triple screen test?

I am wondering about the triple screen test. Everything I read about it, says it is hard to read for twins. Did you all have this? What week? If the chances are higher of having a false positive, who had to have a amnio? I'm just a little nervous about it. I worry about everything, you wouldn't think this was my 3rd preg.

 

I did it, I think around week 16 initially but they lost my blood so I had to do it again. I know the results came in at week 19 because it was those abnormal results that we found out we were having twins. There is a different criteria for multiples if multiples are known prior to the test. Like I said, my numbers came back extremely high for a singleton so we were rushed in for a Level II u/s. Well, everything was fine, my levels were double what they 'should' have been because I was double pregnant ! I believe the first step would be a Level II u/s then maybe an amnio would be discussed if believed necessary but the u/s really should be the next step and can provide alot of insight of any potential problems.

 

I elected not to have it done. Actually, I've never done it with any pregnancy, but like you said it's more likely to come back "abnormal" with twins. I just didn't want any unnecessary worry. Also, I figured with all the U/S in a twin preg, any abnormalities would be spotted that way.

Had I wanted it done, my doc would have around 16 weeks.

Jen

 

I get confused about which test is which since there are a few that can be done. Anyway, I've never had any of those blood tests done, even with my singleton. It's true that there can be more false positives with a multiple pregnancy. Some doctors, if it's positive, push for an amnio...but it't not like you would be FORCED to have it. There are very slight risks with having an amnio, but even as slight as they are we would not have that done. I think it depends on what you would do with the information. Legally, doctors have to offer all these things because 'legally' you could terminate the pregnancy up to a certain point. That's something we would never do either. At our 12 week ultrasound they did measure the Nuchal Translucency at the back of our girls necks, but it came back normal. If abnormal, that can be a marker for things, but we didn't have the blood test that went with that. There have been stories of other ladies here who have abnormal results...they end up worrying over nothing usually. Don't let your doctor or anyone else make you think certain tests are "normal" and "everyone does them" because it's really up to you. And if you decide to have them done, that's fine too.

 

Test results are highly dependent on accurate dating of the pregnancy and knowing if it's a single or multiple gestation. So, I think if you had an early ultrasound, you're going to have better luck getting accurate results from the test.

When I had the quad screen done (same as triple but they check one other level), the doctor wrote in several places on the paperwork "TWINS" and told me that there are different expectations for the levels with twins than a singleton and she didn't want anyone to misinterpret the numbers and scare me unnecessarily. I also had an early ultrasound and was confident in the dating of the pregnancy. My results came back normal.

My friend just went though abnormal test results with a quad screen. Her results came back with a higher than expected chance for Downs (1 in 124). The next step was a level II ultrasound where they specifically looked for markers for Downs. Finding none of the markers, she opted not to have an amnio -- it was offered but not pushed. They told her that her odds are now more like 1 in 250 with the ultrasound results but that they cannot rule it out.

You can find some really good information online and I'd encourage you to do some reading about how the test works.

 

I had the triple screen done at 12 weeks. It came back with an extremely low risk, however they kept finding "soft markers" on one baby that indicated Downs. Since the triple screen is so inaccurate for twins we chose to have an amnio done on both babies. The results were normal.

 

Thanks everyone for the response. I did it with my 1st and not with my 2nd. I am 33 and thought my risk seemed increased. I called OB after post and asked for it actually, they never mentioned it with this preg. They said the same thing, different levels for twins. So they make sure it is clear to lab there are 2. I have had u/s evey visit so far, so I'm sure of date. Plus, know when I conceived.

I have u/s scheduled for 1 wk after test which is how long they expect results to take. So, if I do have false positive, I'm already scheduled for u/s.

 

I had the quad screening done at 16 weeks -- we knew it was twins, so it was measued against "twin" values - and everything came back normal. There are (for twins and otherwise) many many false positives. One of the things you have to remember as well is a large part of the "odds" they will give you are related to your age, and not even the levels of hormones ect. they are testing. I think it all depends on 1) what you would do with the results and 2) which will drive you more crazy -- the possiblity of a false positive - or not "knowing" -- for me...i just had to "know"

Good luck with you decision!