TTC 2 years +. All tests have come back fine - anyone else?

[liveinhope100]

Hi all,

I have been ttc for over 2 years now and it's been awful, traumatic and draining! I've had almost every single test done - Hycosy (tubes clear, textbook uterus etc), blood tests, multiple external and internal scans etc). My OH had his SA test and all came back fine (slightly acidic and high viscosity) but they said the main factors are all fine.

I just wanted to hear from anyone else that have had all tests come back fine because I don't understand it. I know some of us are just unlucky but I feel like something is wrong with me and they have not found out yet.

I self medicated on soy isoflavones about half a year ago, that was the first time i ever got a BFP with my OH which ended up being a chemical pregnancy.

My gynae says i may have PCO - did 4 rounds of Clomid and trigger shot - nothing. I even ovulated naturally the following cycle so ovulation is not the problem which I thought it could have been.

I don't know what to think anymore but i've basically given up trying to get pregnant naturally and am now saving for IVF but would love to hear from anyone in similar situation.

[TheArtfulScreamer1]

Not quite similar as we're a bit further on our journey however we started TTC in 2013 with not a hint of a BFP, similar to you all our tests came back normal with no obvious or apparent issues other than a hydrosalapinx (fluid filled fallopian) which was removed and although could've hampered fertility wouldn't render us infertile we eventually after 5 years TTC had IVF and were sucessful on our first round. Since our DD was born in March we've not used contraception and as of yet no BFPs so we will be using our only frozen embryo next year once I've returned to work. Sometimes unexplained is really just undiagnosed as, as of yet the NHS hasn't developed or doesn't offer a test for it whatever it maybe.

[liveinhope100]

@TheArtfulScreamer1 thank you for your reply. It's good to hear from someone further along in the journey. I definitely think I am doing the right thing regarding IVF. And i definitely intend to freeze embryo for the future. Thanks again

[Sshsecretenclosed]

Hi. We are nearly approaching three years since I came off the pill. I've had bloods -all normal except borderline thyroid which I'm now taking thyroxine for. DH has bloods normal - except thyroid so also taking thyroxine!
His SA has come back with 109m count, good motility but 2.5 morphology so needs a repeat!

[Iwouldbecomplex]

TTC for a few years, had 4 failed IVF cycles so far. Similar situation for us when we had the NHS tests - nothing at all out of the ordinary. 'Unexplained' infertility. We then went and had a private semen analysis and discovered DH had high anti sperm antibodies (something the NHS don't look for in their tests). We sorted that out. Then after 3 failed cycles I decided to push for even more investigation and managed to get referred for a laparoscopy which diagnosed stage 4 endometriosis. I then followed that up with a private MRI which diagnosed adenomyosis. We had another failed ivf cycle after that and now I'm looking at testing and potentially treating immune issues as that can be related to endo.

What I'm trying to say is just because the NHS have done all their standard tests and told you all is good you should consider having some more in-depth private tests or seeing if you can get some more explorations done on the NHS. The NHS tests don't cover all bases and you might save yourself a lot of time and heartache if you find out what the issue is early on and treat it alongside your IVF.

Read this:

genesisresearchtrust.com/askrobert-questions-and-answers/laparoscopy-hysterosalpingogram/

[Iwouldbecomplex]

I forgot to say I also had most level 1 immune testing done at my GP (I had to take a list in and ask nicely but they did it). The couple they couldn't do i paid for privately but it only cost about £200. Another thing you can try testing for.

[Sshsecretenclosed]

@Iwouldbecomplex thank you for your advice. I'd be really interested in that list please

[Iwouldbecomplex]

Hi @Sshsecretenclosed

I have had the following blood tests done:

Hormone profile (LH / FSH / AMH / Progesterone)
Infection testing (Rubella / HepB / HIV / Hep C / Chlamydia)
Full blood count
Oestradiol
Anti-nuclear antibodies
Cardiolipin antibodies
Rheumatoid factor
Smooth muscle
MITO / LKM / GPC
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies
Lupus anticoagulant screen
ESR
Urea and Electrolytes
Free Androgen Index – testosterone
Hepatic (liver)
Oestrediol
Prolactin
Testosterone profile
Thyroid function panel
T4 and TSH
Immunoglobulin A, G, M
Proteins
DHEA & DHEAS

I also had the hidden infection testing done via Serum in Greece. And my husband and I both had karyotyping done.

We didn't get them all done at once. I had more tests after each failed cycle.

Most were done via my GP (you may have to find a sympathetic one as I have heard that some people are refused some of these by their GP). The ones I had to do privately were the karyotyping (£1000 for both of us), hidden infection tests via Greece (£200), DHEA & DHEAS (£40), Immunoglobulins (£80).

[Iwouldbecomplex]

The above list covers what the call the 'Level 1' immune testing. So all the basic stuff. More in depth 'Level 2' immune testing costs about £2000 and can't be done on the NHS.

You could also look at doing an endometrial biopsy with Dr Quenby in Coventry for about £200, although people usually only do that once they have had a failed IVF / miscarrages / chemical pregnancies.- here's the link:

warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/biomedical/tem/bru/

The bloods, Hycosy, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, MRI, hidden infection tests, karyotyping and Coventry biopsy is everything I can think of testing wise for women. For men there's private semen analysis, infection screening, karyotyping, vitamin D testing and sperm DNA fragmentation testing.

I hope that helps.