Triple Marker Test

Down Syndrome, Neural Tube Defects, Multiple Pregnancies, Edwards Syndrome, and Ectopic Pregnancy

The Triple Marker Test is one of the tests performed during the prenatal screening period. This is a period in your pregnancy when the doctor asks you to undergo several tests to determine the condition of your pregnancy.

This particular test helps detect any possible pregnancy complication levels of the three hormones. These three hormones that are tested during the Triple Marker Test are:

• AFP or Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) - The foetus produces this hormone. It is essential for this hormone to be present in normal quantities.
• Free Beta hCG or Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) - This hormone is produced by the mother’s placenta and nourishes the foetus. Its too high or too low levels can cause problems.
• Estriol - This hormone is a kind of estrogen produced by both the mother and the child. At abnormal levels, it can lead to health issues like Down Syndrome.

Your healthcare practitioner can interpret the Triple Marker Test results to identify the possibility of developing any pregnancy-related health concerns. Some of these include Down Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome, and Ectopic Pregnancy.

The Triple Marker Test is recommended for pregnant mothers during their 15 weeks and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Healthcare professionals recommend this test to prevent any pregnancy complications and ensure the well-being of the mother and baby.

Other Names of Triple Marker Test

• Triple Test
• Multiple Markers Screening
• Triple Marker Screening
• AFP Plus Test

What Does the Triple Marker Test Help in Detecting? Who is the Test Prescribed For?

The Triple Marker Test means the pregnant woman’s body is being checked for the levels of three important hormones. These hormones can point out the risk of developing any complications at the time of birth or further in pregnancy.

Some of the medical situations in which doctors make use of the Triple Marker Test are

• Down Syndrome: Down Syndrome is a manifestation of abnormal chromosomes in the fetus’ body. Together, the levels of AFP, Free Beta hCG, and Estriol can help determine the possibility of the fetus having the disorder.

• Edwards Syndrome: Edwards Syndrome affects the proper development of the child’s brain and other organs that can show up even after two years of life. This syndrome can even prove to be life-threatening in some cases.

• Ectopic Pregnancy: Ectopic Pregnancy results from the fertilized egg attaching itself to a place that is outside the uterus or womb. This condition mostly leads to a miscarriage because the baby cannot get the right environment (inside the urethra) to grow properly. The levels of Free Beta hCG hormone can be beneficial in the detection of ectopic pregnancies.

The test is prescribed to pregnant women to assess their state of pregnancy and the unborn child’s well-being.

Although it is often hard to develop a normal range of references for Indian mothers, here is a table that you can refer to for interpreting your Triple Marker Test results:

Any deviations from the normal range of reference can indicate the possibility of an abnormal pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, neural tube defects in the fetus, or ectopic pregnancy. However, depending on a few factors (as mentioned in test parameters), your results may not be “normal”. But your pregnancy may still not be abnormal. You should always take your healthcare practitioner’s advice to interpret the Triple Marker Test results as per your body, genes, health conditions, etc.

The Triple Marker Test blood sample is collected from the pregnant mother’s arm and tested for hormones like Beta hCG, AFP, and Estriol.

How Should You Prepare For the Triple Marker Test?

There is not much that needs to be done to prepare yourself for the Triple Marker Test. The blood sample for the test can be collected without you having to fast.

If you are taking any medicines or supplements regularly, you should inform your healthcare professional about them before going for the test. Certain medications and supplements can produce fake test results by causing temporary changes in the levels of these three hormones. So, your doctor may ask you to stop taking specific medicines before the sample is collected.

The procedure involved in going for the blood draw is not very risky and usually is very safe. However, you may see some common minor side effects. These side effects include nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

If you experience these effects, consider asking someone to drive you back home instead of doing it yourself.

You should expect the test results back within 2-4 days, depending on the lab.

Triple Marker Test Parameters

The results of the Triple Marker Test can be affected by several parameters, including

• Weight of the mother
• Age of the pregnant woman (above 35 years)
• Ethnicity of the mother
• Any pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes
• Mother taking regular medications like insulin
• Exposure to high levels of radiation
• Family history of having any genetic disorders

All these factors are capable of causing the Triple Marker Test results to deviate from their normal levels. They can be better understood only with the expertise of your healthcare practitioner.

How Frequently Should You Take the Triple Marker Test?

The Triple Marker Test is only suggested to pregnant women as a part of their prenatal screening. However, sometimes your doctor may also suggest you undergo the Triple Marker Test when you are not pregnant to determine any possible risks later in your pregnancy.

The pricing for a Triple Marker test can vary based on the city and the laboratory. Typically, the cost of a Triple Marker test ranges from INR 899 to INR 2749. Here is a detailed breakdown of the average charges for a Triple Marker test in various major cities across India: