Bloodwork results back...I need some positive feedback please UPDATE

Beckyboo71 · July 2014

I just got a call from the nurse at my doctor's office saying that my bloodwork came back positive for Down Syndrome, and I asked the ratio and she said 1:85. But she said that if my dates were off, it could trigger a false positive, and my doctor also told me before the test that my age (43) could trigger it as well. Then she said, "you had a good ultrasound though, right?" and I said yes....which, to me, sounded good. Have any of you had this happen? I know I have to take another test, the Panorama, I think, which has a lower false-positive rate. Please help ease my mind! Thanks!

**UPDATE: Got the results back this morning and everything looks good...I am low-risk! And, we are having a GIRL!!!! Thank you all so much for your support! If it wasn't for you, these last 2 weeks would've been unbearable!

:-*

csjsmom · July 2014

I haven't done all the testing yet but my doctor told me she put more faith in the nt scan (with a specialist who she fully trusts) than the blood work screen. She told me age will affect those results. I'm 41.
Hopefully it's the same for you!

harmonicbabe26 · July 2014

I don't think a screening test can come back 'positive' for DS. You may have a marker but i would say 1-85 is still low.
Can't remember 100% but at out genetic consult the lady said for someone my age (36) the avg risk was like 1:45 (i think????)

This is why the specialized screens are so much better! Go in for the Panorama and don't waste time freaking out esp if you had a goid u/s.

Beckyboo71 · July 2014

harmonicbabe26 said:
I don't think a screening test can come back 'positive' for DS. You may have a marker but i would say 1-85 is still low.
Can't remember 100% but at out genetic consult the lady said for someone my age (36) the avg risk was like 1:45 (i think????)

This is why the specialized screens are so much better! Go in for the Panorama and don't waste time freaking out esp if you had a goid u/s.

Thank you so much!

NicoleWI · July 2014

1 in 85 doesn't seem bad. Don't you need to compare it to the average risk number for your age?

Mrs.McIrish · July 2014

Remember that means that 84/85 times its negative. Those are great odds!! At 43, it's so hard not to get triggered by the bloodwork. Get the panarama or mat 21/harmony. I know it's impossible not to worry but that number doesn't seem bad to me. Like the others said, what is the typical risk for your age?

Beckyboo71 · July 2014

I don't know the numbers for my age, but I will be sure to ask tomorrow! Thanks so much....I feel a little calmer now

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Beckyboo71 · July 2014

Slaps said:

I am 43, and for my age only they said the ratio was 1:25, thankfully the blood work took that ratio up a lot. But don't forget they are only screenings, and can be wrong.

@slaps....did you get further testing done? If so, what were the results?

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indianaalum · July 2014

First, BREATHE. I know it's hard. Been there, I get it..but BREATHE Second, NT scan is a "Screening" tool and not a DIAGNOSTIC tool so you aren't "positive" for Down's, you have an increased risk...which we all do at this age. Third, due to our age (I'm 41) sometimes the NT scan gives SCARY ASS numbers. yes, that is the formal term for it...scary ass! LOL Fourth, do Panorama and hope for the best. Here is my experience to hopefully calm you down. I am 41 and was given a 1:45 risk after NT scan. Panorama test came back fine for all genetic abnormalities. Longest 3 weeks of my life! LOL Good Luck. (I wrote as paragraphs..not sure if it is working)

Beckyboo71 · July 2014

indianaalum said:
First, BREATHE. I know it's hard. Been there, I get it..but BREATHE

Second, NT scan is a "Screening" tool and not a DIAGNOSTIC tool so you aren't "positive" for Down's, you have an increased risk...which we all do at this age.

Third, due to our age (I'm 41) sometimes the NT scan gives SCARY ASS numbers. yes, that is the formal term for it...scary ass! LOL

Fourth, do Panorama and hope for the best.

Here is my experience to hopefully calm you down.

I am 41 and was given a 1:45 risk after NT scan. Panorama test came back fine for all genetic abnormalities. Longest 3 weeks of my life! LOL

Good Luck.

(I wrote as paragraphs..not sure if it is working)

Thank you for giving me a laugh & helping me to calm down! One more question...it took 7 days for the results of this bloodwork to come back....is it about the same for the Panorama?

Bigboneded · July 2014

The panorama and such come back in 1-2 weeks usually. Depends on the lab and how busy they are. Mine was just about 10 days last time :-)

Samuelismomma · July 2014

My dr won't even do the old blood test because they are not reliable scan only and harmony/panorama. The old test told my sis my nephew would have ds and dr gave terminate speech and he was born perfect...

indianaalum · July 2014

Panorama took exactly 2 weeks for me

Beckyboo71 · July 2014

Samuelismomma said:

My dr won't even do the old blood test because they are not reliable scan only and harmony/panorama. The old test told my sis my nephew would have ds and dr gave terminate speech and he was born perfect...

Well, they explained both blood tests to me, so I got the heads-up that, because of my age, there was a 25-30% chance it could come back positive. But, they gave me the choice to do the Panorama test first, but told me that if it wasn't covered by my insurance, it would cost me $200. They said if the first one came back positive, I'd be called back for genetic counseling and they'd offer the panorama test then, which would then be covered by the state of California. So I tried to prepare myself that this could happen, but it still has me on edge till I get the results back from the next test.

2ndGeneration · July 2014

My understanding, is that being over 40 really throws the NT bloodwork. My doc didn't even order it-I had the NT scan and Mat121 (like Panorama) on the same day. Came back 6 days later, great results! I'm 43.

Eastie156 · July 2014

Op, I had a bad result with Panorma with T13. I was told it was highly probably that our baby would have it and had to go in for a CVS test. Everything turned out fine. I was told because I was only 35 and not 38, the results were skewed.. I know it's a slightly different situation, but just try to keep an open mind.

Eastie156 · July 2014

Samuelismomma said:

My dr won't even do the old blood test because they are not reliable scan only and harmony/panorama. The old test told my sis my nephew would have ds and dr gave terminate speech and he was born perfect...

Um, I got this speech after my Panorama results. Which were WRONG. Panorama can be wrong as well. There's a lot Dr's don't know about it. It's not an end all test.

dukemeli · July 2014

I got a positive sequential screen when I was pregnant with my son. The odds came back as 1:15 that he had DS. I was 34 at the time. I did MaterniT21 and it came back negative. I have a very healthy and active 19 month old. This time, I completely bypassed the NT Scan and sequential screen. I went straight to Panorama. I got my results back earlier this week. The baby is very healthy. Try not to worry too much. More than likely everything is just fine. Do Panorama or one of the other tests for peace of mind.

Beckyboo71 · July 2014

Thank you everyone....I feel so much better than I did earlier this week. I'm so grateful to have access to all your insight through The Bump!

jengalbraith818 · July 2014

I haven't done this test yet but I am curious about it. They had mentioned it to me right before I lost my last baby. I know when I was pregnant with my youngest (she is 9) they did what at the time was called a level 2 ultrasound and measured different parts of her to test for Downs. Do they not do that anymore? Is it just blood test and then Amnio?

Beckyboo71 · July 2014

@jengalbraith818‌....I also had an ultrasound done too where the doctor measured everything the same day I had the bloodwork done.

junismum · July 2014

HI, like idianaalum said .... Breathe... Hopefully you have by now (hugs)

I had the Harmony test, it took nearly 3 weeks (although in my case it takes 3 days to get to the states and there was 4th July holidays in the middle), but it came back with a 1/10000 chance

and I am told there is only 0.01% chance of a false positive. It was done at 11 weeks for me, but I understand it can be done later.

Because it is based on looking at the actual DNA of the baby and the Chromosomes, pretty much either the extra chromosome is at position 21 (I think its 21) or its not, so its a lot surer than a guess based on age, or thickness of the neck fold etc.

Before you worry yourself sick, I would recommend a second opinion in any form - and the Harmony test seemed pretty good - I dont know about the other test ladies mentioned (I am only the second person in my town to do the Harmony test -its all new to us here in New Zealand) but its great science to be available. If you are able to do it, it will give you a more definate answer.

Whatever the outcome, lots of warm thoughts coming your way.

Beckyboo71 · July 2014

@junismum‌ ....I believe the Harmony test and Panorama test are the same thing and have the same low rate for false positives. Thank you so much for your reply....I am feeling better, but still anxious to find out the results!

harmonicbabe26 · July 2014

jengalbraith818 said:
I haven't done this test yet but I am curious about it. They had mentioned it to me right before I lost my last baby. I know when I was pregnant with my youngest (she is 9) they did what at the time was called a level 2 ultrasound and measured different parts of her to test for Downs. Do they not do that anymore? Is it just blood test and then Amnio?

They still do the u/s and regular sequential screening bloodwork BUT over 35 you can now ask for Panorama/Harmony/maternit21 instead or in addition to those things. I chose to have Harmony instead of the orher bloodwork since it is more accurate but we still have the u/s bc ut also checks on other stuff in the baby, not just DS so it's worth it to me to have it.

Samuelismomma · July 2014

I was trying to reassure the op....panarama had a 0.5 percent chance of false positive. The quad will tell 50 out of 1000 women there iis a problem.

haribo2 · July 2014

I'm an old timer, but wanted to share my experience with you. For DD2, based on blood I was given a 1:4 chance of an abnormality, then a NT scan showed increased nuchal thickness I think 4-5 (I don't remember the exact number). I was devastated. I did a CVS, genetic tests all came back normal, and DD2 is beautiful at 16 months and fine

It is incredibly hard not to worry so hang in there.