Chromosomal Analysis
When navigating challenges like recurrent miscarriages, facing unsuccessful IVF treatments, or planning for pre-implantation genetic testing, understanding your genetic makeup can offer valuable insights.
We recommend a Karyotype Test to provide a clear picture of your chromosomes, combined with a qualified medical opinion to guide you.
What is a Karyotype Test?
A Karyotype Test is a special look at the chromosomes within your cells, allowing us to see whether you have the complete set of 46 chromosomes. These tiny structures carry all our genetic information, and having too many or too few chromosomes, or structural changes within them, can sometimes be linked to challenges with health, growth, or normal development.
Sometimes, a small part of one chromosome might gently detach and reattach to another chromosome. When this happens, even though your total set of genetic material (DNA) is complete, meaning it doesn’t usually cause any physical symptoms in the parent, it can affect future pregnancies. If there are these subtle “rearrangement problems” with the DNA, the egg or sperm might end up either missing a part of a chromosome or carrying an extra part. This can mean that the resulting embryo may not be chromosomally normal, which can sometimes lead to the embryo not implanting successfully or the pregnancy ending in a miscarriage.
We recommend a Karyotype Test to provide a clear picture of your chromosomes, combined with a qualified medical opinion to guide you.
What is a Karyotype Test?
A Karyotype Test is a special look at the chromosomes within your cells, allowing us to see whether you have the complete set of 46 chromosomes. These tiny structures carry all our genetic information, and having too many or too few chromosomes, or structural changes within them, can sometimes be linked to challenges with health, growth, or normal development.
Sometimes, a small part of one chromosome might gently detach and reattach to another chromosome. When this happens, even though your total set of genetic material (DNA) is complete, meaning it doesn’t usually cause any physical symptoms in the parent, it can affect future pregnancies. If there are these subtle “rearrangement problems” with the DNA, the egg or sperm might end up either missing a part of a chromosome or carrying an extra part. This can mean that the resulting embryo may not be chromosomally normal, which can sometimes lead to the embryo not implanting successfully or the pregnancy ending in a miscarriage.
How Karyotype Testing can help
If this type of chromosomal rearrangement problem is diagnosed beforehand, it allows us to offer a more targeted approach. We can then test for this specific issue in any embryos created (through a process called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) for chromosomal rearrangement). This means we can carefully select only chromosomally normal embryos for transfer, significantly decreasing the risk of miscarriage and offering a more hopeful path forward.
Receiving your results and next steps
We will perform the chromosome analysis, meticulously scanning for any abnormalities with your chromosomes. You can expect to receive your results within up to 21 working days. Once ready, your results will be thoroughly reviewed by our specialist, who will then discuss them with you and explore any possible treatment options or next steps that might be required for your unique journey.