How to Read a PGT Report from a Thai Laboratory: A Patient Orientation Guide

If you have just received a PGT laboratory report from a clinic in Thailand, you may be looking at unfamiliar terms, abbreviations and tables. This guide explains the sections you are likely to see, what they generally describe, and which questions to ask your treating clinician. It does not interpret your individual results, and it cannot tell you what any specific finding means for you. PGT reports are clinical documents, and the person best placed to explain yours is the clinician who ordered the test and knows your history.

At a glance

• A PGT report usually describes the test performed, the sample, the laboratory method, quality indicators and result categories.
• PGT-A, PGT-M and PGT-SR are different tests with different purposes; the report should state which was used.
• Result categories are not the same as a diagnosis or a guarantee. They describe what the laboratory observed within the limits of the test.
• Your clinician combines the report with your clinical context, the embryology record and your preferences.
• You can ask for a copy of the report, a plain-language explanation and a note of any limitations.

What a PGT report is, and what it is not

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a laboratory investigation performed on a small sample of cells taken from an embryo during IVF. The report is the laboratory’s record of what it tested and what it observed. It is not a diagnosis of a future child, a prediction of pregnancy, or a guarantee of any outcome. It also does not replace the clinical judgement of your treating team.

PGT is not required for every patient, and it is not a guarantee of success. Whether PGT is appropriate, which type is used, and how results are acted on are decisions made with your clinician, taking into account your history, the reason for testing and the limits of the technology.

The main types of PGT you may see named

Reports often state the type of PGT performed. The three common categories are:

• PGT-A (aneuploidy): looks at the number of chromosomes in the sampled cells, to identify embryos with an abnormal number of chromosomes.
• PGT-M (monogenic): looks for a specific inherited condition caused by a change in a single gene, usually when a known familial variant is being tested.
• PGT-SR (structural rearrangement): looks at chromosomes when a parent carries a structural rearrangement, such as a translocation or inversion.

Each test has a different purpose and different limitations. A report for one type does not answer the questions of another. If the report does not clearly state the type, that is a reasonable first question for your clinician.

Common sections you may find in a PGT report

Laboratory report formats vary, but many include the following sections. Use this as a checklist of what to look for, not as a substitute for your clinician’s explanation.

1. Patient and sample identification

This section links the report to you and to the embryos tested. It may include your name or an identifier, the clinic, the date of the report, and a list of the embryos or samples with their laboratory identifiers. Check that the identifiers match what your clinic has told you. If anything looks inconsistent, ask your clinic to confirm before drawing conclusions.

2. Test requested and indication

This states which PGT was requested and, often, the reason it was requested. The indication matters because it shapes how the result should be read. For example, a PGT-M report is usually interpreted against the specific familial variant being tested, while a PGT-A report is about chromosome number.

3. Laboratory method and platform

Reports may describe the technology used, such as the type of sequencing or analysis, the number of cells sampled, and the stage at which the embryo was biopsied. You do not need to master the technical detail, but it is reasonable to ask whether the method used is appropriate for the indication and whether the laboratory participates in external quality assessment.

4. Quality and technical notes

Good reports often include notes on sample quality, whether the result was clear or limited, and any technical caveats. Terms such as “no result,” “inconclusive,” “failed amplification” or “low confidence” may appear. These describe the laboratory’s confidence in the analysis, not a judgement about the embryo’s future. Ask your clinician what a quality note means for your specific report.

5. Result categories per embryo

This is usually the part patients look at first. Reports commonly group embryos into categories such as:

• Euploid / normal chromosome number: the laboratory’s analysis did not identify an abnormal chromosome number in the sampled cells.
• Aneuploid / abnormal chromosome number: the analysis identified an abnormal chromosome number in the sampled cells.
• Mosaic: the analysis found a mixture of cells with different chromosome numbers in the sample. Mosaicism can be reported at different levels, and its interpretation is complex.
• Inconclusive / no result: the laboratory could not produce a reliable result for that embryo.

For PGT-M and PGT-SR, categories are usually described in relation to the specific condition or rearrangement being tested, rather than as a simple normal/abnormal label. The wording matters, and your clinician should explain it in the context of your family’s situation.

6. Interpretation and comments

Some reports include a laboratory comment or a suggested interpretation. Even when present, this is not a treatment plan. Your clinician integrates the report with the embryology record, your medical history and your priorities. If the report includes a comment you do not understand, write it down and ask for a plain-language explanation.

7. Limitations and disclaimers

Most reports include a statement of limitations. Common themes include the small amount of DNA available from a biopsy, the possibility of mosaicism that is not detected, and the fact that PGT does not test for all possible conditions. These limitations are not a sign that something went wrong; they are part of what the test can and cannot do.

A simple way to read the report without over-interpreting it

1. Confirm the report belongs to you and to the correct cycle.
2. Identify which type of PGT was performed and why.
3. Note the method and any quality or technical notes.
4. List the result category for each embryo, without deciding what it means.
5. Write down every term you do not understand.
6. Bring the report and your questions to your treating clinician before making any decision.

Questions to ask your treating clinician

These questions are designed to help you prepare for a conversation, not to replace it.

• Which type of PGT was performed, and what was the specific reason for it in my case?
• Can you walk me through each section of this report in plain language?
• What does the result category for each embryo mean in the context of my history?
• Were there any quality or technical notes, and how do they affect how much confidence we can place in the result?
• What are the limitations of this test for my situation?
• What are the alternatives to using this result as part of my care?
• What would you recommend as next steps, and what are the trade-offs?
• Can I have a copy of the full report and any laboratory comments for my records?
• If I want a second opinion on the laboratory interpretation, how would that work?

How to prepare for the follow-up conversation

Before your appointment, gather the report, any embryology updates and a list of your questions. It can help to ask a partner, family member or friend to join, and to take notes. If you prefer, ask whether a summary in your first language can be provided. If you are considering care in Thailand and want to understand how clinics describe their laboratory arrangements, you can review the hospital directory and the PGT in Thailand overview. General planning guidance is available in the guides section, and common questions are collected in the FAQ.

What this guide does not do

This guide does not interpret your individual results, recommend a treatment, or tell you whether PGT is right for you. It also does not state prices, legal requirements, success rates or clinic-specific services, because those details vary and must be confirmed directly with your treating clinic or the relevant authority. Use this guide to organise your questions, and rely on your clinician for clinical decisions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I interpret my PGT report on my own?

You can read the report to identify its sections and prepare questions, but interpreting the result for your situation requires clinical context that only your treating clinician has. Result categories describe laboratory observations within the limits of the test; they are not a diagnosis or a guarantee. Ask your clinician to explain your specific report before you draw conclusions.

What does it mean if my report says a result is inconclusive or has no result?

An inconclusive or no-result entry usually means the laboratory could not produce a reliable analysis for that embryo, often because of technical factors such as the amount or quality of the sample. It is not a judgement about the embryo's potential. Ask your clinician what this means for your options and whether any further discussion with the laboratory is possible.

What is the difference between PGT-A, PGT-M and PGT-SR in a report?

PGT-A looks at chromosome number, PGT-M looks for a specific inherited single-gene condition, and PGT-SR looks at chromosomes when a parent carries a structural rearrangement. Each has a different purpose and different limitations, so the type stated on your report matters for how the result should be read. Your clinician can explain which type was used and why.

Should I ask for a copy of the full laboratory report?

Yes, it is reasonable to ask for a copy of the full report, including any laboratory comments and quality notes, for your records. Having the complete document can help you prepare questions and seek a second opinion if you wish. Your clinic can advise how to request it.

Does a PGT report guarantee a healthy pregnancy or baby?

No. PGT is a laboratory investigation with limitations, and it does not test for all possible conditions or guarantee any outcome. It cannot guarantee pregnancy, live birth or child health. Your clinician can explain what the test can and cannot tell you in your specific situation.

Continue your research

• Thailand hospital directory
• PGT in Thailand overview
• PGT and IVF guides

Medical information notice: This article is educational and does not replace individual assessment, diagnosis, genetic counselling or treatment advice from a licensed clinician. Provider services, availability, fees and policies should be verified directly before booking.