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How To Increase The PAPP Hormone Levels During Pregnancy?
Hi, I am nearly 15 weeks pregnant and my first trimester blood test came back with my PAPP hormone levels reading quite low at 0.16. I am just wondering if any foods that i can eat or if there is anything that i can do to increase these levels of hormones?
Mon, 24 Nov 2014
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Papp-A is a hormone produced by the placenta. It is usually part of the first trimester screen for Down's syndrome and a couple of other 'trisomies'. When this test is negative, that is very reassuring, but sometimes the Papp-A can be low on its own (even with normal screening). This MIGHT suggest something about the placenta that has implications for the pregnancy later. There might be an increased risk for preeclampsia (a blood pressure problem) and problems related to the growth of the fetus. Typically there is some followup arranged to check the fetus' growth later in the pregnancy, and at every visit you are basically screening for preeclampsia when they check your blood pressure. There is nothing you can do to improve this lab or change your ultimate risk in the pregnancy.
I hope that this helps and good luck!
Dr. Tim
Papp-A is a hormone produced by the placenta. It is usually part of the first trimester screen for Down's syndrome and a couple of other 'trisomies'. When this test is negative, that is very reassuring, but sometimes the Papp-A can be low on its own (even with normal screening). This MIGHT suggest something about the placenta that has implications for the pregnancy later. There might be an increased risk for preeclampsia (a blood pressure problem) and problems related to the growth of the fetus. Typically there is some followup arranged to check the fetus' growth later in the pregnancy, and at every visit you are basically screening for preeclampsia when they check your blood pressure. There is nothing you can do to improve this lab or change your ultimate risk in the pregnancy.
I hope that this helps and good luck!
Dr. Tim
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