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21 day test?

7 replies

flyingplum · 01/05/2019 11:39

Sorry for the double post (also in conception...)

Am currently undergoing blood tests for fertility issues, and need to book the second, '21 day' test. I have long cycles, so it won't actually be on day 21, but my cycles are also a little unpredictable/irregular in length, so working out exactly when my period will be is tricky. I can sometimes do it based on cervical mucus, but haven't had such obvious signs this month...last month I had a really long 47 day cycle, so perhaps this month is the same, but if it's back to my usual 35-39 days, then I should book for Friday.

What do I do if I go for the bloods on Friday, but then don't get my period? Do I book another appointment? I did ask the doctor this in my initial appointment, but he really wasn't very helpful...

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Kelly199 · 01/05/2019 11:57

@flyingplum I'm not too sure as my case was slightly different as I'm fairly regular with periods between 29-36 days.
My gyn booked bloods for what would be my predicted day 21 and day 26. At the time, my day 26 were my accurate.
Perhaps you could call your gp for advice? X

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DianaBlythe · 01/05/2019 12:05

When they say day 21 they actually mean 7 days before your period is due.

If you have irregular cycles you may need to do the test a couple of times to catch the right time.

If you are usually 35 days then day 28 would probably be a good starting point. Who is organising the test for you? Is it the GP? May be worth requesting a phone call and seeing if they would give you a couple of request forms or any specific pointers. You could then do say say 28 and day 33 or something this cycle?

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/05/2019 14:43

Have they also done a day 2 test to compare your LH level against that of FSH?. If not this blood test should also be done too.

You can do these tests according to calendar days if the menstrual cycle is irregular i.e. the 21st of the month. Would not bother with cervical mucus; this is a poor indicator of ovulation anyway and with irregular cycles the chances are you are not ovulating regularly.

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flyingplum · 01/05/2019 22:09

Atilla - I'm not so much using CM to determine whether ovulation deffo happens, but I have to somehow work out when my period will start, and this is my best indicator given that i don't have constant length (last few have been 47, 38, 34, 37...you get the picture). Usually, EWCM means I'm about 15 days from the end of my cycle. I don't know how else I'm going to predict the day?!

I'm organising the tests...I just have to ring and make the appt. is it possible to ask the GP for advice on the phone? I hardly ever go to the doctors so I don't really know the protocol...

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flyingplum · 01/05/2019 22:15

Oh, and yes, I had a whole bunch of tests taken earlier in my cycle for a bazillion different things. Was in day 4 though (told to book on days 1-5)

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FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF · 02/05/2019 17:41

Ovulation tests to help find ovulation time and then you could book the test for around 7 days after that.

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flyingplum · 11/05/2019 13:20

Just to say, thank you for the advice all. I booked the test based on when I predicted my cycle would end, and spoke to the practice nurse, who basically said not to worry about getting it perfect, they would refer me anyway on the basis of my cycles. So we shall see what happens this week as to whether I got the day right based on avg cycle length, or if my guess on CM means i was a week too early...either way, got confirmation on thursday that they've made the referral, so guess i just have to sit out the list now.