High BetaHGC levels at Combined Test

[rosalux]

I recently had the results of my combined test at 12+6 (according to scan) and they came back as follows:

NT: 1.5mm
PAPP-A: 0.874 Mom
BetaHGC: 2.38 Mom

This, along with my age (34) has given me a risk factor of 1:959.

I appreciate that this is not a high risk figure as such, but in my last pregnancy the figures were (at 11+6)

NT: 1.2mm
PAPP-A: 1.403 MoM
BetaHGC: 0.952 MoM

Which, along with my then age (32) gave me a risk factor of 1:12988

And, whilst I was expecting the risk to be greater this time, I wasn't expecting such a huge difference.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of higher than normal HGC levels and what they could mean. I've seen stuff on the internet about it indicating hyperemesis, but I've not had this, or possibly a girl (too early to tell). I'm debating having the harmony test, but at £750 it's a lot of money and I would have to travel as they don't offer it in my city.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Hiya, I've had a similar experience. My NT measurement was 1.5mm, Papp-A 0.67 MoM, bhcg 2.08 MoM. With my age (33) it gave me a risk of 1 in 780 .
I don't exactly recall what I'd previously had but they were both 1 in thousands; so I didn't expect the number to be that low (even though it's still "lower risk").
Now, I phoned up the screening department to get my figures early (as you know that letter sometimes takes a while) and said to the MW I spoke to how shocked and a bit worried I was. So she offered to book me in for a detailed scan and specialist consultant appt, with the possibility of having an amnio that day.
Now I'm certain I don't want an amnio, but I'm glad to get the extra scan and the opportunity to speak to a consultant about my blood values. The NT measurement is better than average for my baby's size, so it's just the bloods that made my risk go up...
I will have that appt in one week's time so obviously can't tell you how it all worked out yet; but my advice would be to either speak to your MW or the screening department and get an appointment. I didn't think they would offer me this seeing as I'm technically lower risk, but as there is the option to investigate further I'm happy to take it.

Petra thanks that's really helpful to know. I did speak to the screening midwife at the hospital and she said I could ask for an amino referral, I don't think I want one (an amino) but the opportunity for a detailed scan and to speak with a consultant would be good so I think I wil call on Monday and see if I can arrange this. Might have to play up the desire for an amino though. Hate such mini deceptions. Good luck and let me know how you get on,

rosa good luck with the call! I basically just said I was worried as my previous results / pregnancies had been much lower risk; and asked if there were any other blood tests I could have. She said no, but then offered this scan/consultant combo (with the option of amnio) but said I could really just have the scan and chat for reassurance!
Mine is on the 29th... Will let you know how it goes.

Spoke to the screening midwife again and she said that they wouldn't offer a more detailed scan because it won't really tell you anything more, ditto bloods at 16 weeks because they are less reliable at the NT. However, I am going to see a fetal consultant on Friday afternoon to discuss the results and the possibility of invasive testing. Will let you know how I get on.

Petra just checking in to see how your appt at the hospital went.

I saw the fetal medicine consultant at our NHS hospital last week and he did his best to reassure me, without offering any further bloods/scans. He did say I could have an amnio if I wanted, but DH and I both agree that the risks are too great. I have booked in for a harmony test (which the consultant was very positive about) this coming Saturday but won't know the results for at least 2 weeks after that. So much waiting!

I had a high hcg (3.something) with normal nt and Papp-a. Overall my risk for downs still came out low (not sure of the exact number).

Because of this Iat my 20 week scan they checked uterine artery dopplers and growth as apparently high hcg can be associated with placenta problems and reduced growth. My dopplers were slightly high so I had a series of growth scans, the last one at 37 weeks. She measured small throughout but continued to grow along about the 25th centile. DD was born 2 weeks ago, weighed 6lb 12oz, healthy and perfect.

I worried a lot when first told, but all was fine for us, I hope hearing a positive story helps. I spoke to the antenatal screening department nurses and they were really helpful, the normal midwives didn't seem to know much about it.

Hi Rosa, just came to find this thread!

My appt today went really well. The consultant was very good at reassuring me - she said she'd only worry with a hcg value of 3.5 or higher; that all pregnancies are different and no one ever gets the 'perfect score'! She also mentioned the Harmoni test to me but said that, too, only gives you a risk assessment and when it's negative, you get 1 in 10000. Then she proceded to do the scan; checked all the 'soft markers' and everything turned out to be fine. As mentioned before I wasn't going to go for the amnio anyway, and the talk and scan really gave me peace of mind.
Let me know how the harmony test goes for you, and good luck with everything!

Petra Really glad to hear things went well. Always good to have another scan IMHO! I asked the consultant about soft markers and he was quite non-committal, but I know from researching that the FMC use them and they are the best in the country, so I think they must tell you stuff, perhaps it's just not 'official' and you need someone properly trained to do the looking.

Yeah I really liked getting the extra scan; and even got a 3D photo to take away with me! At some point she had to switch to 3D as she couldn't see something clearly; I was quite amazed the NHS did that. But I suppose consultants get the higher range ultrasound machines??
Funny your consultant has that attitude about soft markers as that's NHS standard procedure I think - a good friend of mine got 1 in 5 with her second baby so she went through literally everything - and this was the first step for her too (she did go on to have the amnio as they found some soft markers, but her baby was born completely healthy).

I read this post with interest because its very similar to my experience which I posted about here. I saw my midwife today who told me that the nuchal measurement is much more reliable than the bloods. The nuchal alone is 75% accurate and the combined test is 85%. Having said this my midwife is a tad crazy - she suggested that the full moon would break my waters when I was 9 days overdue with DD! I thought about the harmony testing but decided that it wasn't worth it for me because I would probably proceed with the pregnancy even if the baby had DS and in those circumstances I could probably do without having spent £600 on testing! It's good to know that I could ask a sonographer to look for soft markers because I might consider paying for a private scan for this.

I went for the harmony test yesterday and was slightly panicking the scan would reveal bad news. It didn't, but matters weren't helped by the sonographer rushing off to help a woman stuck in the clinic lift literally seconds before she began, leaving me stranded on the bed thingy with my belly exposed and covered in gloop. Fortunately the woman escaped the lift shortly afterwards. Now just have to wait 2 weeks or so for blood results...