What is Triple Marker Screen Test: Purpose, Reading & Benefits Explained

Becoming parents is never easy, and pregnancy brings several responsibilities and expectations. A triple marker screen test allows you to check if an unborn baby might have specific potential genetic abnormalities.

Are you a parent-to-be and curious to know more about a triple marker test? In this article, we will give you a clearer idea of the purpose and benefits of this test.

A triple marker test is used in the healthcare sector to analyse if your unborn baby is prone to having certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, spina bifida, or anencephaly. Doctors use this test to mainly indicate any abnormalities in an unborn baby without diagnosing the exact problem.

The purpose of a triple marker test in pregnancy is to screen the development of a baby inside the womb and check for any possibilities of neural tube defects. The test uses the following three substances for generating the results.

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): It is a protein that the foetus produces. If high levels of this particular protein is present in your blood, it might indicate potential congenital disabilities, including neural tube defects.
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG): This is a hormone that the placenta produces. Low levels of this hormone in your blood indicate potential pregnancy issues, including possibilities of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. High levels indicate chances of molar pregnancy or multiple pregnancies.
• Estriol: It is an oestrogen coming from both the foetus and the placenta. Low levels of this in the mother’s blood might indicate possible defects in the unborn baby, such as Down syndrome.

Some of the standard benefits of a triple marker screen test are as follows.

• It helps to detect congenital disabilities in the early stages.
• You can identify the possibilities of severe health hazards for your unborn baby.
• The test also detects if a woman is expecting two or more babies.
• It can diagnose possibilities of other pregnancy complications, making it easier for the doctor to treat.

To complete the procedure of the triple marker test, doctors take your blood sample to measure the levels of AFP, HCG, and Estriol in it. First, the doctors or technicians draw blood from your vein by inserting a needle. Then, they collect the blood in a small test tube and send it to the lab. Are you wondering in which month to take a triple marker test? Usually, women about 15-20 weeks pregnant can take this test.

Usually, this test will be beneficial for mothers meeting the following conditions.

• Over the age of 35 years or more
• Having a family history of genetic defects
• Suffering from diabetes and use insulin
• Have been through high levels of radiation therapy before
• Suffering from viral infection during pregnancy

No preparation is required for a triple marker test. Also, there are no drinking or eating requirements before taking the test.

If you receive negative indicators on your triple marker test, you will have to make some immediate decisions for moving forward. Thus, this is probably the right time to see a doctor and take professional advice. While such a result can be concerning, there is still room for investigation and diagnosis. 

If the results are positive, your doctor might ask you to go for an amniocentesis test. For this, they will extract an amniotic fluid sample from your uterus to detect the possibilities of fetal infections. If this test shows high levels of AFP presence, they will ask for detailed ultrasonography to check the fetal skull and spine for neural tube defects.

Thus, it is evident that a triple marker test can be vital for parents to know about the health hazards of their unborn child. These tests can only detect the likelihood of such defects, but there are chances of inaccurate results. Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor and arrange for further diagnosis instead of unnecessarily worrying about positive results.