Quick answer
The Triple Marker Test costs ₹2,800 at Live Line Health Care. A second-trimester screening blood test that estimates the chance of Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects when first-trimester screening was missed. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready within 2 to 3 days.
Also known as: Triple Screen, Triple Test, Second Trimester Screening, AFP hCG uE3, Maternal Serum Triple Screen, MSAFP Triple Marker
What is the Triple Marker Test?
The triple marker test is a second-trimester screening blood test, usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. It measures three substances that pass from the pregnancy into the mother’s blood: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), made by the baby’s liver; hCG, made by the placenta; and unconjugated estriol (uE3), made jointly by the baby and placenta. These are combined with your age, weight and exact gestational age to estimate the chance of Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and an open neural tube defect such as spina bifida.
It is mostly used when the first-trimester window for the double marker and NT scan has been missed, or alongside it to check AFP for neural tube defects. Like every screen, it only gives a chance, not an answer, and it picks up fewer cases of Down syndrome than first-trimester combined screening, around 65 to 70 percent. The result depends heavily on the gestational age entered, so a recent scan report with the baby’s measurements is needed, and a screen-positive result should lead to a discussion with your obstetrician rather than a conclusion.
What it measures: AFP, hCG and unconjugated estriol in the mother’s blood, each expressed as a multiple of the median (MoM) for that week of pregnancy, converted into risk ratios for trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects.
Parameters included (6)
- Alpha-Fetoprotein, AFP (with MoM)
- hCG (with MoM)
- Unconjugated Estriol, uE3 (with MoM)
- Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) risk
- Trisomy 18 risk
- Open neural tube defect risk
Why is this test done?
- Screening when the first-trimester window of 11 to 13 weeks 6 days was missed
- Estimating the chance of an open neural tube defect through AFP
- Women aged 35 or more, or with a family history of chromosomal conditions
- Booking pregnancy care for the first time after 14 weeks
- Deciding with the obstetrician whether further testing is needed
When should you get tested?
- You are between 15 and 20 weeks pregnant and did not have first-trimester screening
- Your obstetrician has asked for second-trimester maternal serum screening
- You have a family history of spina bifida or a similar condition
- You have a recent scan report confirming your dates
How to prepare for the Triple Marker Test
- 1No fasting is needed.
- 2Bring a recent scan report showing the baby’s measurements, such as the biparietal diameter (BPD), or an earlier dating scan. The calculation needs exact gestational age in weeks and days.
- 3Share your date of birth, current weight, number of babies, and whether you have diabetes treated with insulin or smoke, as all of these are entered.
- 4Tell the staff if you conceived through IVF, and if so whether a donor egg was used.
Triple Marker Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| AFP, hCG and uE3 | Each reported as MoM; about 0.5–2.0 MoM is usual, around 1.0 is the median |
| Open neural tube defect | AFP above about 2.0–2.5 MoM is usually flagged for review |
| Trisomy 21 risk | Screen negative if the risk is lower than the lab cut-off, commonly 1 in 250 |
| Trisomy 18 risk | Screen negative if lower than the lab cut-off, which varies by lab |
Results are risk estimates rather than normal values. The cut-off used by the lab is printed on the 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. Routine care continues, but no screening test can rule out every condition.
- In Down syndrome, AFP and uE3 tend to be low and hCG high. In trisomy 18, all three tend to be low. Your obstetrician reads the combined risk, not individual markers.
- A high AFP can point to an open neural tube defect, but more often it is due to wrong dates, twins or a placental cause. A detailed anomaly scan is usually the next step.
- A screen-positive result for trisomies leads to counselling, with options such as cell-free DNA screening or amniocentesis. It does not mean the baby is affected.
Triple Marker Test – FAQs
What is the price of the Triple Marker Test?
The Triple Marker Test costs ₹2,800 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
What is the difference between the double marker and triple marker tests?
The double marker is done at 11 to 13 weeks 6 days with the NT scan and measures two markers. The triple marker is done at 15 to 20 weeks and measures three, including AFP for neural tube defects. First-trimester combined screening detects more Down syndrome cases, so the triple marker mainly serves women who missed it.
Is the triple marker test a diagnosis?
No. It is a screening test that estimates a chance. Many women with a screen-positive result have an unaffected baby, and a screen-negative result does not rule out every condition. A diagnostic test, such as amniocentesis, is needed to confirm or exclude a chromosomal condition.
What is the best week to do the triple marker test?
It is valid from 15 weeks to about 20 weeks of pregnancy, and many obstetricians prefer 16 to 18 weeks. The exact week matters less than knowing your gestational age accurately, because the markers change every week. Bring your scan report so the calculation uses correct dates.
What does a high AFP in the triple marker mean?
A raised AFP can suggest an open neural tube defect, but more common reasons are a pregnancy further along than thought, twins, or placental factors. Your doctor will usually arrange a detailed anomaly scan to look at the baby’s spine and head before drawing any conclusion.
Does the triple marker test show the sex of the baby?
No. Live Line Health Care does not test for or reveal the sex of the baby, and this screening test does not show it. Its only purpose is to estimate the chance of certain chromosomal conditions and neural tube defects to support your pregnancy care.
Why does my weight matter for the triple marker test?
Marker levels are diluted in a larger blood volume, so heavier women tend to have lower values. The software adjusts each marker for weight before calculating the risk. An incorrect weight can shift the result, so give your current weight on the day of the test.
Where can I get the Triple 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.