PGT and PGD Testing in Turkey IVF: A Complete Guide
What Are PGT and PGD in IVF?
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is an advanced screening method used during IVF treatment to analyze embryos before transfer. PGT-A (formerly PGS) screens for chromosomal abnormalities, while PGD (now called PGT-M) tests for specific inherited genetic disorders. Turkey has become a leading destination for these procedures due to its combination of advanced laboratory technology and affordable pricing.
Turkish fertility clinics use next-generation sequencing (NGS) and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) platforms, the same technologies found in top European and American centers. The key difference is cost: PGT-A testing in Turkey typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 for a cycle, compared to $5,000 or more in the US or UK.
Who Should Consider PGT-A or PGD?
Candidates for PGT-A
PGT-A is recommended for women over 35, couples with recurrent miscarriage, patients with repeated IVF failure, and anyone who wants to maximize the chance of a healthy pregnancy. By selecting chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos, clinics can achieve single-embryo transfer success rates above 60%, dramatically reducing the risk of multiples while maintaining high pregnancy rates.
Candidates for PGD (PGT-M)
PGD is essential for couples who carry known genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, or spinal muscular atrophy. Turkey's genetic laboratories can test for hundreds of single-gene disorders. Couples should undergo genetic counseling before starting a PGD cycle to identify the specific mutation and design custom probes.
The PGT Process at Turkish Clinics
The testing process begins with a standard IVF or ICSI cycle. Embryos are cultured to the blastocyst stage (day 5-6), at which point an embryologist performs a trophectoderm biopsy, removing a few cells from the outer layer without harming the inner cell mass. The biopsied cells are sent to the genetics lab, and results are typically available within 7 to 14 days.
During the waiting period, embryos are vitrified (flash-frozen). Once results confirm which embryos are chromosomally normal or free of the targeted genetic condition, a frozen embryo transfer (FET) is scheduled. Many top clinics in Turkey report that the freeze-all approach combined with PGT yields higher cumulative pregnancy rates than fresh transfers without testing.
Costs and What to Expect
A complete IVF cycle with PGT-A in Turkey generally costs between $4,000 and $7,000, including medications, egg retrieval, ICSI, biopsy, genetic analysis, and a subsequent frozen transfer. PGD for single-gene disorders may add an extra $1,000 to $2,000 due to the need for custom probe preparation. These figures represent savings of 50-70% compared to equivalent treatment in Western Europe or North America.
When choosing a clinic, verify that the genetics laboratory holds international accreditation and that the embryology team has extensive biopsy experience. You can browse verified fertility consultants on our platform to find specialists experienced in preimplantation genetic testing. With the right clinic and proper genetic counseling, PGT and PGD significantly improve the odds of a healthy pregnancy.
