Blood test results - I need help interpreting them. Is anyone around?

[daisydotandgertie]

I am having a very long cycle at the moment. I'm currently on day 82 and have had a few days spotting and some very faint BFPs.

I've been to the doc a couple of times, first for an HCG test (negative) and most recently for a full hormone test.

I've just got the results and they're all normal apparently; the details are

LH 6.1
FSH 4.6
TSH normal
full blood count - normal
HCG less than 1.

This morning I got another faint BFP.

The doc has now referred me to a gynaecologist - both to find out where my period has gone, and to help us get pg.

I feel all at sea. This period is the first and only odd one I've ever had. I had a miscarriage in April and have had normal cycles since. There has been no build up to this that I can see.

Can anyone tell me what the numbers I've got mean - and can anyone help with what to ask the gynaecologist? I don't really know where to start or what's going to happen.

[daisydotandgertie]

Anyone?

[2ndDestiny]

From these tests, it looks like your thyroid function is normal. The LH and FSH results are both normal, below 6 is supposed to be very good for FSH. The HCG simply indicates that you are not pregnant.

I'm surprised they've called these a 'full hormone test'. If your cycles have become irregular they should test your testosterone levels as well to rule out PCOS. And possibly your prolactin levels which can also cause irregular cycles.

Was the BFP on a HPT or an ov strip? If you are talking about a pg test, then if the blood test was taken some time before your spotting and your BFPs then it could just be out of date, and the spotting and the BFPs could indicate very very early pregnancy. I'd wait a few days and test again, or go back for a repeat blood test.

If it turns out you're not pg then you shd ask your Gynae to establish the cause of your missing periods by doing more comprehensive hormone tests and an ultrasound scan. Then if there's a problem they can start treating it.

Best of luck.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Your LH and FSH levels are actually out of sync; this is why they need to be compared with one another (they can look okay if only looked at as separate items. Ideally these two hormone levels should be the same).

A condition called polycystic ovaries is is a common cause of periods going haywire. It also affects ovulation but it can be treated.

I am glad you are being referred to a gynae, you need a diagnosis first and foremost.

[daisydotandgertie]

Attila & Destiny Thank you!

Destiny - They meant to test my prolactin, but it got missed off the list. I have to go back and get it done again. They've not mentioned testosterone tests, or PCOS; can PCOS just appear from nowhere?

They seem more concerned about the acute onset of this odd cycle rather than much else.

The BFP was on a HPT, but the most recent negative blood test was taken on Monday, and the faint BFP happened yesterday. The spotting doesn't seem to make much sense - it was on days 50-58 and 67-70.

The doc rang later on yesterday to say that I have to go for an ultrasound too.

I've tested again this morning and got a slightly stronger BFP.

Attila I didn't know that about LH & FSH. Turns out there's a lot I don't know about! I wonder what can cause the 2 levels to be out of sync - any idea where I can find out?

Everything I've read, both on here and on the www, is clear that hormone tests should be taken on specific cycle days. As I've no idea where I am in this cycle I question the valididy of the hormone results anyway. Am I right? Or barking?

We're going away tomorrow for a fortnight, so I am extra pissed off about not knowing what's going on.

Although I'd be over the moon to be pg, the faint BFPs just aren't helping at the moment.

[sunburntats]

Im watching this with interest as i have had similar testing and im not sure of the interpretation either.

progesterone levels on day 21 were 13

cant rmemebr the others.

I dont have policystic ovaries or anything like that...that i am aware of anyway.

Got an appointment with the gynae chapy in a couple of weeks.

im worried though.

[daisydotandgertie]

sunburn - you and me both!

It's not much fun is it?

[sunburntats]

Its no fun at all.
Its all so uncertain as well.
I am going to see gynae man with some questions. I need to get my head around it all, need to make sense of it.
Then i will be able to put a plan into action.

I am cross with myself for not going for testing sooner, i have put it off month by month..."maybe this month we may get lucky"...now years have gone by and motnh after month nothing OR mc.

[2ndDestiny]

Hi Daisy

I think I can answer some of your questions, I've been through so many tests myself recently!

Ok. Firstly, when your LH and FSH are out of sync that can indicate PCOS - however yours are only very very slightly off - usually the ratio with PCOS is 2:1 or higher BUT it can vary considerably. That's why I'd recommend getting the testosterone as that might give you a clearer picture. The ultrasound can also help to diagnose PCOS.

I don't want to scare you cause you may not have it, but it's a very very common cause of cycle irregularities. In my experience PCOS CAN just come out of the blue - I was diagnosed with it this year after a mc, having never suspected it, as I've had regular ovulatory cycles for most of my adult life (but I've been on the pill a fair bit too, which masks the symptoms). It usually means you've always had it but have not had any symptoms of note. It can get worse if you gain weight, or in my case, it seemed to suddenly get worse when I went through a period of acute emotional stress.

ABout specific cycle days: no, you should not discard these tests. The reason for taking LH/FSH on day 3 where possible is to avoid recording a freak high value from the surge of these hormones just before ovulation. Yours are not high enough for that.

As for the BFP - I can't help you there! The spotting you describe sounds a bit long and probably not timed quite right to be implantation bleeding. It's going to be hard but you probably need to go away, enjoy your trip, and maybe take a HPT with you and test again in about a week, if you can hold out that long. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it's a nice clear BFP by then.

[sunburntats]

Think that a possibility is that i may have polycystic overies without the syndrome. Although a uss of my overies at my lasy mc showed them to be normal in apearance. odd to say the least.

I just dont understand why progesterone levels can be so low, what can cause that other than po?

[2ndDestiny]

Hi sunburntats, it is certainly possible to have PCO without the syndrome (i.e. without an abnormal hormone profile or any symptoms). They can be difficult to diagnose when you've just been pregnant, mine also showed up normal after my MC, but PCO 3 months later.

The low progesterone indicates that either you did not ovulate that cycle - in which case you need further investigations to find out why, so it's good that you have the Gynae appt. But if you weren't sure when you were supposed to ovulate, it could also just indicate that it was taken at the wrong time of the cycle and therefore gives an inconclusive result. They call it a 'day 21 test' as if everyone has a textbook 28 day cycle but many of us don't. It needs to be done 7 days after suspected ov / 7 days before your period is due.

[daisydotandgertie]

Thanks Destiny - I also had a miscarriage in April and had two horrible periods since then. And before that had a Mirena for four years, so I suppose that could have also masked all sorts of horrors!

I did have fairly normal cycles between the Mirena going over a hedge and the mc though.

The best news from the tests is that I don't show any signs of menopause! I was terrified that was the problem.

Sunburn - when are you seeing the gynae? If it's any help, I've put off visiting the doctor too. I thought I'd be treated like a neurotic fool, told I'm too fat, too old and I should stop wasting their time.

It's very, very good to know there's someone else in the same boat.

[sunburntats]

Got my 3rd appointment with him in a couple of weeks. I have not yet met him however, get different Docs each time i go.

After 4 mcs, i asked to be referred. They were not going to, i had to specifically ask.

It takes on average 1.5-2 years to get pregnant. Then have mc, always before 10 weeks.

Had bloods for karyotyping, dh gave a sample.
dh had to give bloods for karyotyping so they will be back for my appointment. I will ask for them to be explained to me.

It should all fit into place i think that the expalnation should be around the corner for me now. Thanks goodness.

So Clomid, in the new year..here i come!!