What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're pregnant and experiencing intense itching, especially on your hands and feet, particularly during your third trimester. It's also useful if you've noticed yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice) or have had unusual liver enzyme results during pregnancy. These can be signs of a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), which needs to be identified early to protect your baby's health.

How should I prepare for this test?

How can you naturally support liver health during pregnancy? Staying well hydrated, eating smaller and more frequent meals, and avoiding fatty or fried foods can ease the load on your liver. Light, doctor-approved activity and getting enough rest also help your body process bile acids more efficiently. These habits won't replace testing but can support overall liver comfort during pregnancy.

What's included in this test?

This test measures your total bile acids along with individual bile acid components, giving a detailed breakdown of how your liver is processing these substances during pregnancy. Looking at both the total level and specific fractions, like cholic acid, helps distinguish normal pregnancy changes from a condition like ICP, since cholic acid tends to rise much more sharply when something is wrong.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will appear in your account with each bile acid value explained alongside its normal range so you understand exactly where you stand. If your total bile acids or cholic acid levels are elevated, next steps typically involve closer monitoring of your pregnancy and possibly earlier delivery planning, so it's important to seek medical care promptly if your levels come back high. You can download a standard lab report directly from your account for your records, and if you're retested later in pregnancy, the trends feature lets you track how your levels change over time.

When will I get my results?

Results for this test are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being collected at the lab. Because this test can point to a time-sensitive pregnancy condition, it's a good idea to check your account regularly once you're near the expected turnaround window. As soon as results are ready, they'll be posted to your account along with an explanation of what the values mean.

Who should consider this test?

This test is a good fit for pregnant women, especially in the second or third trimester, who are dealing with persistent itching without a rash, particularly on the palms and soles. It's also worth considering if you have a personal or family history of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, since it tends to run in families. Anyone with unexplained liver enzyme changes during pregnancy may also benefit from this test.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

The classic warning sign is intense itching, especially on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, that gets worse at night and isn't caused by a rash. Other symptoms can include darker urine, lighter-colored stools, mild jaundice, or general fatigue. If you notice these symptoms during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, it's worth getting your bile acids checked.

What does high total bile acids mean?

Elevated total bile acids, especially with a big jump in cholic acid, suggests your liver isn't processing bile normally, which is the hallmark of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Because ICP can increase risks for the baby like preterm birth, a high result should prompt you to seek medical care right away for closer pregnancy monitoring. The specific level of elevation often helps determine how urgently follow-up care is needed.

How often should I retest?

If your itching continues or gets worse after an initial normal result, retesting every 1-2 weeks is common to catch any changes early. Once bile acids are found to be elevated, more frequent monitoring is usually recommended for the rest of the pregnancy. Your specific retesting schedule will depend on how your symptoms and levels progress.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

If your bile acid levels come back elevated, seek medical care promptly since this can affect both your comfort and your baby's safety. In the meantime, staying hydrated, resting, and avoiding heavy or fatty meals may help ease itching symptoms. Keep track of any new symptoms like changes in fetal movement and report them immediately, as these can signal that closer monitoring is needed.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Pregnancy Bile Acids Test - ICP Itching Screening

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

[email protected]