CarrierMatch™
We all have the odd spelling mistake (technically known as a ‘mutation’) in some of our genes, it’s a normal occurrence amongst the 20,000 genes that make us who we are.
We are therefore all healthy carriers of one or more genetic disorders that often never affect us, because we have another working copy of the gene to compensate. However, when both partners are carriers of the same ‘recessive’ condition, there is a 25% chance of having a child with that disorder.
Private genetic testing in London
Here at CRGH we offer the CarrierMatch™ service for 500 of the more common and severe genetic disorders, to identify carriers and more importantly, ‘carrier couples’, for these particular conditions.
A carrier couple is one in which both partners carry a mutation in the same gene. This information can allow carrier couples to access tests and treatments that will help them avoid the tragedy of a child being diagnosed with a life limiting genetic disorder, before it ever occurs.
CarrierMatch™
How does the CarrierMatch™ test work?
You will have an appointment with our specialist Genetic Counsellor to review your family history and the details of the test.
After that a simple blood test will be performed to give us a sample of your DNA for the test.
After 4 weeks you will receive your results by email, including a copy of the lab report and an explanation of the implications of the results in straightforward layman’s terms.
Further Genetic Counselling appointments are available by request, to discuss results, if required.
Who should consider the CarrierMatch™ test?
Anyone planning to start a family, whether by conceiving naturally, or with the help of fertility treatments, who wants to increase the chance that they will have a healthy baby.
What are the limitations of the CarrierMatch™ test?
- The CarrierMatch™ test does not fully sequence all of your genes, only the 500 on our panel. There is still therefore a risk that you could be a carrier of another rare gene that is not on the panel.
- There is a small risk that a person could carry a mutation in one of the 500 genes, that the test method cannot detect.
- The test does not look for genes that cause ‘dominant’ genetic disorder.
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