Levels High for Pregnancy Quad Test

Maybe this website can help you out.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/quadscre...

Another grandmother

I will tell you a bit of my experience allthough it didn't turn out the way I wanted. Last June I tested high with my previous pregnancy . Although I can't give any advice I would suggest that she try to schedule an earlier Ultrasound. She must be going crazy not knowing if her baby is ok or not. They wanted to schedule me 3 weeks out and I told them they were crazy. How can they tell me something may be wrong with my child and expect me to wait 3 weeks to get the results. I was in within a week.
My U/S results turn out devastating and we ended up doing an Amnio for genetic testing. 2 days later my water broke which was a blessing in disguise, but I am glad we found out earlier then later. I was at 14 weeks and when I got the news so I was already in my 2nd trimester(my angel baby Sami).
I have also heard that there are false highs too. But that wasn't our case. Hope for the best but also be prepared.
That pregnancy ended early but I am pregnant again and due in 4-5 weeks with a girl, so far she is healthy.

Hi K.
I had the same test and was also told that I was above the "normal" range. I started freaking out and also had to wait 2 weeks to go for the ultrasound. Everything was completely fine and there was nothing to worry about. She should find out what her results were because if there is a problem the levels are usually really high. My levels were barely out of the normal range and I would not have been so worried if I had known this in the beginning. there are a few explanations for high levels that are harmless and this test is extremely unreliable and known for causing a lot of unneccesary anxiety. The only upside was getting the extra ultrasound. it is very thorough and you can get the 4-D pictures. Hope this helps, A.

Hi K.,

I'm not positive if the quad test and the test that I had done are the same, but I have a feeling they are. Is it a blood test that checks for genetic disorders such as Down's Syndrome and Trisomy 13? If so, I too had this done in my first trimester, but my levels were normal. However, they saw some things in my sonogram that led them to believe that my daughter would be born with Down's. She was perfectly healthy. I had two family members and a close friend who also had the procedure done. They came back with high levels, my aunt was even told it would be best to terminate! They all had perfectly healthy babies! I know that this isn't a scientific response, but it helped me breathe a little easier to know that the test wasn't always right. I even had to sign something saying that I understood that there was a chance of a false positive. So, hopefully, with a few prayers, you'll find out that it was merely a bad result. Good Luck. Let us know what happened.

Go to webMD on the internet.

I do not have alot of information but I did find this information... HTH
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/quadscre...

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/quad-marker-screen

Again, I hope this helps. I wish her much luck with the pregancy... I have had 7 high risk pregnancies ending up with 3 very beautiful and healthy kids.... always having to visit the genetic counselors with the pregnancies that held....

A friend of mine had this happen and everything turned out to be alright. She had the level two ultrasound, spoke with a gentic counselor, etc. etc. and everything appears to be great. She is due in two weeks and they said that the baby is thriving. Good luck to your niece.

What the test is testing for......

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/quadscre...

AFP: alpha-fetoprotein is a protein that is produced by the fetus

hCG: human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced within the placenta

Estriol: estriol is an estrogen produced by both the fetus and the placenta

Inhibin-A: inhibin-A is a protein produced by the placenta and ovaries

What do the quad screen results mean?

It is important to remember that the quad screen is a screening test and not a diagnostic test. This test only notes that a mother is at risk of carrying a baby with a genetic disorder. Many women who experience an abnormal test result go on to deliver healthy babies.

Abnormal test results warrant additional testing in order to make a diagnosis. A more conservative approach involves performing a second quad screen followed by a high definition ultrasound. If the testing still maintains abnormal results, a more invasive procedure such as amniocentesis may be performed.

Any invasive procedure should be discussed thoroughly with your healthcare provider and between you and your partner. Additional counseling and discussions with a counselor, social worker or minister may prove helpful.

What are the reasons for further testing?

The quad screen is a routine screening that poses no known risks to the mother or baby. The quad screen results may warrant additional testing. The reasons to pursue further testing or not vary from person to person and couple to couple. Performing further testing allows you to confirm a diagnosis and then provides you with certain opportunities:

* Pursue potential interventions that may exist (i.e. fetal surgery for spina bifida)
* Begin planning for a child with special needs
* Start addressing anticipated lifestyle changes
* Identify support groups and resources
* Make a decision about carrying the child to term

Some individuals or couples may elect not to pursue testing or additional testing for various reasons:

* They are comfortable with the results no matter what the outcome is
* Because of personal, moral, or religious reasons, making a decision about carrying the child to term is not an option
* Some parents choose not to allow any testing that poses any risk of harming the developing baby

It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of testing thoroughly with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will help you evaluate if the benefits from the results could outweigh any risks from the procedure.