Chromosome Analysis, Blood Test

This test looks for changes, or abnormalities, in the chromosomes that make up your body's DNA, or genetic road map. Abnormalities in your chromosomes help healthcare providers diagnose many medical conditions. In some cases, your chromosomes can help your healthcare provider predict a medical problem before you even have symptoms. Chromosome studies done on a developing baby inside a mother's womb can predict problems that a baby may be born with or develop later in life. It can help in the diagnosis of congenital chromosome abnormalities, including aneuploidy, structural abnormalities, and balanced rearrangements

It is recommended that you should either wear a sleeve-less or a short-sleeved shirt to make it easier for you and the technician who will be drawing the blood. Wearing a shirt with full- sleeves that can easily be rolled-up is also fine. There is no need to disturb your diet routine before a chromosome analysis test. You can eat and drink normally.

A positive value for the Chromosome Analysis Blood Test may indicate a genetic disorder, such as trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome), Klinefelter’s syndrome, Turner’s syndrome, and fragile-X syndrome Many hematologic and lymphoid malignancies (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplasia) are associated with chromosomal abnormalities, which can help diagnose the disease and/or predict the clinical course of the disease

The laboratory test results are NOT to be interpreted as results of a 'stand-alone' test. The test results have to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will explain the meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical scenario.

A band is wrapped around the arm, 3-4 inches above the collection site (superficial vein that lies within the elbow pit) A 70% alcohol pad is used to clean the skin A needle is then kept in line with and injected into a vein that can be seen from the skin The blood is dragged out from the needle by a nozzle, saved in a vessel and sealed with your name The sample is then taken to a lab for examination