Triple Marker — Second Trimester (14–22 Weeks) Test in Guwahati
The Triple Marker test (also called the second-trimester maternal serum screening) is a non-invasive blood test performed between 14 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. It measures three important maternal serum markers — AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein), hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and unconjugated estriol (uE3) — and helps assess the risk of neural tube defects (like spina bifida) and certain chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down syndrome). Aarogyam Center provides convenient home collection across Guwahati and fast laboratory processing through Thyrocare to help expectant parents get reliable screening results quickly.
- AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein) — raised in open neural tube defects; low in some chromosomal abnormalities.
- hCG (free or total) — marker that changes with placental function and chromosomal anomalies.
- Unconjugated Estriol (uE3) — a fetal-placental hormone; altered levels can indicate risk.
- Optional Risk Calculation — results are combined with maternal age, gestational age and weight to estimate risk; some labs return MoM (multiples of the median) values.
- Pregnant women between 14 and 22 weeks of gestation as part of routine antenatal care.
- Women whose first-trimester screening was inconclusive, or who did not have first-trimester screening.
- Pregnancies with increased maternal age or other risk factors where additional screening is advised.
- As recommended by the obstetrician; the Triple Marker is a screening — not diagnostic — test.
- Non-invasive and safe — requires only a maternal blood sample.
- Helps identify pregnancies at higher risk so further diagnostic testing (like targeted ultrasound or amniocentesis) can be offered.
- Convenient — available with home collection in Guwahati and quick turnaround from partnering labs.
- No special preparation is usually required — fasting is not necessary.
- Ensure you know the accurate gestational age (weeks + days) — dating by ultrasound is most reliable and is used in risk calculation.
- Bring or inform the collector of your date of birth, current weight, and precise gestational age (or last menstrual period) — these are used in reporting.
- If you have had multiple pregnancies, carry records — multiple gestations affect interpretation.
- Sample: Maternal venous blood (single tube).
- Report Time: Usually 24–48 hours; some risk calculations may be returned the same day depending on lab workflow.
Triple Marker screening provides an estimated risk, not a definitive diagnosis. Results are often reported as:
- MoM (Multiples of the Median) values for each analyte.
- Combined risk estimate for specific conditions (e.g., risk of Down syndrome expressed as 1 in X).
A high-risk screen should prompt further evaluation — targeted ultrasound for anatomic anomalies, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), or diagnostic tests like amniocentesis. Low-risk does not guarantee absence of all conditions.
Aarogyam Center offers home collection throughout Guwahati including Paltan Bazaar, Dispur, Bhangagarh, Ganeshguri, Basistha, Jalukbari, Maligaon and surrounding suburbs. Many obstetricians and prenatal clinics in Guwahati accept and interpret Triple Marker reports from Thyrocare laboratories. For same-day or early morning slots, call early to secure a convenient collection time.
- Accurate gestational dating is essential — ensure a reliable ultrasound date when possible.
- Certain factors (maternal weight, diabetes, twin pregnancy, assisted reproduction) can affect results — always inform the collector and reporting lab of such factors.
- Smoking, recent blood transfusion, or fetal demise can alter analyte levels; disclose relevant history.
