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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Can you request a test for toxoplasmosis in the UK?

23 replies

bananapeanutbutter · 18/12/2009 19:14

Does anyone know if you can request a test for toxoplasmosis from your midwife? Has anyone asked for one before?

OP posts:

mumcah · 18/12/2009 20:41

I'm not sure but I'm pretty sure you are tested for it when you have your first blood tests done by the midwife(10 weeks for me).

If you've been exposed to cat poo you should be able to ask for a test I would have thought.A friend of mine was tested as this happened to her (clearing out the sand pit).

chegirlwithbellson · 18/12/2009 20:47

I definately have been tested for this. It was 18 years ago but I remember it clearly because it showed I had been exposed at some point before the pregnancy. Not suprising as I used to be a veterinary nurse.

Have two pregs in the last two years and i dont remember anyone mentioning it to me though.

Why not ask if you are worried?

theyoungvisiter · 18/12/2009 20:48

Yes, I asked for one. I have a cat and had done a lot of gardening unprotected before I found out I was pregnant. They just added it to my booking bloods, no bother.

You would probably have to give a reason for requesting a test - but they'd probably take your word for it if you said you thought you'd been exposed.

theyoungvisiter · 18/12/2009 20:50

"I'm not sure but I'm pretty sure you are tested for it when you have your first blood tests done by the midwife(10 weeks for me)."

Most places in the UK do not routinely test - so don't assume you've been tested unless they tell you so.

spicemonster · 18/12/2009 20:53

Don't assume you've been tested but do assume that if you've had cats for any amount of time that you have already had toxoplasmosis.

HumphreyCobbler · 18/12/2009 20:56

I asked for a test during my second pg, when I had an illness that I thought might have been toxoplasmosis. I knew I wasn't immume as I has asked for it to be done during routine bloods during my first pg, as I live on a farm. It came back negative, but it is worth testing for as there are drugs you can take to stop it crossing the placenta if you are exposed during pregnancy.

theyoungvisiter · 18/12/2009 20:57

Actually I showed up negative on my test - which really surprised me as I have a cat and always had one as a child.

I also eat a lot of rare meat.

I asked the MW what this meant and she said that it showed no significant antibodies which could mean no immunity at all, or could just mean no recent exposure (ie I'd had it at some point but so long ago it was undetectable).

So it didn't really help me with knowing whether I was immune or not - but it did show that you can live with a cat and do a lot of poo shovelling and not get exposed!

spicemonster · 18/12/2009 21:08

Gosh - I was under the impression that if you have cats it's really unlikely that you hadn't had it. I carried on cleaning out my cats' litter tray throughout my pregnancy and was fine so I think you take normal hygience precautions, you should be fine in any event shouldn't you?

MarineIguana · 18/12/2009 21:13

Yes, I panicked during my first pg after eating rare meat, and they tested me happily. I had old antibodies showing I'd had it and was immune.

theyoungvisiter · 18/12/2009 21:15

I think there's two key things I read about cats and toxo (I hope both are right - I'm typing this from memory so perhaps a vet will correct me if I'm wrong!)

Firstly you can only get it from their faeces when they contract it for the first time - usually when they're a kitten. So your average adult cat is not that likely to transmit it.

Secondly the cats themselves get it from eating raw meat - so if you're feeding your cat canned food and they aren't hunting much, they aren't that likely to contract it.

So in that sense, I suppose it makes it less likely that you would contract it from cats. I read somewhere that most people who contract it do so from eating raw meat.

theyoungvisiter · 18/12/2009 21:19

oh good wiki seems to agree with me re cats so it looks like I am not talking bollocks, this time at least!

It also says that only about a fifth of UK adults have it - which is quite interesting.

And that anchovies are helping to spread the disease?!! Damn those pesky fish!

Sorry OP, slight digression from the subject I realise... bottom line is you can request a test...

Original poster

bananapeanutbutter · 19/12/2009 11:44

Thanks everyone. I won't feel like an idiot asking for one!

OP posts:

Greatgoing · 19/12/2009 14:00

It is actually rare to be immune, cats or not. I requested a test for toxo-ask for one for parvovirus while you are at it too.Both good to know as part of your general health info.

It is constantly trotted out that 'if you have had cats you are immune' and it is rubbish.

GP will happily do it for you but not routinely tested for in UK

chegirlwithbellson · 19/12/2009 21:43

I was told I was immune too!

FelicityMary · 19/12/2009 22:23

Stats are 20% of the UK population have toxo (as you never get rid of it but become 'immune', but 80% of France have it... therefore its more likely you get it from raw meat than cats (unless the French really like cats). Research shows cats can get it up to every 6 years so just because you don't have a kitten, still be careful when you clean out the litter tray if you know your cat hunts mice and rats... if you feed your cat raw meat (like beef or lamb) its fine as that doesn't make their poop infectious. Basically I'm not sure how much a test would help, just be cautious and follow good food & cat hygiene unless you live under exceptional circumstances (for example the woman on the farm).

SHAZ8 · 20/12/2009 16:33

Hi, you won't be routinely tested for it throughout your antenatal care. Your Gp will be able to do it and results can take up to about 2-3 weeks. I have had cats all my life and one cat had tox somewhere between 0-5 years according to recent blood tests so i got myself tested just as i found out i was preg. It came back neg. Aparently it is really difficult to contract tox - you need to actually ingest contaminated cat faeces. The faeces are only contaminated after 24hours so therefore if your cleaning your litter tray everyday there is practically no risk of contracting it. So don't be overly worried about it - but to put your mind at ease i would get a blood test from your Gp - you'll feel better for it.
p.s cats that hunt are more likely to contract tox
Hope this helps

Jacanne · 20/12/2009 16:39

I asked for one because we had just got kittens at the time I fell pregnant - the results came back positive for anti-bodies but it was an old infection - you actually have to contract while you are pregnant for it to be a problem. I have read that most people who have had cats since childhood have already been exposed and therefore have nothing to worry about.

Jacanne · 20/12/2009 16:41

Have just read the rest of this thread and apparently the second part of my post is incorrect Have definitely heard that though.

Myoldboots · 20/12/2009 17:09

I asked for one because I'm a vet, have 6 cats at home (!!)and was working with sheep a lot when I fell pregnant. However, I tested negative, which came as a bit of a shock as I'd just assumed that I'd have been exposed...
Where I live they don't do it routinely, but it was no problem to add it onto the blood counts at the booking-in appointment.

bigpreggybelly · 21/12/2009 11:39

It was done as part of my first lot of blood tests - ask the midwife, you may have had it done already, if not, there's no reason why they can't still do it.

memorylapse · 21/12/2009 13:35

when I was pregnant with ds16 years ago..I had a blood test at 17 weeks which showed previous infection..hardly surprising given that I was a keen gardener..had a cat and spent most of childhood eating worms

chegirlwithbellson · 21/12/2009 21:35

I think it may have been routine then memory because that is when I had mine.

memorylapse · 21/12/2009 21:37

chegirl..I think you are right..then by the time I had DS2 they had stopped doing it

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