Finding the right tests…
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Finding the right tests…
Hormonal
The Dual Marker test measures two proteins in a pregnant woman's blood, PAPP-A and free beta-hCG, usually between the 10th and 13th week of pregnancy. Combined with a nuchal translucency ultrasound and your age, the results place your pregnancy into a lower- or higher-chance category for Down syndrome. It is a screening test, not a diagnosis: a higher-chance result means your doctor may suggest further testing, not that your baby has the condition. Timing matters, since PAPP-A and free beta-hCG are only meaningful for this purpose within the first-trimester window they're designed for.
This test measures pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (free beta-hCG) in a blood sample. In a pregnancy affected by Down syndrome, PAPP-A tends to run lower than expected for the gestational age, while free beta-hCG tends to run higher. The lab combines these two values with your age and the nuchal translucency measurement from your ultrasound to calculate a chance, not a yes-or-no answer.
The Dual Marker test is part of first-trimester combined screening for Down syndrome (trisomy 21). It's done as a blood test alongside a nuchal translucency ultrasound, which measures the fluid space at the back of your baby's neck.
- PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A): a protein made by the placenta. Lower-than-expected levels are linked to a higher chance of Down syndrome. - Free beta-hCG: part of the pregnancy hormone hCG. Higher-than-expected levels are linked to a higher chance of Down syndrome.
Your lab combines both values with your age and the nuchal translucency measurement to produce a single risk figure, such as 1 in 500 or 1 in 20.
This test cannot tell you whether your baby has Down syndrome. It estimates a chance. A higher-chance result means your doctor may talk to you about further testing, such as NIPT, CVS, or amniocentesis, to get a more definite answer. A lower-chance result lowers the likelihood but doesn't rule out the condition completely.
The Dual Marker only works within a set window, generally between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. Ask your doctor or the centre to confirm the right week for your blood draw and any preparation needed.
No. It means the calculated chance is higher than average, not that your baby has the condition. Your doctor will likely suggest a follow-up test, such as NIPT or a diagnostic procedure, to get a clearer answer.
It's typically done between the 10th and 13th week of pregnancy, alongside a nuchal translucency ultrasound. Ask your doctor or the centre to confirm the exact window for your dates, since timing affects how the result is interpreted.
Fasting requirements can vary, so check with your doctor or the centre when you book. It is generally a standard blood draw with no special preparation.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
A low-chance result means Down syndrome is less likely, but it does not completely rule it out. Your doctor will still track your pregnancy with routine scans and checkups as usual.
No, it's an optional screening test that your doctor may recommend based on your age, history, and preference. Discuss the benefits and limits with your doctor before deciding.
The Dual Marker is a blood test combined with an ultrasound measurement, done early in the first trimester, and it gives a chance estimate. NIPT analyses fetal DNA in your blood and is more accurate, but it's a separate, usually costlier test your doctor may suggest if the Dual Marker shows a higher chance.
Like all screening tests, it can give false-positive or false-negative results, such as a higher-chance flag with a healthy baby, or a lower-chance result even when a condition is present. That's why it's paired with ultrasound findings and followed by diagnostic testing when needed.