If your doctor has suggested PGT-M, it means there is a specific genetic condition or genetic finding that may be relevant to your IVF treatment, and embryo testing is one option they would like to discuss with you.
PGT-M is carried out as part of IVF and looks for a particular genetic condition in embryos before an embryo is considered for transfer. It is not something that is routinely recommended for everyone having IVF.
Hearing that an additional form of testing may be considered can bring up a lot of questions. Your fertility and genetics teams should explain why PGT-M has been suggested in your particular case, what information it may provide and its limitations before you decide whether you would like it to form part of your treatment.
PGT-M stands for preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions. It is a type of embryo testing used when doctors are looking for a specific condition caused by a change in a single gene.
During IVF, a small number of cells can be taken from an embryo and tested for the particular genetic condition being investigated.
Unlike broader genetic screening, PGT-M is focused on a specific known genetic condition relevant to the patient or family.
You may see both terms when researching embryo testing. PGD, or preimplantation genetic diagnosis, is an older term, while PGT-M is now used when referring specifically to preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions.
This can be confusing if an older medical report or previous fertility consultation uses the term PGD.
If you are unsure which type of genetic testing has been suggested as part of your IVF treatment, your fertility team can explain what the terminology means in your case.
PGT-M may be discussed when there is a known genetic condition that could be passed on to a child. This may be because you or your partner has a genetic condition, genetic testing has identified a relevant genetic change, or a condition is known to run in your family.
Whether PGT-M is relevant depends on the specific condition and your individual circumstances. Having a genetic condition in the family does not automatically mean that PGT-M will form part of your IVF treatment.
If it has been suggested to you, the important question is why it is being considered in your particular case and what the testing may be able to tell you.
Although both involve testing embryos during IVF, PGT-M and PGT-A look for different things.
PGT-M is used to look for a specific single-gene condition that is already known to be relevant.
PGT-A, on the other hand, looks at whether an embryo has the expected number of chromosomes. It is not designed to diagnose the specific inherited condition that PGT-M is looking for.
If you have heard both terms during your IVF treatment, your fertility team can explain whether either form of testing is relevant to you and why.
PGT-M looks for a specific condition caused by a change in a single gene.
PGT-SR is different. It is used when there is a known structural rearrangement involving chromosomes, such as when sections of chromosomes have been rearranged.
The names can sound very similar when you first encounter them. Which type of testing may be relevant depends on the genetic finding that is being investigated.
The embryos are created and allowed to develop in the IVF laboratory. At the appropriate stage, a small number of cells are carefully taken from the part of the embryo that develops into the placenta and sent for genetic testing.
The embryo itself is usually frozen while the testing is completed. Once the results are available, your fertility team can explain what they mean and discuss the next stage of your treatment with you.
If PGT-M is being planned as part of your IVF cycle, your embryology team can also talk you through the biopsy and testing process beforehand.
No. PGT-M can provide important information about the specific genetic condition being tested for, but no genetic test is 100% accurate.
It is also important to remember that PGT-M is designed around a particular condition. It does not test an embryo for every possible genetic or health condition.
Before testing, your fertility and genetics teams should explain what your particular PGT-M test is looking for, how the results are interpreted and the limitations of the test. Depending on your circumstances, genetic testing during pregnancy may also be discussed.
It is helpful to raise it as early as possible when planning your IVF treatment, particularly if you already have genetic reports or know the specific condition within your family.
PGT-M testing is tailored to the particular genetic finding being investigated, and some preparation may be needed before embryos can be tested.
You do not need to know whether PGT-M is right for you before starting that conversation. Sharing what you already know about your family history or previous genetic testing gives your fertility team a starting point from which to explain whether PGT-M may be relevant and what the next steps would involve.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
If you like to have more information, let us connect. Please fill in the form below to learn about your Fertility status or scheduling an appointment with us.
