:2), but the babies that were born were nonetheless healthy and perfect.

My husband and I have both decided that if I were to test positive through further tests for DS, then I would terminate the pregnancy because a DS child is not something we want or are prepared to handle.

I've also had a low Pappa A / high HCG with a normal nuchal measurement. As I'm 39 it put me at 1:190 risk. I know this is still low risk for the NHS, but it has me worried so I've had the Harmony test today and am awaiting the blood results for more info.

I just got my NIPT results back yesterday and I did my US today.

My NIPT cleared my baby for all chromosomal abnormalities.

The US looked great with the exception of a few cysts on the brain, which is only one marker of Trisomy 18, but the doctor said its highly unlikely because Trisomy 18 will yield at least multiple physical markers. The cysts will probably clear and get absorbed prior to birth.

I beat one of the worst NT odds: 1/19. I feel great and relieved after 5 weeks of anticipation.

I would have the NIPT. This is highly accurate in ruling out Down's (and good for Edwards' and Patau's) and it doesn't sound like you are at risk of any of the rarer chromosomal abnormalities.

I had a Down's risk of 1:5 (my age and the NT measurement, so opposite reasons to you) and have been given the all clear for any chromosomal issues. I went with the CVS as the NT measurement can mean all sorts of chromosomal conditions but wouldn't recommend that or amnio in your situation. Fingers crossed baby should be fine.

@SonyaAnew81 I've just been through similar - high HCG (3.11) and low PAPP-A (0.4) so although NT was only 1.6, the combined tests gave me a 1:19 too. I'm 38.

I opted for CVS and it came back great news, we've been cleared for all 3 major trisomies. To hopefully provide comfort - my NIPT also said very low risk. For total peace of mind CVS or amnio is probably the way forward - my CVS went well but the wait for results is horrible.

I'm glad it's such good news for you and good luck with the next few months! Xxx