Quick answer
The Double Marker Test costs ₹2,800 at Live Line Health Care. A first-trimester screening blood test that, combined with the NT scan, estimates the chance of Down syndrome and some other chromosomal conditions. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready within 2 to 3 days.
Also known as: Dual Marker Test, First Trimester Screening, Free Beta hCG and PAPP-A, PAPP-A Test, Combined First Trimester Screen, NT Double Marker, Maternal Serum Screening First Trimester
What is the Double Marker Test?
The double marker test is a blood test offered in the first trimester, between 11 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy. It measures two substances made by the pregnancy, free beta hCG and PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein A). Software then combines these with the nuchal translucency (NT) measurement from your scan, the baby’s crown-rump length, your age and your weight to estimate the chance that the baby has Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18 or trisomy 13.
This is a screening test, not a diagnosis. A "low risk" result does not guarantee the baby is unaffected, and a "high risk" or screen-positive result does not mean the baby has a condition; most women with a screen-positive result go on to have a baby without one. The calculation depends on exact gestational age, so a recent NT scan report is essential, and the sample should be given within the window the scan shows. If the result is above the cut-off, your obstetrician will discuss counselling and further options.
What it measures: Free beta hCG and PAPP-A in the mother’s blood, each expressed as a multiple of the median (MoM) for that week of pregnancy, combined with scan findings to give a risk ratio for trisomy 21, 18 and 13.
Parameters included (4)
- Free Beta hCG (with MoM)
- PAPP-A (with MoM)
- Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) risk
- Trisomy 18 and 13 risk
Why is this test done?
- Routine first-trimester screening offered to pregnant women of any age
- Combining with the NT scan for a more accurate risk estimate than age alone
- Women aged 35 or more, who have a higher background chance of chromosomal conditions
- A previous pregnancy affected by a chromosomal condition, or a family history of one
- Deciding, with the obstetrician, whether further testing is worth considering
When should you get tested?
- You are between 11 and 13 weeks 6 days pregnant and have had, or booked, your NT scan
- Your obstetrician has offered first-trimester screening
- You conceived through IVF and your doctor has asked for this screen with the IVF details
- You would like information early enough to consider further tests if needed
How to prepare for the Double Marker Test
- 1No fasting is needed.
- 2Bring your NT scan report showing the date, crown-rump length (CRL) and NT measurement. The blood test must fall within the 11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days window based on that scan.
- 3Share your date of birth, current weight, the first day of your last period, and whether this is a twin pregnancy. Each one changes the risk calculation.
- 4Tell the staff if you conceived through IVF, especially with a donor egg, or if you have diabetes or smoke, as these are entered into the calculation.
- 5Keep your doctor’s prescription and the scan report together, as the report cannot be calculated correctly without them.
Double Marker Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Free beta hCG | Reported as MoM; about 0.5–2.0 MoM is usual, around 1.0 is the median |
| PAPP-A | Reported as MoM; about 0.5–2.0 MoM is usual, around 1.0 is the median |
| Trisomy 21 risk | Screen negative if the risk is lower than the lab cut-off, commonly 1 in 250 |
| Trisomy 18 and 13 risk | Screen negative if lower than the lab cut-off, which varies by lab |
There is no single normal value. Results are risk estimates, and the cut-off used is printed on your report. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A screen-negative result means the estimated chance is below the cut-off. It lowers but does not remove the possibility of a chromosomal condition, and routine pregnancy care continues.
- A screen-positive result, for example a risk of 1 in 100, means 1 in 100 pregnancies with these results would be affected and 99 would not. Your obstetrician will usually offer genetic counselling and discuss further screening such as cell-free DNA testing, or a diagnostic test such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis.
- In Down syndrome, free beta hCG tends to be higher and PAPP-A lower than usual. In trisomy 18 and 13, both tend to be low. Your doctor reads the overall risk, not single markers.
- A very low PAPP-A on its own, even with a low risk for trisomies, may lead your doctor to monitor the baby’s growth more closely later in pregnancy.
- A wrong gestational age is the most common reason for a misleading result, which is why the scan report and dates matter so much.
Double Marker Test – FAQs
What is the price of the Double Marker Test?
The Double Marker Test costs ₹2,800 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
Is the double marker test a diagnosis of Down syndrome?
No. It is a screening test that estimates a chance, not a diagnosis. Most women with a high-risk result have an unaffected baby, and a low-risk result cannot fully rule out a condition. Only a diagnostic test such as CVS or amniocentesis can confirm or exclude a chromosomal condition.
When should the double marker test be done?
Between 11 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy, ideally on the same day as the NT scan or within a few days of it. Outside this window the calculation is not valid. If you have missed it, your doctor may suggest the triple marker test between 15 and 20 weeks.
Why do I need to bring my NT scan report?
The risk calculation uses the crown-rump length to pin down the exact gestational age and the NT value as a key marker. Marker levels change every week of pregnancy, so a few days’ error in dating can noticeably change the risk. Without the scan report, the result is not reliable.
What happens if my double marker result is high risk?
Your obstetrician will explain the result and usually offer genetic counselling. Options include cell-free DNA screening, which is more accurate but still a screen, or a diagnostic test such as CVS or amniocentesis. The choice is yours to make with your doctor, and there is no need to panic.
Does this test reveal the sex of the baby?
No. Live Line Health Care does not test for or reveal the sex of the baby, and this test is not designed to show it. It only estimates the chance of certain chromosomal conditions to support your pregnancy care.
Is the double marker test accurate for twins or IVF pregnancies?
It can still be done, but the calculation needs adjusting. In twins, the blood markers come from both babies, so the result is less precise and the NT scan carries more weight. For IVF, especially with a donor egg, the egg donor’s age is used. Share these details when you give the sample.
Where can I get the Double Marker Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.