Lab Reports Decoded

Double Marker Test Explained: What 1 in 2500 Really Means (Video)

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Read the full written guide: Double Marker Test Report: PAPP-A, Free hCG and Risk Ratios →

We break down the double marker prenatal screening, explaining what the numbers mean and how to read your report. You’ll learn the key takeaways and what steps come next if the result is high-risk. This video is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

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Transcript

Is a 1 in 2500 result really low risk?

Is a 1 in 2500 result really low risk?

Double Marker Test

We’ll break down the double marker test and reveal the one key takeaway at the end.

What the test measures

The test looks at two placenta-derived hormones, PAPP-A and free β-hCG, that change in a predictable way during the first trimester. Labs compare your levels to the median for your exact week.

Low risk example

A low-risk result like 1 in 2500 means roughly one in two-thousand pregnancies with the same numbers might be affected, while the rest are fine.

High risk example

A high-risk figure such as 1 in 90 indicates a higher chance, but still eighty-nine out of ninety pregnancies would be unaffected.

Reading the report

Your report starts with personal details, age, weight, scan date, and whether you’re carrying twins. Then it lists the raw hormone numbers, the MoM values that show how you compare to the median, and finally the background risk based on age.

Screen positive means

Screen positive simply means ‘let’s look closer’, not that something is definitely wrong.

Next steps after high risk

If your risk comes back high, you can choose a non-invasive prenatal test that checks fetal DNA in your blood, or a diagnostic procedure like CVS or amniocentesis, which carry a small miscarriage risk. An anomaly scan is also offered to everyone.

How to prepare

You don’t need to fast, eat and drink as usual. Try to have the NT scan the same day or within a few days, and give the lab your exact weight, IVF details, smoking status and whether you’re carrying twins.

The one thing to remember

The one thing to remember is that the screen gives a probability, not a diagnosis. Follow up with your doctor if you have any concerns or symptoms.

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Read the full guide

Read the complete guide on thecareonline.com. This is general information, not medical advice.

Nothing on The Care Online is medical advice. Traditional practices are described as tradition, not as fact. Take a persistent or serious concern to a qualified professional. See how videos and posts are made on our methodology page.