Free-Cell Blood Test(Down syndrome)

Re: Free-Cell Blood Test(Down syndrome)

• Bear14+ member

  November 2015

  I didn't..my office wanted like $350 from me for it. I opted for the NT scan instead.

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• j19mama member

  November 2015

  I'm having blood drawn for the Panorama today. I actually spoke to the local Natera rep directly and she said results will be back to my Dr.'s office within 7-10 days (not biz days). I'm looking forward to the results and putting one more "iffy" thing behind me

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• goldie987 member

  November 2015

  Bear14+ said:

  I didn't..my office wanted like $350 from me for it. I opted for the NT scan instead.

  Mine too. Well, the testing company charged $350 if you weren't high risk, so they passed that on to the patient. I wish we were able to afford to get it. Hope it all comes back healthy!

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• mom2beEbby member

  November 2015

  Oh wow! I was told that my insurance would cover it, but I have state insurance. I hope it does. I was online and saw some people received $8000 bills even when insurance is supposed to cover. I hope that doesn't happen to me.

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• mom2beEbby member

  November 2015

  aiellomp said:

  I'm having blood drawn for the Panorama today. I actually spoke to the local Natera rep directly and she said results will be back to my Dr.'s office within 7-10 days (not biz days). I'm looking forward to the results and putting one more "iffy" thing behind me

  Im so impatient, I call every day to see if it came back early. they are going to block my number. Lol
  

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• bio-oesch member

  November 2015

  It's normally for high risk or women 35yrs and older. Otherwise I don't think it's covered. 

    

              

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• colesmom33 member

  November 2015

  I got it with my DS and it was so nice to know early on that everything was good.  I found out Monday that they can't do it with triplets, which is disappointing.  At 40, it was nice to have the peace of mind.

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• GinnyJ2012 member

  November 2015

  My insurance won't cover it unless the results from my NT scan come back with poor results. I didn't have it done with either of my two pregnancies. Also since I've had two boys I was told that results for sex will come back as "boy, inconclusive" since the free cell DNA remains in the mothers blood for a long time.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• mom2beEbby member

  November 2015

  Im a little concerned because I was not offered an NT scan with this. I wonder if they are planning that depending on the results of this blood test.

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• Wyattnash00 member

  November 2015

  I had my blood drawn for the panorama on Monday, they said wait 2 weeks if I haven't heard. I'm trying not to think about it, but I'm with you, it's very nerve wrecking, hang in there!

  

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• Bear14+ member

  November 2015

  mom2beEbby said:

  Im a little
  concerned because I was not offered an NT scan with this. I wonder if they are
  planning that depending on the results of this blood test.

  At my office I had a choice to do the cell free test or the NT scan. From how my OB explained, they check for the same things but the cell free test has a higher accuracy.

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• mom2beEbby member

  November 2015

  Bear14+ said:

  Im a little concerned because I was not offered an NT scan with this. I wonder if they are planning that depending on the results of this blood test.

  At my office I had a choice to do the cell free test or the NT scan. From how my OB explained, they check for the same things but the cell free test has a higher accuracy.

  Oh Ok. That makes sense. 

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• TunieBee member

  November 2015

  I did Panorama with my first and Verifi with this one. I am not over 35 or high risk. I had to pay $200 out of pocket for Panoram and $99 for Verifi, the companies that offer the tests do a good job of off-setting the cost. They both assured me both times if my insurance denied the claim (which they did), I would not be stuck with the cost (and I wasn't).  It's a nerve-wracking wait but worth it in my mind for peace of mind for the rest of the pregnancy. Good luck!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• HBamama2B member

  November 2015

  I'm having the materni-T21 next week. It's the same thing. Then I have an NT the week after that. I'll be 35 when the baby is born so that's why they were ordered for me. I'm excited to know that everything is ok.

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• june2016baby member

  November 2015

  GinnyJ2012 said:

  My insurance won't cover it unless the results from my NT scan come back with poor results. I didn't have it done with either of my two pregnancies. Also since I've had two boys I was told that results for sex will come back as "boy, inconclusive" since the free cell DNA remains in the mothers blood for a long time.

  I tried to find more info on this online...Could you direct me somewhere helpful?

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• MrsBackflipDudley member

  November 2015

  I just did a quick search of this... I have an almost 2 year old son and just got my InformaSeq results back that said I am having another boy. From what I can tell online (and could be wrong.. lol) the test uses cell free fetal DNA which goes away quickly and is no longer detectable 2 hours after birth. It said fragments of fetal DNA linger for the rest of your life, but the cell free fetal DNA goes away quickly.

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• ageocaris member

  November 2015

  I did the VisibiliT screening last Wed and got the call exactly one week later (yesterday). All results came back clear and we found out we're having a girl!!
  
  Cost was $140 without help from insurance and I'm under 35. This was decidedly the best option for us.

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• mcbutter73 member

  November 2015

  I did it last Monday and got the results on Friday! I was so surprised by how quick the results were that I started stressing they mixed up my blood with someone elses! Insurance covered mine 100% because I'm 42. My results were less than 1 in 10,000 chance for Down's syndrome and I'm having a girl!

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• mcbutter73 member

  November 2015

  Don't know if you'll be able to read the file attached. Free Cell DNA does NOT remain in the body for a long time, so you can expect reliable results from your NIPT even if you've been pregnant before.

  image.png 99K

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• mom2beEbby member

  November 2015

  So, my test results were sent to my doctor 10 minutes ago. BUT my doctors office is CLOSED as of 2 minutes ago. They couldn’t tell me if they sent real results or inconclusive so I have to wait to call my doc office tomorrow. My patience doesn’t work well under these conditions.  

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• mcbutter73 member

  November 2015

  I had to do a genetic counseling class before I was allowed to take the test and asked the question about how accurate results are if you've had previous pregnancies, and i was told the same thing your research came up with-the cell free Dna that is taken is only from the current pregnancy. Previous pregnancies do NOT affect results.

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• MrsBackflipDudley member

  November 2015

  That is very good to know! Thanks

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• mom2beEbby member

  November 2015

  Found out today, its a girl!

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• goldie987 member

  November 2015

  Don't want to hijack the thread but quick question for all you ladies who had the test done.  If you had it done due to a family history of trisomys, how close was the relative with the trisomy (if you don't mind me asking)?  My mom just informed me that my dad's cousin had Downs and I have no idea if that's close enough to cause worry.  My doctor is closed through monday so I'll give them a call monday morning but I would love to know if I'm just overcautious here or is there is actual cause for concern.  

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• Boonhilde member

  November 2015

  I took the test. I'm terrified waiting for the results. I try to tell myself if it were the 20-week ultrasound I wouldn't be scared. But it's not working. I'm excited to find out the sex, but then I feel guilty for not concentrating every cell in my body on how scared I am!

  
  
  

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• Boonhilde member

  November 2015 edited November 2015

  Sgoldberg247 said:

  Don't want to hijack the thread but quick question for all you ladies who had the test done.  If you had it done due to a family history of trisomys, how close was the relative with the trisomy (if you don't mind me asking)?  My mom just informed me that my dad's cousin had Downs and I have no idea if that's close enough to cause worry.  My doctor is closed through monday so I'll give them a call monday morning but I would love to know if I'm just overcautious here or is there is actual cause for concern.  

  
  
  I, personally, wouldn't say it's a HUGE cause for concern, but it's a bit concerning....
  
  Just my completely unknowledgable oppinion. I had my test because of past losses and age. Yay being 35!

  
  
  

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• goldie987 member

  November 2015

  Boonhilde said:

  I, personally, wouldn't say it's a HUGE cause for concern, but it's a bit concerning.... Just my completely unknowledgable oppinion. I had my test because of past losses and age. Yay being 35!

  Thanks (I think that was directed at me).  I'm only 25 so I'm considered low risk and wasn't planning to spend the money but the "oh, you know dad's cousin had down's, right?" thrown into the conversation kind of took me off guard and now I'm not sure if I should be worried.  I'm likely getting extra tests due to my aunt having spina bifida (which is how it came up) so either my family just has a whole host of health history issues or I'm worrying too much, not sure which it is.  

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• lauren0913 member

  November 2015

  @Sgoldberg247 my doctor told me it has more to do with age then it does genetics.....I wouldn't be too concerned

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• RMM1204 member

  November 2015

  jaceyannie said:

  I got it with my DS and it was so nice to know early on that everything was good.  I found out Monday that they can't do it with triplets, which is disappointing.  At 40, it was nice to have the peace of mind.

  So obgyn can't do that test for multiples?? I am having twins and anxious to be tested in a week.

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• goldie987 member

  November 2015

  lauren0913 said:

  @Sgoldberg247 my doctor told me it has more to do with age then it does genetics.....I wouldn't be too concerned

  Thanks, that's what I figured but I remembered seeing something about family history of downs on one of the papers we did at our first appointment. I assumed I was just over reacting but its good to hear it from someone else.

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• HBamama2B member

  November 2015

  @RMM1204 several of our twin moms on my IVF board have had a blood test, so there's at least one that can be done for twins!

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• CopperLane member

  November 2015

  Sgoldberg247 said:

  lauren0913 said:

  @Sgoldberg247 my doctor told me it has more to do with age then it does genetics.....I wouldn't be too concerned

  Thanks, that's what I figured but I remembered seeing something about family history of downs on one of the papers we did at our first appointment. I assumed I was just over reacting but its good to hear it from someone else.

  If it makes you feel better, my OB told me only immediate family is a cause for concern. I have diabetes, cancer, heart disease in extended family, like greats and second cousins etc. Every time I'd answer a family history question with a more distant relative than sibling, parent, grandparent, cousin, they'd let me know it didn't count for family history.
  

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• m8881 member

  November 2015

  I'm 37 and want to have the testing but I find it all to be a minefield. Going to the Dr Monday so will try to ask my questions but I'm so bad at asking all my questions even if I write them down. Does anyone know of a link that lists out the test options, names they might be called, what they test for and when you can have them?

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• sarahrose42587 member

  November 2015

  TunieBee said:

  I did Panorama with my first and Verifi with this one. I am not over 35 or high risk. I had to pay $200 out of pocket for Panoram and $99 for Verifi, the companies that offer the tests do a good job of off-setting the cost. They both assured me both times if my insurance denied the claim (which they did), I would not be stuck with the cost (and I wasn't).  It's a nerve-wracking wait but worth it in my mind for peace of mind for the rest of the pregnancy. Good luck!

  How long did it take to get your verifi results? I'm on day 9 or waiting and going crazy!

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• jas060515 member

  November 2015 edited November 2015

  I think it varies and its definitely hit or miss as I had the panorama done with my last baby (6months old now) and I got the results in less than a week. Got the blood drawn on Monday and heard from the Dr on Friday. I have to have it done again next week and I am praying that I have the same luck this time around. Waiting for those results is so nerve wrecking!

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• TunieBee member

  November 2015

  sarahrose42587 said:

  TunieBee said:

  I did Panorama with my first and Verifi with this one. I am not over 35 or high risk. I had to pay $200 out of pocket for Panoram and $99 for Verifi, the companies that offer the tests do a good job of off-setting the cost. They both assured me both times if my insurance denied the claim (which they did), I would not be stuck with the cost (and I wasn't).  It's a nerve-wracking wait but worth it in my mind for peace of mind for the rest of the pregnancy. Good luck!

  How long did it take to get your verifi results? I'm on day 9 or waiting and going crazy!

  Exactly one week--Monday to Monday. You may want to call your doc's office. Perhaps they have the results but haven't gotten around to calling yet?

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• kstoneee member

  November 2015

  I didnt do this test. They have a high risk of false positives and if something were wrong with my baby it wouldnt make a difference to me anyways... i would love to find out the gender though lol
  

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• HBamama2B member

  November 2015

  @kstoneee you're in entitled to your opinion, however I disagree with 'high rate' and would have to see your stats as your statement doesn't correspond to prevailing research. A false positive for some categories is 'possible' but 'occurs in less than 1%' of cases which is all the justification needed without exaggeration to say that the test should be used as an indication for further testing such as an NT, amnio, etc. rather than as a basis for termination in and of itself. One of the main functions of the test is to eliminate the need for risky amnios in women where other markers are absent. NIPTs are an incredible improvement to earlier diagnostic tools for high risk pregnancies, but yes, to your main point still not perfect.
  
  I appreciate you sharing what your decision would be, and understand completely where you are coming from... but 'something wrong' indicated a limited understanding of what the test looks for and the wide range outcomes it indicates from healthy to special needs to non-viable. Trust me, it would absolutely make a difference. There are women on this board who have had to make the most difficult decisions of their lives based on the best available medical information. Please show sensitivity to what they've been through.

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• jmohio member

  November 2015

  I think everyone is allowed an opinion on this. This is probably one of the most debated tests out there. I actually have down syndrome twins in my extended family, and have worked with handicapped kids most of my life. My husband and I know no matter the results we will not care, just prepares you. I know people make tough decisions based off the results of this test and I do feel for each one them. But I will not feel sorry for your loss if you terminate because you feel you can not handle a disabled child. Obviously there are cases were it could be harmful to continue and viability issues and I have all the sympathy in the world for those mom's. I know I am probably going to catch a lot of comments from this but again it is just my opinion. God only gives us what we can handle, and if He feels you can handle a special child then you can handle it. Every child I have worked with makes me thank God for the loving parents they have, the smiles on their faces makes me know they are happy.
  
  I actually know someone who was told the baby would more than likely have down syndrome, her little boy is now 2 and is healthy no down syndrome. False positives do happen.

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• kstoneee member

  November 2015

  @HBamama2B my stats came from my OB. There is no need to start a debate about this, because my comment was not insensitive at all. A good friend of mine had the test and was told her child had CF and he is almost 1 and doesnt have it. My comment was not directed toward anyone, i was just sharing my thoughts. And the test is for genetic problems (down syndrome, disability, etc) and no it would NOT make any difference to me if my child was born with a disability. I would love my child and care for my child either way.

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