FAQs (Recurrent miscarriage, professionals) - South East Genomics : South East Genomics

Genetic testing after recurrent miscarriage can raise questions, both for you and for the people you care for. Here are answers to some of the questions you or your patients might have, from who can request a test to what the results mean.

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If you can’t find what you need, you can contact the South East Genomic Medicine Service through the Contact Us page on the South East Genomics website.

Genetic testing

A health professional needs to request the test. This can be a nurse, midwife, GP, consultant or genetic counsellor. The National Genomic Test Directory sets out which tests are available, who is eligible, and who can request each one.

It is the list of genomic tests the NHS in England pays for. It says which tests are available, how to access them, and which patients are eligible. It covers rare and inherited conditions and cancer. See the National Genomic Test Directories on the NHS England website.

The South East Genomic Medicine Service provides testing for South London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Some specialist tests are only done in certain laboratories, and the service makes sure each test goes to the right place. The latest list of tests is in the National Genomic Test Directory.

Genetic testing is usually done on the NHS, for patients who meet the criteria. Private testing is available, but quality and information vary a lot. If a patient chooses private testing, advise them to use a provider with genetics-trained staff, such as consultant geneticists or genetic counsellors, and an accredited laboratory. Tests bought directly online without a trained professional may be less accurate.

Genetics is the study of genes. Genomics is the study of all of a person’s DNA, including their genes. The two words are often used to mean the same thing.

Results

Each test has a nationally agreed turnaround time. For fetal loss microarray, the South East lab’s average is 5 to 6 weeks, and the national target is 90% within 42 days. Let your patient know roughly when to expect their result and who will contact them.

The full report goes to the health professional who requested the test, who arranges to give the result to the patient. It sets out the key genomic findings and whether a cause has been found or ruled out. It also includes technical details for professionals and lab staff.

No. A normal (negative) result means no genetic cause was found with the test used and what is known today. It doesn’t completely rule out a genetic link, and future research may tell us more. Many conditions are caused by a mix of personal, environmental and genetic factors, so one test may not give the whole answer.

It is a genetic change where it isn’t yet known whether it affects health. It is usually treated like a negative result, unless more evidence links it to a condition. Patients with this result should be able to discuss it with a genetics-trained professional, and can be referred to Clinical Genetics if needed.

The health professional who requested the test explains the result. Genetic results can be complicated, so a referral to Clinical Genetics may be recommended for patients who haven’t seen a genetics professional. Depending on the result, further tests or specialist referrals may follow.

Privacy and insurance

The NHS professionals directly involved in the patient’s care, such as the requesting clinician and GP, and the NHS laboratory staff who did the test. Other NHS professionals may see the genetic details, with as little personal information as possible, for testing, developing new tests and quality control. Data may also be shared nationally or internationally with name, date of birth and address removed.

The Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance is an agreement between the UK government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI). All ABI members have signed up to it. Insurers agree to treat applicants fairly and not to pressure anyone into having a predictive or diagnostic genetic test. Predictive test results are not used, with one exception: a predictive test for Huntington’s disease for life insurance over £500,000. Results from predictive tests done as part of research are not used.