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Fertility · UK

PGT-A testing - straight talk on an amber add-on.

For couples going through IVF who want their embryos screened for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. A HFEA-licensed lab, a consultant embryologist, and an honest read on whether PGT-A actually helps in your case.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private PGT-A testing costs in the UK.

In short

PGT-A add-on to IVF: £2,500–£4,500, results back in 2–3 weeks.

ItemIndicative range
PGT-A screening (per cycle, up to 8 embryos)£2,500–£4,500
Additional embryos over 8 (each)£300–£450
Trophectoderm biopsy (day 5/6)£800–£1,500
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle£1,800–£3,500
Full IVF cycle + PGT-A package£8,000–£14,000
Genetic counselling session£180–£350
Reproductive medicine consultation£250–£450

The problem

A HFEA-licensed lab, an honest add-on conversation, and a plan that fits your history.

  • Does PGT-A actually help you?

    The HFEA rates PGT-A as an amber add-on. It helps some patients and not others. We say when the evidence supports it.

  • A HFEA-licensed embryology team

    Trophectoderm biopsy done by an experienced embryologist, in a HFEA-licensed lab with published outcomes.

  • Genetic counselling before you decide

    Every mosaic, no-result and abnormal embryo needs a real conversation - not just an email report.

When it helps

When PGT-A testing is the right step.

  • Maternal age 35 and over

    Aneuploidy rates rise steeply with age - PGT-A can shorten time to a healthy pregnancy.

  • Two or more previous miscarriages

    Recurrent pregnancy loss where a chromosomal cause is likely.

  • Two or more failed IVF transfers

    Repeated implantation failure with good-looking embryos.

  • Known balanced translocation (with PGT-SR)

    Structural rearrangements that raise the risk of unbalanced embryos.

  • Severe male-factor infertility

    Very high sperm aneuploidy rates in selected cases.

  • Single embryo transfer strategy

    When you want the best-quality single embryo transferred to reduce twin risk.

  • Family balancing is not a UK indication

    The HFEA does not permit sex selection for non-medical reasons in the UK.

  • Red flag: unrealistic promises

    PGT-A does not guarantee a live birth. Any clinic promising otherwise is not being straight with you.

Options

The right test depends on why you are considering PGT.

  • PGT-A (aneuploidy screening)

    Whole-chromosome screen - the standard use case for older maternal age or recurrent loss.

  • PGT-SR (structural rearrangement)

    For known balanced translocations or inversions.

  • PGT-M (monogenic disease)

    Testing for a specific inherited condition - requires HFEA approval per condition.

  • Trophectoderm biopsy (day 5/6)

    The standard technique - a few cells from the outer layer of a blastocyst.

  • Next-generation sequencing (NGS)

    The current standard analysis platform, higher resolution than older aCGH.

  • Mosaicism reporting

    Modern NGS reports low, mid and high-level mosaic embryos - handled with genetic counselling.

  • Fresh vs frozen transfer

    PGT-A cycles are almost always freeze-all with FET in a later cycle.

  • Non-invasive PGT-A

    Analysing cell-free DNA in culture medium - still investigational in the UK.

Safety and recovery

What to expect - honestly.

  • Biopsy risk to the embryo

    Trophectoderm biopsy by a skilled embryologist is low-risk; some embryos may not survive the freeze-thaw cycle.

  • No-result rate

    A small percentage of embryos give no diagnostic result and need re-biopsy or transfer without a result.

  • Mosaic embryos

    Modern NGS identifies mosaic embryos - these need proper counselling before any decision.

  • Add-on evidence

    The HFEA rates PGT-A as an amber add-on - evidence of benefit is mixed and age-dependent.

  • Freeze-all cycle

    PGT-A means your embryos are frozen and transferred in a later cycle, adding time and cost.

  • OHSS risk from stimulation

    The IVF cycle itself carries a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

  • No guarantee of live birth

    A euploid embryo has a higher chance of implanting but not certainty.

  • Ethical and welfare considerations

    HFEA-regulated clinics run welfare-of-the-child assessments.

  • Red flag: severe pain, heavy bleeding, breathlessness after collection

    Same-day contact with the clinic or A&E - OHSS can be serious.

Your notes

Your report in four parts.

A UK consultant reviewing notes
  1. Header

    Embryos biopsied and platform used

    How many embryos were biopsied, when in development, and which NGS platform was used.

  2. Technique

    Biopsy method and freeze protocol

    Trophectoderm biopsy technique and vitrification protocol.

  3. Findings

    Euploid, aneuploid, mosaic and no-result counts

    A per-embryo breakdown - the numbers you and your consultant will act on.

  4. Impression

    Recommended transfer order and counselling

    Read this first: which embryo is recommended for transfer and any mosaic conversation you need.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

PGT-A is not routinely NHS-funded; it is a private IVF add-on rated amber by the HFEA and often not covered by insurers.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about PGT-A testing.

  • When is PGT-A actually worth doing?

    The HFEA rates PGT-A as an amber add-on. The evidence is strongest in maternal age 35 and over, recurrent pregnancy loss and repeated implantation failure. For younger patients on a first cycle it is often not the right call.

  • What does PGT-A involve?

    A few cells are biopsied from the outer trophectoderm of a day 5 or 6 blastocyst, the embryos are frozen, and the biopsied cells are analysed by next-generation sequencing for whole-chromosome aneuploidy. A single euploid embryo is transferred in a later FET cycle.

  • How much does PGT-A cost privately in the UK?

    Roughly £2,500–£4,500 for PGT-A screening added to an IVF cycle, plus £800–£1,500 for the biopsy itself and £1,800–£3,500 for the frozen embryo transfer. A full IVF + PGT-A package usually runs £8,000–£14,000.

  • Is PGT-A available on the NHS?

    PGT-A is not routinely NHS-funded. PGT-M (single-gene disease) is NHS-funded through specialist centres for approved conditions.

  • What is a mosaic embryo?

    A mosaic embryo has a mix of normal and abnormal cells. Modern NGS picks up low, mid and high-level mosaicism. Selected mosaic embryos can still give healthy live births - genetic counselling is essential before any transfer decision.

  • Does PGT-A guarantee a healthy baby?

    No. A euploid embryo has a higher chance of implanting and continuing to a live birth, but PGT-A only tests for chromosome number - it does not screen for every genetic condition and cannot guarantee outcome.

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