maternit21/harmony/verify/pano

google123

Hi All,

 

I've seen so many ladies on here have had these tests?  One question.  Are all of you over 35 yrs old? or have a history of chromosomal issues?

 

I wanted to get the verify (verinata) test (I'm 31 with no history) and my OB said that the test manufacturer's won't even allow me to send in a sample because I'm under 35 with no history of chromosomal issues.  I was willing to pay out of pocket.  She said "oh it's not fda approved for women under 35"....which may be true, but as someone who works in regulatory affairs, FDA approval can mean nothing.  She did say if something came back strange on the NT results then I would be able to get it.

 

I was annoyed, and now I'm seeing so many women on here who did the tests.

Is there anyway to get the test done without an OB? like go to a labcorp and have them send my results to me, or buy the kit and send it back to them.  I work for a diagnostic laboratory, so getting a blood draw can be done by someone here.

golfingdarwinfish

Many of these tests are ran out of special laboratories, not labcorp.  You would have to contact the manufacturer/laboratory directly and talk to someone there, though many will not give out a test kit if the results are not being sent directly to a physician/genetic counselor.

FDA approval is not required for these tests; the lab must have a certain level of certification.

I will be 31 when I deliver and my doctor recommended the MaterniT21 test since I have a history of miscarriages.  

August & After

I'm not sure where you are located, but I am 31, no history of chromosomal issues and in the US. My doctor offered the Panorama test to me, and of my insurance doesn't cover it, it will cost is like 145.

BootsOrHearts

I've had them twice, but I was over 35 both times so not sure.

Yeah FDA approval doesn't really mean much. I would ask for a referral to a genetic counsellor and see if they can help you. They will know more about how you can get it done.

And yes, Labcorp now accepts these samples and I believe sends them to Harmony, so what's nice about that is it makes the lab work 'in network' for many of us who have labcorp as a contracted provider on our insurance plans.

google123

I just called labcorp and they told me that they still need an ob to order the test, but I can get drawn from their facility.

 

I'm starting to not like my ob clinic.  I don't see the rationale behind not offering the test to younger women.  Even if a woman is younger, there is still a chance she can have a child with a chromosomal issue.  If you search online it says that 80% of DS children are born to mothers under 35.  I think I should have the same right as a woman over 35 to get genetic testing....even if I don't have any risk factors, just for peace of mind.

 

This whole issue has really turned me sour, and it's not fair.  

golfingdarwinfish

Labcorp acts as a middleman, but these tests are ran at facilities with patented technologies and specific expertise.

golfingdarwinfish

google123:

I just called labcorp and they told me that they still need an ob to order the test, but I can get drawn from their facility.nbsp;I'm starting to not like my ob clinic.nbsp; I don't see the rationale behind not offering the test to younger women.nbsp; Even if a woman is younger, there is still a chance she can have a child with a chromosomal issue.nbsp; If you search online it says that 80 of DS children are born to mothers under 35.nbsp; I think I should have the same right as a woman over 35 to get genetic testing....even if I don't have any risk factors, just for peace of mind.nbsp;This whole issue has really turned me sour, and it's not fair. nbsp;

You can make an appointment with a genetic counselor without an ob referral. Why don't you just do that? You can check in with your insurance to see if the consultation would be covered sans referral.

2010weddinggal

google123:

I just called labcorp and they told me that they still need an ob to order the test, but I can get drawn from their facility.

 

I'm starting to not like my ob clinic.  I don't see the rationale behind not offering the test to younger women.  Even if a woman is younger, there is still a chance she can have a child with a chromosomal issue.  If you search online it says that 80% of DS children are born to mothers under 35.  I think I should have the same right as a woman over 35 to get genetic testing....even if I don't have any risk factors, just for peace of mind.

 

Your under 35 you have two children already, were they born with any thing that may warrant to test you this early with this specific blood test? I mean I would want every test in the book as well but my high risk is awesome and they will not do the special blood work until the blood work from the NT scan comes. 

 

This whole issue has really turned me sour, and it's not fair.  

Red_Dahlia

I'm 31 and my dr offered the test. I was offered a similar test(thought not as advanced as the new ones) when I was PG with DD in 2010 (28 years old).

google123

2010weddinggal:

google123:

 

Your under 35 you have two children already, were they born with any thing that may warrant to test you this early with this specific blood test? I mean I would want every test in the book as well but my high risk is awesome and they will not do the special blood work until the blood work from the NT scan comes. 

 

 

No, they are fine (knock on wood).  I'm a worry wart.  I went through some personal traumatic health issues with myself about 5 years ago.  So ever since then I've been extra paranoid about any type of health issues/ health concerns,etc.   I just feel it's important to know any health issues ahead of time, and I think it's reasonable.  I've had the NT scan, but I still don't like being given "chances".  Oh your chance of something is 1:10,000.  I feel that this test is fairly accurate, and I feel more comfortable knowing that fetal DNA has been analyzed and it's non=invasive as opposed to a amnio or cvs.

 

I guess I have this fear that I willl be that 1 in a million person where something bad will happen (healthwise).  Oh all the tests came back normal, but then get surprised at delivery.  That is obviously an issue I need to work on.

MamaGrillo

Over 35, history of miscarriage 4, and my doc recommended the Harmony.

BootsOrHearts

google123:

2010weddinggal:

google123:

Your under 35 you have two children already, were they born with any thing that may warrant to test you this early with this specific blood test? I mean I would want every test in the book as well but my high risk is awesome and they will not do the special blood work until the blood work from the NT scan comes. 

No, they are fine (knock on wood).  I'm a worry wart.  I went through some personal traumatic health issues with myself about 5 years ago.  So ever since then I've been extra paranoid about any type of health issues/ health concerns,etc.   I just feel it's important to know any health issues ahead of time, and I think it's reasonable.  I've had the NT scan, but I still don't like being given "chances".  Oh your chance of something is 1:10,000.  I feel that this test is fairly accurate, and I feel more comfortable knowing that fetal DNA has been analyzed and it's non=invasive as opposed to a amnio or cvs.

I guess I have this fear that I willl be that 1 in a million person where something bad will happen (healthwise).  Oh all the tests came back normal, but then get surprised at delivery.  That is obviously an issue I need to work on.

I think those are valid concerns. A genetic counsellor may be your best bet. They can tell you what your odds are just based on your age and history without the bother of an NT scan/quad screen and hopefully they can figure out how to help you get some kind of cell free fetal DNA test done.

NJMom050911

I am 34 with a miscarriage last year and my OB decided on the Harmony test. However I think it's routine at their office because in the timeline it states that their NT scan is scheduled with a blood test.

earychener

I'm only 27 and we have no history that would indicate any problems. However, I discussed with my OB and I elected to have the MaterniT21 drawn, along with the NT scan (she wanted me to still get this because they also look for physical markers on the u/s).  I just have to pay OOP since my insurance won't cover it unless I was 35 or older. She said that ACOG does recommend offering some type of screening to all pregnant women, but that since this is a newer test, most people elect for the NT scan because insurance companies cover that more often. She was fine with me getting it done. It's a personal choice, really. She said that there are no "risks" to having it done, only more information.

care99

google123:

So ever since then I've been extra paranoid about any type of health issues/ health concerns,etc.   I just feel it's important to know any health issues ahead of time, and I think it's reasonable.  I've had the NT scan, but I still don't like being given "chances".  Oh your chance of something is 1:10,000.  I feel that this test is fairly accurate, and I feel more comfortable knowing that fetal DNA has been analyzed and it's non=invasive as opposed to a amnio or cvs.

 

I guess I have this fear that I willl be that 1 in a million person where something bad will happen (healthwise).  Oh all the tests came back normal, but then get surprised at delivery.  That is obviously an issue I need to work on.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Harmony/Verify, etc. is a screening test and will give you a risk of 1:10,000 etc. too. You will not get an absolute answer from this test, like you would get from a CVS or amnio.

golfingdarwinfish

google123:

I just called labcorp and they told me that they still need an ob to order the test, but I can get drawn from their facility.

 

I'm starting to not like my ob clinic.  I don't see the rationale behind not offering the test to younger women.  Even if a woman is younger, there is still a chance she can have a child with a chromosomal issue.  If you search online it says that 80% of DS children are born to mothers under 35.  I think I should have the same right as a woman over 35 to get genetic testing....even if I don't have any risk factors, just for peace of mind.

 

This whole issue has really turned me sour, and it's not fair.  

Make an appointment with a genetic counselor. They can run the MaterniT21 test as well as any other tests that they see fit.  I had a very blunt conversation with my obgyn before DH and I started TTC and said I wanted the preconception genetic testing that was available to me before we started trying, and that I would want whatever non-invasive testing was available for the fetus post conception.  I'm a molecular geneticist by education and so my doctor understood my need for the testing, but when I moved over to a new doc (mine only sees you through the first 12 weeks) she automatically offered MateriT21 but noted that my insurance may not cover it. I opted for the testing regardless of coverage.

MarieC78

I'm 35, and during our first appointment my OB offered information on various invasive and non-invasive tests that were available for AMA. I don't know if she would have offered the tests a couple of years ago or not, she just kind of said since I fall into that age group, extra testing was available.

I still don't know how much (if any) insurance covered, hopefully the results and billing will be done this week.