At a glance
A practical checklist of questions to ask before a PGT IVF consultation in Thailand, covering PGT indications, laboratory arrangements, timelines, costs, and international patient logistics.
Preparing for a PGT IVF consultation in Thailand can feel overwhelming, especially when you are travelling from another country. The most useful preparation is a written list of questions that helps you understand whether PGT is appropriate for your situation, how the clinic organises its laboratory work, what the timeline looks like, and what costs and travel arrangements you should plan for. This checklist groups questions by topic so you can take notes, compare answers, and identify what still needs clarification before you commit to a treatment plan.
At a glance
- Ask about PGT indications first, because not every patient needs or benefits from the same test.
- Clarify whether the clinic performs PGT in-house or sends samples to an external laboratory.
- Request a written timeline that includes consultation, stimulation, retrieval, biopsy, testing, and transfer.
- Ask for a cost breakdown by category rather than a single package figure.
- Confirm what documents, visas, and travel windows you should plan for, and verify them with the relevant authority.
- Keep a written record of every answer so you can compare clinics consistently.
Before you book: questions about your own situation
Start by gathering information you can bring to any clinic. These questions help you describe your history clearly and reduce the chance of repeating tests unnecessarily.
- What fertility diagnoses, if any, have already been confirmed, and by whom?
- Which previous tests, scans, or treatments have you had, and do you have copies of the reports?
- Are you taking any medication or have any health conditions that could affect treatment planning?
- What are your priorities: avoiding a specific inherited condition, reducing the chance of a particular chromosomal issue, or something else?
- What is your preferred timeline, and how flexible can you be with travel dates?
PGT indications: what to ask your IVF doctor in Thailand
PGT is not a single test. It covers different types of testing, and the appropriate choice depends on your medical history and the reason testing is being considered. Ask your doctor to explain the reasoning in plain language.
- Which type of PGT are you recommending for my situation, and why?
- What information would this test provide that we would not otherwise have?
- What are the limitations of this test, including the possibility of inconclusive or uninformative results?
- Are there situations in which you would advise against PGT for me?
- How do you decide whether testing should be done on a fresh or frozen embryo cycle?
- What happens if no embryo is suitable for transfer after testing?
- Do you recommend genetic counselling before or after testing, and can you refer me to a qualified counsellor?
Laboratory arrangements and quality questions
Laboratory arrangements vary between clinics. You do not need to become a laboratory expert, but you should understand who handles your samples and how results are reported.
- Is PGT performed in your own laboratory, or is it sent to an external laboratory partner?
- If an external laboratory is used, which one, and how are samples transported?
- What quality checks or accreditation does the laboratory hold, and can you share documentation?
- How long does testing usually take from biopsy to result?
- How are results reported to me, and who explains them?
- What is your policy if a sample fails to produce a result?
- How do you store or dispose of embryos and samples, and what consent is required?
Timeline questions for a PGT consultation in Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand
Timelines depend on your cycle, the clinic’s schedule, and laboratory turnaround. Ask for a realistic range rather than a single number.
- What is the typical sequence of appointments from first consultation to embryo transfer?
- How many days should I plan to stay in Thailand for each stage?
- Can any monitoring be done in my home country, and how would results be shared?
- How much notice do you need to schedule a retrieval or transfer?
- What could delay the timeline, and how would I be informed?
- If I need to return home between stages, how does that affect planning?
Cost questions: what to ask for in writing
Costs vary widely depending on the clinic, the type of PGT, medication, and the number of cycles. Rather than asking for a single total, ask for a category-by-category breakdown so you can compare clinics fairly.
| Cost category | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Consultation and monitoring | Which appointments are included, and which are charged separately? |
| Medication | Is medication included, estimated separately, or purchased locally? |
| Retrieval and laboratory work | What is included in the retrieval fee, and what is billed per embryo? |
| PGT testing | Is the fee per embryo, per batch, or a flat rate? What happens if testing fails? |
| Embryo storage | Is there an initial storage period, and what are renewal terms? |
| Transfer | Is a fresh or frozen transfer included, and are there additional fees? |
| Travel and accommodation | What should I budget for flights, lodging, and local transport? |
Ask for the breakdown in writing, including currency, payment schedule, and refund or cancellation terms. Confirm whether prices are guaranteed or subject to change.
International patient questions IVF clinics should be able to answer
Cross-border care involves logistics beyond the medical plan. These questions help you prepare without assuming any particular rule applies to you.
- What documents do you require from international patients, and how should they be submitted?
- Do you provide interpretation or translated consent forms?
- How do you communicate with patients before, during, and after treatment?
- What support do you offer for travel, accommodation, and local transport?
- How do you handle follow-up care once I return home?
- What should I confirm with my own embassy or immigration authority about entry and stay requirements?
- How do you protect my medical records and personal data?
Fertility consultation checklist: what to bring and what to do next
Use this short checklist to organise your preparation.
- Collect copies of previous test results, scans, and treatment records.
- Write down your medical history, medications, and allergies.
- List your top three questions for the doctor and leave space for notes.
- Ask for a written treatment plan, timeline, and cost breakdown.
- Confirm laboratory arrangements and how results will be explained.
- Ask what could change the plan and how you would be informed.
- Check document, visa, and travel requirements with the relevant authority.
- Compare answers from more than one clinic before deciding.
How to use the answers you receive
After your consultation, review your notes against these categories: medical reasoning, laboratory arrangements, timeline, costs, and international logistics. If an answer is vague, ask a follow-up question. It is reasonable to request written confirmation of key points. You may also want to ask whether a second opinion is possible before starting treatment. For more background, see our guide to PGT in Thailand, browse patient resources, or contact us with questions. You can also review our FAQ for general information.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask about PGT at a first consultation in Thailand?
Ask which type of PGT is being recommended and why, what information it would provide, what its limitations are, and what happens if results are inconclusive or no embryo is suitable for transfer. Also ask whether genetic counselling is recommended.
How do I compare costs between PGT IVF clinics in Thailand?
Request a written breakdown by category, such as consultation, medication, retrieval, laboratory work, PGT testing, storage, and transfer. Ask whether fees are per embryo or per cycle, what is included, and what the payment and cancellation terms are. Avoid comparing single total figures without knowing what they cover.
Should I ask whether the clinic uses an external laboratory?
Yes. It is reasonable to ask whether PGT is performed in-house or by an external laboratory partner, how samples are transported, what quality checks apply, and how results are reported and explained to you.
What documents or visa arrangements should I confirm before travelling?
Document, visa, and entry requirements depend on your nationality and personal circumstances. Ask the clinic what it requires from international patients, but verify entry and stay rules with your own embassy or the relevant immigration authority.
How long should I plan to stay in Thailand for PGT IVF?
Timelines vary with your cycle, the clinic's schedule, and laboratory turnaround. Ask the clinic for a realistic range for each stage and how much notice is needed for retrieval or transfer. Confirm whether any monitoring can be done in your home country.
Continue your research
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.
Need help turning research into a shortlist?
