Abnormal AFP result

So today my peri told me that my AFP results indicate a higher risk for downs. I know that there is some variability with these tests but, nonetheless, it makes me a bit nervous. I am just wondering if any of you have had this experience and what ended up happening. I;ve chosen not to have an amnio due to the risks and the fact that I wouldn't terminate the pregnancy no matter what the results. I would love to hear your stories Thanks,
Heather

 

If I remember correctly, the incidence of false positives on the AFP is fairly high and even higher for those carrying multiples. Do you remember what he said the risk is? Usually it's a 1 in xxxxx figure. We chose to skip the prenatal testing for genetic issues with our twin pg due to the potential for false positives.

I'm sure it's worrisome for you and I hope everything turns out to be ok. One nice thing with all of those u/s is that they can look for markers on the u/s for Down's. There are several physical traits they can watch for. I would ask the u/s tech about it.

 

I did an early screen at 13 weeks that showed my chance of downs was soooo low for both babies and then did the afp at 16 weeks which showed a high indication for downs. I blew it off because the AFP is known for false positives and was truly designed for spinal bifida not downs. I have had numerous friends who spent their entire pregnancies thinking their baby had downs only to have a baby that was perfectly healthy. I also have had friends do the amnio to get the same results that all was well. I am sure it will be fine

 

I did the AFP before knowing I was having twins and my levels were off for spina bifida. I was sent for a Level II u/s and it was discovered there were two babies thus my twice the normal level readings. I was completely within normal range for twins. Was your test examined based on the criteria for multiples?

Like I mentioned, having a Level II u/s was the next step for me once my AFP came back not in normal range. This level of u/s can detect other potential markers and can provide more information without being invasive at all. If an amnio was the only option suggested to you but you would like more information then I would contact your doc and discuss the possibility of a level II. They might not have the appropriate machines in your docs office but they should be able to recommend a place that does, it was because of my AFP results that my OB sent me to a Peri.

 

I'm a nurse and wanted to refuse my AFP test. I know so many people that had false positives and spent quite a bit of their pregnancy worring for nothing. But I've also seen the opposite... woman that had a negative AFP and delivered babies with downs (happens much much less than the false positives.)

I was going to refuse my AFP, but they talked me into it. I said I would get it if my ultrasound showed any signs of downs what-so-ever. They agreed.... well we found out at the ultrasound that I was having twins and they refused to give me the AFP (not that I would have done it anyways.) My office doesn't do AFP on multiples. SO as easy as it is for me to say, don't worry about it. Ask for a level II ultrasound for reassurance.

 

My ob wouldn't give me the afp test on account that I am having twins. She said that the false positive rate was high already, and even higher with twins. She said if anything abnormal showed up on the u/s (which it didn't), she would recommend an amnio.

 

Well, I lost a triplet during the first trimester. My OB "forgot" about that, had me do the AFP, and then when it came back super abnormal reminded me of the reason - the triplet tissue. We went through the genetic counseling and Level II u/s. The genetic counselor was nice and threw a bunch of numbers out at us, but honestly, I didn't believe any of it since we had clouded results. We decided that if the u/s showed something abnormal, we'd consider an amnio, but didn't discuss anything beyond that. The u/s looked fine and we took our lovely pictures home and moved on.

 

We had an abnormally high reading for AFP and were told it could be SpinaBifida(sp) or twins. We were than setup to have an u/s about 2weeks later and also Genetic councelling after the u/s. Thankfully they found that I was carrying the twins and they than refigured the totals and it worked out to be a normal level. But in my research on the whole thing there are so many factors that can cause false positives and abnormally high readings.

 

My peri said there is a high incidence of error with AFP's for multiple pregnancies, and recommended that I not do it. I also chose not to have an amnio.

 

My friend just went through this with a singleton pregnancy. The problem is that the range of normal and abnormal overlap so if you've been given odds that are 1:125 or something like that, then you may well be in that range where it could be normal or not. The next step for her was an ultrasound to look for the physical markers. After finding none of the markers, she decided not to have an amnio. She's not due until September so I can't yet say that everything was fine but I suspect that it is.

Try not to worry -- the rate of false positives is quite high.

 

I have read that the AFP test often gives a false positive with multiples. However, I went to my doctor last week and he asked if I wanted the test. I asked his opinion and he said it is recommended. I asked him about the chances of a positive result with twins and he said basically they use the blood test to give a heads up for the possibility, and then use an ultrasound as more of a diagnostic tool at that point. I opted to have the test, but i am not sure if it was a good idea... I also would not terminate the pregnancy regardless of the results.... Try to keep a positive state of mind and request an ultrasound to further diagnose this possiblity. Although I wouldn't terminate the pregnancy, It would be helpful to prepare for any special needs that might arise I suppose. Good Luck! My thoughts are with you!

 

Yes, I did and DH and I had to go to genetics counseling also. I opted out of the amnio and instead had a Level II U/S. I already m/c'd the year before (also twins but early in the first trimester) and didn't want to go that route. I did know the sex of my babies at the time and my OB said I could take the AFP but it will probably come out abnormal so don't be alarmed....I was having two boys, it was twins and these factors alone will produce a higher maternal serum causing the test to come out abnormal. Well it did and I fiqured I was going to be having many U/S and that was fine with me, proof enough my babies were fine. I did lots of searches on AFP coming out abnormal at the time and there was a chart with reasons for it coming back abnormal and I had most of the factors. Don't worry, I would of never have taken it but I thought I should. GL!

 

I did not have an AFP but our routine 20-week ultrasound revealed markers for Downs. I would not terminate the pregnancy no matter what, but we got a more advanced ultrasound, which confirmed the initial ultrasound findings. Then I had an amnio on both sacs just to know one way or the other what we were facing. Thankfully the results were negative. After sharing my experience with others it's incredible the number of false positives that occur with these tests and U/S's. Good luck to you. :hug99: