Combined test/first trimester screen - how long for results?

[Pandora]

Apologies in advance for all of the questions!

Other than knowing sooner is not alwasy better, how long does it take to get these results, and is it a case of if your arent high risk, they wont tell you anything unless you ask?

I had my BT done at a path lab (gribbles) and my u/s at the hospital. From my understanding, in Vic, the BT results are sent somewhere central - how are these matched up againse the ulstrasound results?

Will someone call me, or do I need to follow it up myself? My GP ordered the tests, however he is not my pregnancy care provider, so I need to get the results to take with me to my next appt. (They have been copied to my hospital, but Im supposed to take my copies with me).

Will my ultrasound report only show the risk based on age and nuchal fold, or will it have the combined result on it?

[OceanPrincess]

Hey there,

No dramas about the questions! I'll help where I can...

You are correct, the BT results are sent somewhere central. I had mine done at a Melbourne Pathology place and my u/s was done at a clinic at St Vincent's.

Our results were not good - our NF measurement was so high that the Dr who performed the u/s began discussing options with us straight away. He did want to wait for the BT results to be combined so that he could get the full picture, so he went away and rang somewhere (I'm guessing Melbourne Pathology) to get the results, then did the calculations to obtain the combined risk factor.

So we knew straight away what our NF measurement was and then what our combined risk factor was.

I would think though that if everything is ok, the u/s place and the BT place send the results to your caregiver who discuss them with you if required. I'm pretty sure that is what happened to my sister. She didn't even know what her NF measurement was because it was so tiny she didn't even notice it and they didn't need to discuss it.

I'd suggest calling your caregiver (is it the hospital?) to ask them exactly what you need to do. They should be able to clear it up for you.

We had an emergency appointment with my Obs a few days after the scan and she had all the results already - the u/s place sent in the u/s and the combined rating and the path lab sent in the BT results. So we didn't have to ask for copies of anything - this sounds a little strange to me but it might be different to you given your GP ordered the tests but you won't be discussing them with him/her.

Hope I have helped!

[Pandora]

Yeh its a bit complicated. The hospital I am going to does not do the 12 weeks scan, so I had to go to a different hospital for that one.
My GP does shared care obstetrics, but Im not seeing him for my pg care, so he can discuss it with me, but i still need to take them with me elsewhere. I might just give them a call, I had the scan last Friday, and see if they have the results or not.

[Karina]

I had my scan on a saturday, recieved my results from the measurement straight away. Straight after my scan, I went downstairs to have the blood test. They sent me a letter in the mail with my results. I got the letter on the tuesday or wednesday after the scan, so only a few days.

I hope you dont have to wait too long!

[briggsy's girl]

rayray - GP told me to have the bloods on the day of referral (10w1d) cos it could take a couple of weeks to get the info back depending on how busy it is. he then said to have scan at 12weeks ish and results should be available within days...

[melsa31]

It happened for me as for briggsy's girl. I had the blood test around ten weeks and didn't hear anything, then went for the u/s at 12 weeks and they combined results and told us there and then.
When I went to see my OB next he confirmed what we'd already been told. I didn't have to get copies as they asked me when I had the blood test where I was going for the u/s and sent the results straight to them. Maybe it's different in each state?

[Pandora]

ok. I got my u/s results yesterday, but they are only based on the u/s and background risk, they have not been combined with the blood test results. This is ridiculous, i rang but noone seems to be able to tell me where i can get this information

[sloane]

that seems really strange rayray - sorry to hear you're having such extra & unnecessary stress

i have my u/s on 19 dec. as i understand it, if i have been to the hospital by then i can use them to get the BT & they will submit the results to the central place (if i haven't been to the hospital my GP is going to give me a referral). i then go to the u/s place (which is diff from the hosp) & when i booked the appt yesterday they explained that after they do the u/s they fax the results to the central place that has the B/T results & then they can usually provide a result within an hour.

i believe the results also get sent to my GP. did you try gribbles to see if they submitted the BT results? or did you get the flyer from your GP (mine was pink, A5 size, 4 pages) that tells you about the combined test & gives a central phone number? that's if you're in vic. i'd look at mine but i took it out of my bag this morning

[Pandora]

Hi, Yep I am in Melbourne.
I will ring again today and see whether I can get on to my GP about finding out what this central number is to ring - no one told me about it.

[HotI]

Hi

The lab in Victoria that does the maternal serum screening is at the Royal Children's Hospital.

MATERNAL SERUM SCREENING
Genetic Health Services Victoria
Royal Children’s Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville, Victoria 3052
Telephone (03) 8341 6356 or 8341 6357

Here is a link to the brochure from their website:
http://www.vcgspathology.com.au/down...rScreening.pdf

This is what they say on the brochure about how you will get your results:

How do I get my result?
Once the ultrasonographer has completed the ultrasound the measurements are faxed
to the MSS laboratory. The information from the blood test is combined with the
ultrasound measurements and the final result sent back to the ultrasonographer. A
copy of the result will also be forwarded to your referring doctor.

It is possible that the results are still on their way to you, but the info might give you a few people that you can check up with (ultrasonographer / referring doctor).

take care,

kate

[Pandora]

thanks, I rang my GP again who confirmed the results I have are only from my u/s and he has not recieved the combined test results as yet.
Seeing as I had the bt almost 4 weeks ago now, and the ultrasound was last friday, I'm betting that the hospital did not send my u/s measurements in to the Childrens at all. I might ring them and see if they can tell me whther they've recieved my u/s results or not?

[HotI]

Yep, give them a ring.

It sucks when 'professionals' don't do their job properly.

[SareBear]

RayRay, I know how you feel. I was told to make an appointment with my GP that ordered the scan and blood test for a week after the scan. So I did, but he didn't have the combined result. Everything looks good though so I'm not too concerned, but I'd still like to know.

I have, however, received a bill from the pathology people! We didn't find out how much the scan cost until we got there, and had no idea that the blood test cost aswell... Maybe they're waiting till I pay them...

[Pandora]

maybe. my BTs were all bulk billed, and i would hope if I was going to get a bill for them Iwould have recieved it by now? lol

[briggsy's girl]

rayray - i had tests done through gribbles last year - five weeks later i got a bill! pathetic!

[HotI]

I might ring them and see if they can tell me whther they've recieved my u/s results or not?

How did you go?

[Pandora]

havnt called yet, Im at work and only 2 people here know. As it is they think i am applying for jobs cos i have to go in to meeting rooms to make pg related calls on my mobile. its funny

[Pandora]

okay, last night i got my invoice for $100+ OOP costs for the blood test analysis, so hopefully I should have the results sometime soon. They dont invoice you until they get your u/s results..I might ring at the end of next week (GP) and see if they have them.