Inconclusive gender Harmony Test Fetal Medicine Centre

[Msplove]

Hi all

I've received my results for the Harmony Test and they've come back with very low risk for Down, Edward and Patau syndrome but the Gender has come back inconclusive.

This has made me worried that there is an issue. Has anyone else had this?

Thanks

This is odd, I thought it was very easy to get foetal sex from the harmony readings. FWIW I had my testing done at the same place and found them to be great so just give them a call and ask to speak to someone about it

@Dipsy12 I called the centre and they said they'll get a doctor to call me back.

They sent this jn the email of my results
"I am afraid that the test for the gender was inconclusive which does not mean there is anything wrong but it simply failed. In approximately 2% of cases, the lab is not able to report a result for the fetal sex analysis. This indicates that the data obtained from the sample did not provide clear evidence of the presence or absence of the Y chromosome. Determining the presence or absence of the Y chromosome can be compromised by technical and biological factors (including benign variation in the structure of the Y chromosome and the quality of DNA in the sample) without limiting the reporting of the probability of trisomy."

They have offered a scan in a few weeks but I'm worried now and I also paid for this test for both the syndrome testing and the gender

I think sometimes the hormone just isn't strong enough. I know somebody who was told the wrong sex (I believe the male hormone wasn't strongly detected and so they incorrectly advised it was a baby girl). At least they have realised that they cannot detect the hormone in this instance instead of giving an incorrect gender.

Can you do the test again? What does the test's T&C's say? Does it say that it might not be able to detect the sex? Can you ask for a free re-test if the test has not provided you with the information you wanted?

@TooManyMoronsHere Yes that's true. Better not to give a result instead of an inaccurate one. Just slightly worried there may be a chromosome issue.

In the booking email there was no mention on the Harmony test leaflet but in the body of the email they mentioned "We offer this package for a total of £400 to include the 10 week scan and the Harmony test, as well as CVS in women with a positive Harmony test. If the Harmony test does not give a result (in about 5% of cases) the test can be repeated without additional cost or you will receive a refund of £280 without repeating it."

Ask them to redo the test for free? They might say no but if you don't ask you won't know 🤷

Search on here as I remember a similar thread and it wasn't a sign of any problems at all.

@Dipsy12 Agreed. They said they're going to get a doctor to call me in the next few hours and I'll ask then.

Just wondering whether anyone has had a similar experience. More for reassurance as I had a miscarriage earlier this year.

@Cakecakecheese Thank you! I read the post that i saw you were commenting on (someone commented an unhelpful comment) and didn't find the outcome of the original poster!

I've had Harmony (previous pregnancy) and Panorama (this one) but neither at the FMC. From what I remember, the sex chromosome testing is a bonus not included in the price and we were told that if that part came back inconclusive but the trisomy results were conclusive it wouldn't count for a retest. I also got the impression that while it usually works, it doesn't always but that doesn't mean that there is an issue with the foetus.

Good luck OP 🤞

Hi Op, I wouldn't worry. Many times these tests come back inconclusive (for Edwards, Patau etc as well). Specially if the test was done at around 10 weeks, 11 or 12 weeks is more reliable. Try not to worry X

Hi all thanks so much for all your messages.

They offered me a retest or a scan at 16 weeks.

We have our 12 week NHS Scan today so we were going to wait until after to decide which option. However, I just received an email from FMC with the following

"hope you are well.

After your conversation with the doctor they called the laboratory and asked them if they can attempt a second try on the DNA to get the gender result. Fortunately, the laboratory managed to do that and we are pleased to say we have a new report with the gender which is now attached."

The results came back as "Fetal sex FEMALE"

While I'm over the moon, I'm a bit sceptical as to how accurate this result is as it has been over a week since my sample has been drawn. I will call them later to see what they say.

@Msplove Hello!

I have just been reading up on Harmony tests and came across your thread (I am getting my Harmony test next week).

Did you have the sex of your baby confirmed? Did you have a gender scan?

Also, how far along were you when you got the Harmony test, if you don't mind me asking? I am going to be 10+3 so wondering if I should push back to closer to 11 weeks..

Thanks! x

@Lou1909 Hello! I would personally recommend waiting until 11 weeks at the very minimum. I got mine at 11 and it came back inconclusive so I'm going back for another sample (2 weeks after first). Waiting gives you a little stress so better to wait until chances are better :) Hope that helps and wishing everyone all the best :)

@littlepeanuthopes Hey! Thanks for sharing your experience with me, and sorry you've had to go through that stress. Did your full test come back inconclusive? Or just the gender part? X

@Lou1909 it was the full test. Apparently in early weeks there may not be enough DNA of the fetus so if I had known, I would have defo waited a little. I can't help but worry a tiny bit in case something else may have caused it to be inconclusive but hey! Nothing I can do but wait. Fingers crossed everything goes well with the redraw! All the best with your test too 😊

@Lou1909 based on my LMP I was 10 + 3 with the original test but now based on my EDD it would have been 11 weeks.
They said that the gender was inconclusive even though testing from the same sample because they test it in a different way to how they test for the syndromes.

I am impatient and anxious so I wanted to have my test done ASAP but if you can wait a little longer then for peace of mind you can do it at 11 weeks.

Keep us posted

@lilittlepeanuthopes I've heard this happened to a few people I know. In their case it was as you said - there wasn't enough dna to check. They were able to redo their test for free and it came back conclusive!

Where did you take the test? When I was concerned about it I was able to speak to the doctor at fetal.medicine.

Keep us posted

@Msplove thank you for sharing. I have my redraw on Tuesday but I feel nervous in case it's inconclusive again! Let's see 😕! Luckily they are not charging for that and they even offered a refund if I chose not to redraw.
I used an ultrasound specialist clinic in Harley Street (not the cheapest but they were recommended). I just want to get happy results and finally tell a wider group of people. Just reluctant until then. Will keep you posted x

@lilittlepeanuthopes Heyy how did your redraw go?

@Msplove I can't thank you enough for asking ❤️
I was 100% sure it was going to be inconclusive a second time, I had convinced myself but I'm so happy that the redraw worked and I got results yesterday evening to say low probability. It's been the biggest relief! So all I can say to everyone is do not worry if you get 1 or 2 inconclusives, it's often just too early and nothing to worry about. Hoping everyone's tests are going well. Next big hurdle is 20 week scan! Fingers crossed we all have a good and easy experience 🙏🏼❤️

@lilittlepeanuthopes so glad to hear!! How are you getting on?