Common Specialities

Common Issues

Common Treatments

Overview

Inhibin A Test

What is Inhibin A Test?

The inhibin A test is done on a sample to measure the amount of this hormone in a pregnant woman's blood to check a if the down syndrome in the baby. This hormone is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Generally done between 15 and 20 weeks, this test checks the levels of four substances in a pregnant woman's blood: 1.alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) 2.human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG), 3.a type of estrogen 4.hormone inhibin A. The level of this hormone is used to determine various birth defects to the child during the pregnancy of a mother.

Preparation for Inhibin A Test

Make sure to wear a short-sleeved shirt or a shirt with sleeves that you can easily roll up.No special preparation needed for the Inhibin-A test. There’s no need to adjust your diet. You can both eat and drink normally. Tell your doctor if you have or had any allergies of some kind. However, your doctor may require that you fast for a specific amount of time before the test. That’s common if the blood sample is required for additional testing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

Uses of Inhibin A Test

A normal result shows the level of the hormone Inhibin-A is low, or negative. An abnormal result shows the level of the hormone inhibin A is high and positive. The high level of the hormone must be screened with the quad screen blood tests. Things affecting your results are: 1. If you smoke (increase). 2. If you’re obese (decrease). If abnormal levels of inhibin-A are found you should to talk with your doctor or a genetic counselor. The test results can be abnormal, even if nothing is with the baby.

Procedure for Inhibin A Test

During this test, a lab technician will draw blood from a vein, generally from the inside of your elbow. The lab assistant will: 1.clean your skin with an antiseptic wipe. 2.place an elastic band around your upper arm to help the vein swell with blood. 3.insert a needle in the your and collects the required amount of blood. 4.cover the area with a bandage to stop any bleeding. 5.label your sample and send it to a lab for analysis.

Limitations of Inhibin A Test

LimitationsResults from this ultrasensitive inhibin A test are not interchangeable with values obtained using the inhibin A test that is available as part of LabCorp's prenatal screening profiles. This procedure may be considered by Medicare and other carriers as investigational and, therefore, may not be payable as a covered benefit for patients.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Serum, frozen

Volume

0.3 mL

Container

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube.

Normal values for Inhibin A Test

Type	Gender	Age-Group	Value
Inhibin A	Male	All age groups	< 2 pg/ml
Inhibin A Premenopausal	Female	All age groups	< 97.5pg/ml
Inhibin A Postmenopausal	Female	All age groups	< 2.1 pg/ml

Price for Inhibin A Test

Average price range of the test is between Rs.1200 to Rs.4000 depending on the factors of city, quality and availablity.

Table of Content

What is Inhibin A Test?

Preparation for Inhibin A Test

Uses of Inhibin A Test

Procedure for Inhibin A Test

Limitations of Inhibin A Test

Specimen Requirements

Normal values for Inhibin A Test

Price for Inhibin A Test

When should be triple test done for best results. Can it be done during 16th week of pregnancy.

Dr. K V Anand

BASM, MD, MS (Counseling & Psychotherapy), MSc - Psychology, Certificate in Clinical psychology of children and Young People, Certificate in Psychological First Aid, Certificate in Positive Psychology, Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health

Psychologist, Palakkad

When should be triple test done for best results. Can it be done during 16th week of pregnancy.

The triple screening measures the amounts of three substances in a pregnant woman's blood: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and estriol (uE3). When a test for the hormone inhibin A is added, it's called a quad screening. This test can be done according to the doctor's desire. Take care.

1 person found this helpful

I am 34 year Old male with a secondary infertility case i.e. I already have 6 years old daughter which we got via natural conception. I don't drink, don't smoke at all and IT engineer by profession with no exposure of any heat whatsoever. It's been over 10 months since we are trying for our second baby and we aren't getting result. We had a rigorous tests done for my wife and she is all fine as she was during 1st conception hence with repeated semen analysis it's discovered that I have Azoospermia God knows how come it got developed in me :(. I have absolute no surgery or something hitting my testis which could ever lead to this. Doctor has advised me to go for Testicular Biopsy some have advised IUI / IVF. I want to know do I really need IVF as I strongly believe that I must be having sperms but it's not just coming through ejaculation. Please advise.

Dr. Parag Patil

MD - Obstetrtics & Gynaecology, MBBS

Gynaecologist,

I am 34 year Old male with a secondary infertility case i.e. I already have 6 years old daughter which we got via nat...

Azoospermia means your semen doesnot contain sperms. It could be due to either lack of production or due to obstruction of the tube which delivers the sperms at sex. In patients of azoospermia, is the volume of the ejaculate (semen) is good and fructose test is positive, it could mean there is no production. If the fructose if absent it suggests ejaculatory duct obstruction. Usually hormones tests like FSH, LH, Inhibin B levels are advised and on their basis, some hormonal treatment can be offered. Normal volume, PH and fructose being present and presence of GPC (glyceryl phospho choline) means there is NO obstruction, But Normal Volume, PH and fructose positive but NO GPC means it is vas deference epididymis level obstruction. Low volume, PH and fructose negative and NO GPC means it is ejaculatory duct obstruction So het the hormone tests done, GPC levels tested, and meet a urologist or andrologist who can guide your treatment. In patients who have sperm production but tubal block, the sperms can be aspirated by TESA or MESA but these need to be sued for IVF only. If the hormone levels are low, and there is NO obstruction, there are injections which can help increase the production. In patient who have never had a child or are not affording the expensive testicular biopsy, TESA, MESA,IVF, gynecologists also can suggest a donor semen insemination as a attempt for those who want a pregnancy desperately. So decide for yourself and then meet an andrologist or urologist.

Hi. I am 28 years male. Married for 1 year. Me and my wife were trying to conceive for past 8 months and was not successful. On checking with Gynaecologist, it was found that I have <1 million sperm count. I repeated sperm analysis 3 times and result was same every time. Following are my blood reports summary. FSH - 26.1 inhibin B - 0.72 Y chromosome microdeletion - none deleted Karyotyping - normal Can I be positive for a successful IVF with my own sperms?

Dr. Sajeev Kumar

C.S.C, D.C.H, M.B.B.S

General Physician, Alappuzha

Hi. I am 28 years male. Married for 1 year. Me and my wife were trying to conceive for past 8 months and was not succ...

If you keep trying you can normally become father in some time may a year . Yes you can do IVF also if not successful

4 people found this helpful

I am 31 years old male. I am suffering from azoospermia. Inhibin b result is low as <4.6. What should I do ?

Dr. Sujoy Dasgupta

MBBS (Gold Medalist, Hons), MS (Obst and Gynae- Gold Medalist), DNB (Obst and Gynae), Fellow- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (ACOG, USA), FIAOG, MRCOG (London, UK)

Gynaecologist, Kolkata

Inhibin b is low, most likely sperm production is low. Still sometimes we can find some sperms in testicular sample. So, consult infertility specialist. Don't lose hope.

View All Questions & Answers

Overview

Inhibin A Test

Table of Content

Popular Questions & Answers

When should be triple test done for best results. Can it be done during 16th week of pregnancy.

I am 31 years old male. I am suffering from azoospermia. Inhibin b result is low as <4.6. What should I do ?

Inhibin A Test In Popular Cities