PGT-M Testing in the UK: Costs, Success Rates & NHS Criteria
If you carry a hereditary genetic condition and are considering IVF, PGT-M is the test that can help you understand which embryos are affected — before they’re is transferred to the womb.
Author
Tassia O’Callaghan
Reviewed by
Kayleigh Hartigan
17 min read
Spotlight:
- PGT-M screens IVF embryos for specific inherited single-gene conditions before transfer.
- It’s designed for people who carry or are affected by conditions like cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, or sickle cell disease.
- Testing is done at the blastocyst stage (day 5–7), using a small cell biopsy from each embryo.
- PGT-M can test for over 2,000 genetic conditions approved by the HFEA.
- NHS funding is available, but only if you meet strict eligibility criteria — and waiting times can be long.
What is PGT-M?
PGT-M stands for Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic disorders (previously known as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)). It’s a specialised test during IVF that screens embryos for inherited genetic conditions before they’re transferred to the womb. The goal is to identify embryos that are unaffected by a specific genetic condition, so only those embryos are considered for transfer. [1]
An embryo is created using IVF, from which a few cells are tested before it’s transferred to the womb. Most embryo testing takes place at blastocyst stage (day 5 to day 7). Only embryos without the disease-causing genetic variant are transferred, meaning a resulting child would not be expected to develop the condition that has been tested for.
Monogenic disorders are conditions caused by a mutation in a single gene — as opposed to chromosomal conditions, which involve whole chromosomes. PGT-M is highly targeted: it’s developed specifically around the genetic variant present in your family, which is why it requires a preparation (or “workup”) phase before testing even begins.
It’s worth knowing that PGT-M sits under the wider umbrella of pre-implantation genetic testing, alongside PGT-A (testing for chromosomal number abnormalities) and PGT-SR (testing for structural chromosomal rearrangements). Each type of testing serves a different purpose — more on the differences below.
Who is PGT-M for?
PGT-M is primarily for people who know they carry, or are affected by, an inherited single-gene condition and are concerned about passing it on to their children.
You might consider PGT-M if:
- You or your partner carry a known autosomal recessive condition: Meaning both partners carry a copy of the same faulty gene, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease. In these cases, there’s a 1 in 4 chance of an affected pregnancy.
- You or your partner carry a known autosomal dominant condition: Like Huntington’s disease or BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations, where carrying just one copy of the altered gene can cause the condition. Risk is typically 50%.
- You or your partner carry a known X-linked condition: Like haemophilia or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is passed via the X chromosome.
- You have previously had an affected pregnancy: Whether through a previous birth or a termination following prenatal diagnosis.
- You want to avoid the possibility of prenatal testing and potential termination: PGT-M offers a route to choosing an unaffected embryo before pregnancy begins.
PGT-M isn’t exclusively for couples with fertility problems. In fact, many people who undergo PGT-M may be able to conceive naturally — some choose IVF specifically because it enables embryo testing.
It’s also worth knowing that couples can choose to have their embryos frozen for future use if they produce more unaffected embryos than they need in the first cycle.
Find the right clinic for you
Choosing a clinic is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. We’ll find the best options for you and arrange your pre-treatment tests, empowering you from this point onwards.
What diseases does PGT-M test for?
PGT-M can test for over 2,000 genetic conditions approved by the HFEA, including cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, haemophilia, Huntington’s disease, and sickle cell disease. If a condition isn’t currently on the list, a clinic can apply to the HFEA for approval on your behalf as a licensed PGT-M provider. [2]
Conditions commonly tested for include:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Sickle cell disease
- Huntington’s disease
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Haemophilia A and B
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Fragile X syndrome
- Myotonic dystrophy
PGT tests for genetic conditions caused by one gene (‘monogenic’ or PGT-M), or a chromosomal structural rearrangement (PGT-SR). Together, they are known as PGT-M/SR. If your condition falls under chromosomal structural rearrangements rather than a single-gene mutation, your clinic may refer you for PGT-SR instead of, or alongside, PGT-M. [3]
How is PGT-M testing done?
PGT-M is not a standalone test — it takes place as part of an IVF cycle. Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish.
Step 1: Genetic counselling and workup
Before any IVF begins, you’ll meet with a clinical geneticist and a specialist genetic counsellor. This stage establishes the specific genetic variant in your family and designs the bespoke probe or test that will be used to identify it in your embryos. This is known as the “workup.” This process takes around 4 weeks to complete, and it’s done once — not repeated for each cycle. The workup is typically charged separately from the testing itself.
Step 2: IVF stimulation and egg retrieval
You’ll undergo a standard IVF cycle: hormone stimulation to produce multiple eggs, followed by egg retrieval under sedation. The eggs are then fertilised in the lab — usually using ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) — to maximise fertilisation rates.
Step 3: Embryo development to blastocyst
Fertilised embryos are cultured in the lab for 5–7 days until they reach the blastocyst stage. Not all fertilised eggs will make it to blastocyst — this is normal.
Step 4: Embryo biopsy
At blastocyst stage, an embryologist takes a small sample of cells (typically 5–10 cells) from the outer layer of each embryo. This outer layer, called the trophectoderm, is what becomes the placenta — not the baby itself. The embryos are then frozen while biopsy samples are sent to a specialist genetics laboratory. [4,5]
Step 5: Laboratory analysis
The biopsied cells are analysed for the specific genetic variant your test was designed to detect. The DNA from the collected cells is tested to see if they carry a specific genetic condition.
Step 6: Embryo transfer
Once results are in, your clinic will advise which embryos are unaffected and suitable for transfer. After receiving the results of your pre-implantation genetic testing, any embryos that aren’t affected by genetic or chromosomal abnormalities are suitable for transfer. The highest quality embryo will be chosen so that you can continue your IVF cycle. Transfer usually takes place in a subsequent frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle.
What's the difference between PGT-A and PGT-M?
PGT-A and PGT-M are both forms of pre-implantation genetic testing, but they screen for completely different things.
PGT-M is targeted. It’s designed around a specific, known inherited condition in your family — a single-gene mutation you know you carry. It can only find what it’s looking for.
PGT-A is broader. It screens embryos for aneuploidy — the wrong number of chromosomes — which can cause failed implantation, miscarriage, or conditions like Down’s syndrome. It’s not targeted to a specific inherited condition; it looks at chromosome number across all 23 pairs.
You can have both tests performed on the same embryo biopsy. Some people with a known genetic condition also add PGT-A to their cycle, to also screen for chromosomal abnormalities. This does add to the cost.
PGT for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a type of PGT used in cases of recurrent miscarriages of unknown aetiology. PGT-P (polygenic risk) does not currently have a legal licence for use in the UK due to the lack of scientific consensus about it. [6]
Is PGT-M more expensive than PGT-A?
Yes, PGT-M is generally more expensive than PGT-A. PGT-M is often more expensive than PGT-A because it usually requires case-specific test development (sometimes called probe/test setup) plus more complex analysis and genetic counselling. The workup — the one-off process of designing your bespoke test — is an additional cost that PGT-A doesn’t require.
PGT-A Testing: What It Is, How It Works, and Whether It’s Worth It
Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is one of the most talked-about IVF add-ons. But what does it actually tell you?
Why would I need to do a PGT-M test?
You don’t need PGT-M to have IVF, and not everyone undergoing IVF will need it. PGT-M is specifically for people who carry an inherited genetic condition and want to avoid passing it on to their children.
If you already know you or your partner carries a hereditary condition, PGT-M gives you the most proactive option available: knowing which embryos are unaffected before any pregnancy begins. The alternative routes — conceiving naturally and opting for prenatal testing such as CVS or amniocentesis — require waiting until pregnancy is established, and may raise the possibility of a difficult decision about whether to continue a pregnancy.
For many families, PGT-M is also about emotional wellbeing. Having watched a loved one live with a serious genetic condition — or having received a diagnosis yourself — the opportunity to break a cycle of inheritance can be profoundly significant.
Can I ask my GP for a PGT-M test?
Yes, you can and should speak to your GP if you think PGT-M might be relevant to you — particularly if you’ve recently discovered you carry a genetic condition. Your GP can refer you to a clinical genetics service, who will assess your situation and, if appropriate, refer you on to a PGT centre.
Your clinical geneticist (doctor) or genetic counsellor can refer you for an initial discussion appointment. This appointment gives you the opportunity to ask questions and find out whether PGT-M is suitable for your specific circumstances.
However, waiting times via the NHS can be significant. For NHS PGT referrals, time from first appointment to the start of treatment is currently estimated at between 8 and 18 months. [7]
If you don’t want to wait, or don’t meet NHS eligibility criteria, you can pursue PGT-M privately. Private clinics licensed to offer PGT-M can begin the workup process much faster, and the overall timeline from consultation to embryo transfer is typically shorter. Our free Clinic Matching tool can help you find clinics offering that suit your location, budget, and situation.
What are the NHS criteria for PGT-M?
NHS funding for PGT-M is available in England, but only for people who meet a specific set of criteria. To receive up to 3 NHS-funded cycles of ICSI or IVF in conjunction with PGT, you must meet the following criteria: [3,7,8]
- Your risk of conceiving a pregnancy affected by a serious genetic condition is 10% or more
- You’ve been referred to a PGT provider by an NHS clinical genetics service
- You’ve received genetic counselling from a clinical geneticist or a registered genetic counsellor
- You (or the person carrying the pregnancy) are under 40 at the time of treatment
- Your BMI is between 19 and 30 at the time of treatment
- Neither you nor your partner smokes — including e-cigarettes
- You don’t have a living, unaffected child together from your current relationship
- You and your partner have been together for at least a year and are living at the same address
- The HFEA has licensed your specific condition for PGT
- You’re not seeking PGT-M primarily because of infertility — the genetic risk needs to be the primary reason for treatment
If you fall outside these criteria, NHS funding typically won’t be available. In those cases, self-funding is the route to access treatment.
It’s also important to know that NHS availability varies significantly by geography in England, and criteria may differ slightly depending on your Integrated Care Board (ICB). Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each make their own decisions on funding. Always check with your GP and local genetics service to understand what’s available to you.
NHS IVF Eligibility Calculator
Use our free NHS IVF Eligibility Calculator to find out instantly if you qualify for funded fertility treatment, how many cycles you could get, and what to do next.
How much does PGT-M cost in the UK?
PGT-M cost in the UK is made up of several components, which is why it can appear confusing at first. You’re typically paying for:
- The workup/probe development: The one-off test design specific to your genetic variant, costing around £1,700.
- The embryo biopsy and testing: The laboratory analysis of your biopsied embryos, costing around £4,000.
- The IVF cycle itself: Stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation, embryo culture. The average cost of an IVF cycle in the UK in 2025–26 is £4,890, excluding medication. [9]
- Medication: Typically an additional £1,000–£1,500.
- The frozen embryo transfer (FET): Because results take several weeks, your embryos are frozen while testing is processed, costing an average of £1,800 to £2,000.
Self-funded PGT cycles are likely to cost a minimum of £10,000 per cycle, but the exact cost will vary. Some clinics will quote higher, particularly in London. [9,10]
What is the success rate of PGT-M?
Success rates for PGT-M vary depending on several factors: age, embryo numbers, the specific genetic condition, and how many unaffected embryos are available for transfer. However, the average success rate for PGT-M is 33%. For each PGT cycle, 2 out of 3 women (66%) either do not get pregnant at all or have a miscarriage. If a couple get as far as having the embryos transferred, then approximately 1 in 2 of these couples will be successful. [8]
It’s important to remember that success depends on having unaffected embryos available to transfer. In some cycles, all tested embryos may come back as affected, meaning no transfer is possible in that cycle. This is one reason why realistic expectations — and emotional support — are such an important part of the PGT-M journey.
PGT-M results: What do they mean?
After testing, each embryo will receive a result that typically falls into one of these categories:
- Unaffected/normal: The embryo does not carry the genetic variant being tested for. These are the embryos suitable for transfer.
- Carrier: For autosomal recessive conditions, an embryo may carry one copy of the gene variant but not be clinically affected. Whether to transfer a carrier embryo is a decision made with your clinical team and genetic counsellor.
- Affected: The embryo carries the genetic variant in a form expected to cause the condition. These embryos would not typically be selected for transfer.
- Inconclusive/segmented/mosaic: The result could not be determined definitively. This can happen in a small number of cases. Your clinic will discuss options.
The laboratory testing on the embryos isn’t 100% accurate. False results, though rare, are possible. For this reason, couples can be counselled regarding the success of PGT, risk factors, and the timeline to treatment. Many clinics and specialist centres advise confirmatory prenatal testing (such as CVS or amniocentesis) during any resulting pregnancy, for peace of mind. [7,8]
Next steps after a PGT-M test
Once your results are in, your clinic will walk you through which embryos are suitable for transfer. If you have unaffected embryos, the next step is a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle — a simpler process than the stimulation cycle, usually involving medication to prepare the uterus lining.
If your results show no unaffected embryos available for transfer, your team will discuss options: this might mean repeating the IVF cycle to generate more embryos, reconsidering carrier embryos for transfer (in relevant cases), or exploring donor options.
Even with a positive result and a successful transfer, many specialist centres recommend confirmatory prenatal testing during pregnancy. This is a personal decision, and your genetic counsellor will support you in thinking it through.
Whatever the outcome, the emotional weight of PGT-M — from carrying a hereditary condition, through the IVF process, to awaiting results — is real and significant. Don’t underestimate the value of specialist fertility counselling throughout.
Is PGT-M worth it?
That’s ultimately a deeply personal question, and one only you can answer.
If you carry a serious inherited condition and the risk of passing it on is 25–50%, PGT-M offers the most direct way to significantly reduce that risk before a pregnancy begins. For many families, particularly those who have already experienced an affected pregnancy or grown up watching a parent or sibling live with a serious condition, PGT-M offers something that goes beyond statistics: agency, and the chance to build a family without carrying the same burden forward.
The costs are significant, and the process is not straightforward. But for those who meet the NHS criteria, up to 3 funded cycles are available. And for those self-funding, the total expenditure is often comparable to the combined costs of multiple rounds of IVF without PGT-M, plus the emotional and financial impact of a pregnancy termination following prenatal diagnosis.
Speak to your clinical genetics team, your fertility consultant, and a specialist counsellor. Use our Clinic Matching tool to find clinics near you and compare true costs. And give yourself the time and space to make the right decision for you.
PGT-M FAQs
Does PGT-M guarantee a healthy baby?
No. PGT-M is highly accurate for the specific condition it’s designed to test for, but it does not screen for all possible genetic conditions, chromosomal abnormalities, or developmental differences. It significantly reduces the risk of having a child with the tested condition, but no test offers a complete guarantee. [8]
Does PGT-M tell you gender?
As a by-product of some testing methods, gender information may become available to the laboratory. But in the UK, clinics and labs are not permitted to disclose an embryo’s sex for non-medical reasons. Sex selection is only permitted where it’s clinically necessary — for example, when testing for X-linked conditions where sex is directly relevant to whether an embryo is affected.
Can single people use PGT-M?
Yes. While PGT-M most commonly involves couples, single people who carry a hereditary condition can access PGT-M using donor sperm or donor eggs alongside their own IVF cycle, subject to the same HFEA licensing and eligibility requirements.
Can I do PGT-M if my condition isn’t yet licensed by the HFEA?
If a condition is not currently on the HFEA list, a licensed clinic can apply to the HFEA for approval on your behalf. Licence approvals are typically made within 2 to 3 months, though this adds to your overall timeline. [7]
Sources
- Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. Pre-implantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) and Pre-implantation genetic testing for chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR). Published 5 April 2016.
- Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. Approved PGT-M and PTT conditions. Published 20 July 2016.
- NHS Guy’s and St Thomas’, NHS Foundation Trust. Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-M/SR). Last updated August 2025.
- Wang Y, Zhao S. Vascular Biology of the Placenta. San Rafael (CA): Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences; 2010. Chapter 4, Cell Types of the Placenta.
- De Rycke M, Berckmoes V. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders. Genes (Basel). 2020 Jul 31;11(8):871. doi: 10.3390/genes11080871. PMID: 32752000; PMCID: PMC7463885.
- Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. PGT-P is not lawful in the UK, is not supported by evidence, and may reduce the chances of having a baby overall. Published 4 February 2026.
- NHS England, National Genomics Education Programme. Preimplantation genetic testing. Reviewed 14 October 2025.
- NHS Manchester University, NHS Foundation Trust. Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT). Updated January 2023.
- Seen Fertility. How Much Does IVF Cost in the UK? (Updated for 2026). Updated 18 November 2025.
- CRGH. Pricelist.
3,500+ verified clinic reviews from real patients.