Re: abnormal tast
From: Rachael (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 27 Dec 1999 11:45:51 -0600 (CST)
The way I understood this test (someone please correct me if I'm wrong)
is that it does matter how far along you are because the statistics
compare you to other women your age at your stage in pregnancy.
How these numbers work, the way I understand it: They take you age and
weeks pregnant, and measure the AFP in your blood stream. The AFP is
from the baby, which your body absorbs into your bloodstream. For a
woman my age (25) my risk of Downs might be 1 in 3000. But my AFP
screening might come back 1 in 300. This only means I am at a higher
risk for Downs in this pregnancy compared to others my age at that
particular lab. So this does not mean Downs. This only means a doctor
might want to look further into it to rule it out.
I personally know someone who had baby with a 1 in 4 chance of spina
bifada, and birthed a perfectly healthy baby boy. I have known many
others who have had high or low readings from the screening and
everything has been fine. I also know a lot of women who refuse this
test because of the false readings it produces.
I wish you well, and I hope you can relax until Wednesday. As a side
note, I know some women who opt not to do the amnio, and have a level II
ultrasound or 3D ultrasound to look for abnormalities.
Happy New Year!
At Sun, 26 Dec 1999, Wendi wrote:
>
>At Sun, 26 Dec 1999, Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. wrote:
>>
>>At Sun, 26 Dec 1999, Wendi wrote:
>>>
>>>I had an ultrasound on 12-23 due to an abnormal tast test.
>>
>>>From the rest of your letter, it sounds like AFP test.
>>
>Thank you for your response..though my due date is technically different
>than what we originally thought, for some reason the doctor's office
>does not change it in the file..however, it is not enough time to make a
>signifigance in the AFP test to retake the test.
>
>The lab indicated that I have low reading..I do not understand what this
>means and what is the cause. As far more specific numbers..this is all
>the doctor's office provided and said more will be explained during
>Genetic counseling. If you have any more information, that would be
>great, regarding the cause of a low level reading...Thank you very
>much..
>
>>>does not change but I was off by 7 days.
>>
>>IF you're off by 7 days, the due date has to change unless I don't
>>understand.
>>
>>>The ultrasound put me at 16
>>>weeks pregnant opposed to 17. Everything appeared normal, however I was
>>>recommended genetic counseling and I will have an amnio. This takes
>>>place on 12-29. It appears that I am put into a risk for having a down
>>>syndrome baby.
>>
>>This is purely statistics. Certain numbers fall into the "normal"
>>category, others into the "low" category and others into the "high"
>>category. The majority of "low" values are considered "false positive"
>>because they are associated with perfectly normal kids.
>>
>>If you have any further questions or more specific numbers, please write
>>again.
>>
>>Good luck.
>>
>>>I have had nothing but anxiety and sleepness nights. Can
>>>you explain the statistics and if there was anything that I could have
>>>done to put me in this category. Note: I just turned 33. I have 2
>>>other healthy children ages, 3 & 1. The only genetic history is my
>>>husband's maternal grandmother's sister's daughter, had a down syndrome
>>>baby, but she was well over 35 at prenancy. Thank you for your time..
>>
>>--
>>Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS
>>Great Neck, New York
>>
>>**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
>>and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
>>This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
>>consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
>>and/or interventions.
>>
>>**Private emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints,
>>consequently no private emails will receive a response.
>>
>>**Thank you for your understanding ;-)
>>
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