having a day 21 blood test to check I'm ovulating

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

I've got to have one next week. Does anyone have any experience of this? What happens next if the blood test isn't good news?

TIA

[mistletoeprickles]

Theres lots of experts on here and unfortunately I'm not one but maybe able to help a bit.

Have you had a day 3 test too?

From what I understand a day 21 blood test is only really any use if you have a 28 day cycle. If you dont have a regular cycle then day 3 and day 21 bloods should be taken to compare LH, FSH and progesterone.

Hope this helps a bit

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Thank you. I have a regular 26 day cycle so she's adjusted for that and is doing the test on day 19. I haven't been offered a day 3 blood test yet but I'll enquire about that at my apointment.

Thanks you so much for your reply, I've been so worried.

[Tootsiepops]

Your GP or fertility clinic should ask for your day 21 test to be repeated before they diagnose anything. Most fertility tests are blood work at this point. Have you had your thyroid function checked? Rubella immunity? Estrogen? I can give you a list if you'd find that useful (I'm trying not to be a patronising moo).

What happens next will largely depend on whether or not ovulation can be established, but a sensible next step would be a hsg or hycosy to check tubes are open. If you are not ovulating, you will probably be prescribed clomid. If you are ovulating, then your clinic will likely start discussing assisted conception (IUI, ivf, icsi etc).

[Sakura03]

Hi NoArmarni I'm having cd21 bloods done too on 17th and I'm also booked in to have blood test done on cd2. My Dr told me that sometimes they have to repeat the cd21 bloods. If they come back fine the next step will be sa. A friend of mine had a blue dye scan done (sorry not sure what the correct terminology is) and found she had a blocked tube so she told me to push for the scan if no sign of ov. Good luck

[Tootsiepops]

Day 21 bloods should always be repeated. You should insist on this during fertility investigations in case the month you are tested is an anomaly.

The dye test is known as either a HSG or a hycosy. I think the preference now is for hycosy over hsg, but there's not much to pick between them. You should insist on having tubes checked either way (if ovulation is detected or not) as it's an important tubal problems are identified or eliminated as a cause of fertility issues.

In some cases, women have a laparoscopy - more commonly referred to and a 'lap & dye'. It's a day keyhole surgery and the benefit of this over a hsg or hycosy is that if any problems are identified - endometriosis for example - the surgeon can attempt to deal with it whilst you are under general anaesthetic whereas that's not possible with an hsg or hycosy, although I have heard of small tubal blockages clearing due to the action of having dye pushed through. An additional bonus is that fertility is said to be increased for three months after as your tubes have had a good spring clean if they've been able to flush the dye through :)

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Thanks for the replies. I've not had thyroid function tested, they are going to test rubella immunity at the same blood test next week. She did say whatever happens that the test would be repeated the following month.

I went to the GP about bleeding between periods. I wasn't even expecting any investigations yet as I haven't been trying for a year yet. I thought she'd tell me to come back in a few months, so I'm glad she's looking into things for me already.

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Had my test on Monday, trying not to overthink while I wait for the results.

[Sakura03]

Hi NoArmani I had my test done yesterday, are they going to do the day 2 test on you as well? I've then got an appointment booked to see my Dr in about 12 days time to discuss results etc. Let us know how you get on, good luck

[Disneybelle]

Hi, I had the day 21 test just before Xmas and my other half had a sperm test and both came back ok. Gp then put in for a referral at the fertility unit at the hospital and we had that appointment a couple of weeks ago. OH has to do another sperm test and I had blood taken then and there for AMH and chlamydia. Then have to wait for next period to arrive and go for another blood test on day 3 and also get booked in for a hsg. They won't let you book in for this until your period arrives so they know you definitely aren't pregnant as it could be harmful.

They have suggested that all this will be done over the next couple of months and we should get an appointment to review all the results in June some time. So a bit of a wait but feel better knowing that we have a plan of action! So from first visit to gp in November to hopefully knowing where we are going will have taken 6 months which I suppose isn't too bad really.

[Sakura03]

disneybelle thanks for sharing! My body is playing games with me and for the first time ever I've just had a 23d cycle when I'm normally 26 days, so I had to phone my surgery as I was meant to have blood test done on day 2 which is today and they are closed but was told to come in on Tuesday as already arranged as day 5 is fine, so we'll see.. How are you getting on NoArmani?

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

I'm having an unusual cycle too. Normally I'm spotting by now, it was the spotting I went to the GP about initially. But I'm 3 days before period and no sign of any spotting.

When I went for my blood test an HCA took it and she said I need to ask my GP about any questions rather than her so I'll ask about further tests when I get my results on Monday.

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Can't stop thinking about my results tomorrow. Don't know which is harder to fix - ovulating but not getting pregnant or not ovulating at all.

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

I'm confused now, called up for my results, was told progesterone levels are normal and I don't need any more appointments, I'm not sure where I should be going from here.

[DizzyMerry]

How long have you been ttc for? Has your DP had sperm analysis? If you don't mind me asking.
I would arrange an appointment to see your GP to discuss this and also arrange day 3 blood tests. If you have been trying for a while ask for a referral to the fertility clinic

[Sakura03]

That's seems a bit odd NoArmani, my dr told me I'd need the two blood tests and if they are fine, my partner would need to do a SA. Having my second blood test tomorrow morning. I'd go back to the Drs if I were you.

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Thanks for your replies. It's just coming up for a year of TTC and I'm 33. I'll make an appt to go back to the GP.

[DizzyMerry]

Have a read of the NICE guidelines regarding fertility referrals/treatment so that you are armed with info when you see your GP. Yours may be supportive but there are some who try to fob you off and at least that way you know what to expect

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Great advice, thanks. Without MN I wouldn't have a clue what to ask for

[DizzyMerry]

I've been there fertility issues and I'm going through it all again! Good luck

[DizzyMerry]

*with fertility issues

[mrschatty]

Hi everyone didn't want to read and run but found this forum v informative. DH and I been ttc for 18m now waiting results of SA (sample was dropped off on Tuesday) and I have day 21 bloods 10 am tomorrow. Feel good that were starting to get the ball rolling! X

[DizzyMerry]

That's good mrschatty and hopefully you will have some answers soon. Why don't you come and join us on the conception buses? There's loads of advice and support there from many of us in a similar situation

[mrschatty]

Yeah I'd like that! Feel like I'm needing a wee bit of support at the min!! I'll come over and check them out now xx