Prog/TSH/LSH/WTF???????

[tiptoptally]

Can someone help me make sense of my most recent day 21 results please, I've got to wait to see my regular gp and i'm worried :(

I'm 36 and been trying to conceive for a good while now with no luck. I still have regular periods (roughly 28/29 days with the odd 35 day cycle) but my last two day 21 day tests have shown that I didn't ovulate. I've just had the results of a 3rd day 21 test and it's shown my progesterone level to be 1.7, which I'm sure is lower than last time it was checked, LSH 672 (whatever that means) and TSH of 8.67 (have had borderline thyroid problems for a while).

Does anyone know what the 'norm' should be for these figures and if my numbers are so skewed I'll never have a baby?? :( (I'm having a "I'm going to be childless and alone" pity party with myself at the moment )

Thanks

[PieMistress]

Hi tip from my inexperienced/untrained eye thse figures just don't look 'right' IYSWIM (as in were they taken at the wrong time of the month?). Do you know when you ovulate as this will affect the progesterone level result. I have a 28 day cycle but ovulate on CD17, for example with a 10/11 day luteal phase. You might ovulate on CD11 with a 16 day luteal phase. Do you track your ovulation by temperature charting/using fertility friend or anything? It's really useful, or by using OPKs?

I think they like to see 30+ for progesterone levels to indicate a good ovulation. Mine were regularly in the low 20s but I knew I was ovulating as had all the signs (ie/ EWCM, temperature rise, positive OPKs etc) but that they probably weren't 'strong enough' ovulations (am 39).

The other one is confusing as you get your FSH and LH levels taken on CD3? I think mine were FSH - 12.7 (not good) and LH - 8 (they like them to be the same and FSH to be under 10). TSH I think they like to see under 3 but I couldn't say for sure.

I would ask for your figures again, and go again this month for repeat CD3 (LH & FSH levels) and CD21 (or 7 days before your period normally starts).

Acupuncture can also help (it did help me) and also vitamin B6 as it's supposed to help increase progesterone (again, I found it helped me) x

[PopcornMouse]

Your TSH is higher than it should be ideally, tally - it should be 5, max, preferably lower. Has the GP suggested medication? I think, if you've been ttc for a good while, I'd think about giving it a go.

[tiptoptally]

Hi
Thanks for the responses. I went back to the gp last week and spoke to him again today - he "doesn't see the point" in testing on day 3 (Can anyone explain to me what they should be looking for on day 3 again?), and keeps harping on that my day 21 test LAST FEBRUARY should that I ovulated, therefore it must just be "one of those things" that I didn't ovulate when they tested on day 21 in March, June, October and December!!
Apparently I'm being a bit 'paranoid' about the TSH figure, but he'll test it again in a week and if it is still high (it's being getting progressively higher for the past few years) he'll think about medication.
I'm confused, upset, and feeling like I'm not being taken seriously by the gp about this at all. Yes, maybe I did ovulate last year, but a year feels REALLY long when you're trying for a baby :-( , as I'm sure you're all well aware.

[tiptoptally]

anyone know what the day 3 tests are for???

[MagnumIcecreamAddict]

You're tsh sounds pretty high. Ask what your t4 was. If that's low they should have also checked your t3. If both low you are hypothyroid and need medication. If not then reasonable to wait and recheck.
You're gp sounds like an idiot. Ask for a second opinion or if not feasible then change gp. Or demand a referral to a fertility clinic. That's what I'd do.
Think you're being messed about.
Best of luck

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

tiptop

I would see another GP within this practice or change GP practice if they continue to be unhelpful.

Day 3 test is important as this compares your LH level against that of your FSH level; normally these two should be the same. LH and FSH are two very important hormones as they kickstart the ovulation process; if these are awry then ovulation will be affected.

If you have had problems with the thyroid gland before now it is imperative that you have both accurate and up to date test results as that can interfere with ovulation.

A referral to a gynae should be made after 6 months if you are over 35. Any test result done over 6 months ago should be discounted, you need up to date test results now along with a referral.

It is all too easy to be fobbed off and this GP seems to have messed you around out of complete ignorance.

[tiptoptally]

thank you for the reassurance that the gp should be doing more - i was starting to think i was going mad!! it feels right now like i'm just going backwards and forwards to a gp who doesn't know what he's doing. I've just turned 36, so will definately be pushing for a referral, I really really can't believe they are relying on a year old test as proof that everything is fine....grrr!

[bugsylugs]

just posted you a really really long post and it is lost think it has timeed out.

[bugsylugs]

I will try again but briefer so no timing out.
How long have you been ttc and has OH had a sperm analysis (SA)
I am really anti GP slagging on this site, I know you OP have not. However I do think it sounds like this is not your GPs speciality (mind you it is not really covered in the curriculum). I would suggest if you want to see the same one again that you go in and politely request a referral it is your right as per NICE guidelines as you are over 35 and you have been ttc for more than 6 months (you can google them). If more that one in practice maybe worth seeing someone else.

TSH normal UK values are 0.5-5 if outside as Magnum said you should be having T4 and T3 done. Even if T4 and T3 normal there is increasing evidence that a TSH above 2 affects fertility and some clinics are treating in these situations with thyroxine. USA has lowered the upper limit of normal.

It is extremely improtant that LH and FSH are done in the first few days of your cycle after that they rise and are impossible to interpret. Can you put your LH and FSH down again no LSH
Normal ranges LH 0.5-14.5 follicular and luteal phases, 16-84 ovulation, 17-75 postmenopause. As you can see if done later in cycle you cannot tell between ovulation and menopause. However you are having periods so not menopause. Suggest your Gp looks at www.gpnotebook.co.uk maybe you could look at it and print off the ref values and show why you want a day 3 test.

Clinics will want Day 3 as a min LH/FSH, TSH any time, day 21 progesterone and AMH (if you can persuade GP to dp) May want Testosterone, also OH needs SA if all these are done pre referral they can give you more idea that if you have to have them done and then wait another 3 months for another appt.

Do not give up or despair. Even if you are not ovulating all the time there are things that can be done to kick start your system.

You are not wasting their time, if you have been ttc for more than 6 months which I guess you have from your bloods they are wasting your time and your fertile time, so referral where in the country are you? Good luck

[tiptoptally]

thank you bugsylugs - I will definately find and print off the info from the site you mentioned and pass them onto my gp. My partner has had SA and it was definately (more than!) ok, so that's one less thing to worry about.
I am having my thyroid retested on Wednesday and, dependant on the results, will push for thyroxine (one more barrier to pregnancy hopefully ticked off the list).
Fingers crossed that once GP understands WHY i want these tests, I will get them done/referred to someone who specialises in this. I just feel that the longer it takes, the more opportunities I am missing.

Feeling MUCH less isolated/confused/despairing now - in fact, I may even be optimistic about it all again for the first time in a long time. THANK YOU ALL :)

[bugsylugs]

When was your last tsh? not sure if that was last yr as well. ( should be having them done at least every 6 months ideally every 3-4) If less than 6 weeks the lab probably will not process it.
Was it you FSH or LH that was 600+ and was it 600 or 60 (600 just sounds wrong).

We had probs ttc were told we needed ICSI but had miracle DS naturally think it was just sod cannot do this on our own and body went great you have relaxed I can do something. Just completed ICSI and bricking it re repeat scan next week. So there is usually some light