Suzanelizabeth - HCG levels

Hi!  I haven't been on this board in a LOOOOONG time.  I just happened to notice your post from early November.  Would you believe after weeks of searching, I actually got a person who could definitively answer my questions about the high hcg level?  I met with a genetics counselor - a requirement for my amniocentisis.  I told her about my high hcg levels in early pregnancy and she said there have been studies done which show there is absolutely no correlation between high hcg levels in early pregnancy, and downs syndrome.  She said it's most likely the result of vanishing twin syndrome - meaning, my body got ready to have twins, but only had one baby.  She also suggested I not get the AFP test because since my hcg level was so high in early pregnancy, it will likely skew the results, returning a false positive. I am scheduled for amnio this Friday, but if all looks good on the ultrasound they do first, I'm not getting it.  How about you?  Everything okay with you?  Did you get either AFP or amnio?
Susan

[susanelizabeth]

Hey Suze-ee - good to hear from you!  That's great news.  My dr. also said that hcgs that early don't indicate much of anything and even the early downs screen is at 10-12 weeks, much later than our hcgs were taken.  I didn't get the amnio as I am only 26 yrs old but I did get a level II detailed u/s at 20 weeks and all looked great.  I am very confident things are just fine.  Keep me posted on how things go for you!

[susanelizabeth]

One more thing to add, I also didn't get the AFP test cause I have heard so many negative things about it (false positives etc.)  - I'm glad now I didn't!