Genetic testing

Dh and I plan to start TTC early next year. I am 36 and my Dad's family is Ashkenazi. My gyn ordered a bunch of tests and it turns out they had to take 25 tubes of blood. Some of the tubes were small but I was not prepared for so much blood to be drawn. The phlebotomist actually called me an hour later to make sure I was feeling OK. Figured I would share in case someone is in a similar situation...bring some juice and a snack.

Re: Genetic testing

My husband and I both did the genetic testing (we are both of ashkenazi descent) and neither of us were carriers for anything. Remember, both people would need to be carriers for a disease in order for there to be a possibilily of a child getting the disease. It was actually my RE's office that took the blood for the screening. They just did it as part of the inital workup at our consult.

The lesson I learned the hard way was that my insurance did not cover the genetic screening (well, i had like a $1000 lifetime max) so i ended up paying like $4000 between myself and my husband. If i had known that, i would not have allowed them to test my husband since if i was negative for everything we would be fine.

The tubes of blood you had collected is definitely excessive. I had maybe 6 vials of blood taken and that included a bunch of other tests. All the genetic website say between 1-3 vials of blood for the jewish screening panel.




Emory Genetics Website

Genetic testing

I had the blood drawn at Enzo clinical labs and they actually called the main lab to check. Each test on the "Jewish panel" required two tubes of blood each was small maybe 2 cc's. They also tested for a few other diseases based on my age and my mother's background. Additionally, I had my hormone levels checked and some basic blood work. I called my doctor's office today and was told that the number of vials sounds right for the tests that I had. Wish I was told before going.

My DH is not getting tested unless I am a carrier for something. It stinks that your insurance did not cover the testing. I think most of my tests will be covered but either way I would get the testing done.