2023 TTC 35+ Part 5

Thanks @Angelsrose , all really good to know. I felt as though he referred me to palm me off, he didn't seem too fussed about what I actually had to say it was a very quick over the phone appointment, I thought it may have been in person and a bit more detailed but it is what it is.

I now know there is a female GP at my practice that specialises in gynae and women's health, I will try and book in specifically with her when I call tomorrow, fingers crossed!

@H0pefull I forgot about prolactin, that can also be included in the NHS tests. The ones I know are not routinely done in the NHS by GPs are anti- Mullerian hormone and DHEA.
However it looks like those will be covered by hertility. Anti-Mullerian tests would likely be done by the gynaecology team once you see them as it is a good marker of ovarian reserve.
Most GPs would undertake the tests I've already mentioned in my last post. However you mentioned your GP had referred you to gynaecology without bloods. If there is a GP with an interest in women's health at your practice, I would go to them. Although not always the case, it may be best to consult a female GP.

Its def worth seeing your b12 number
Thats important for conception and pregnancy

My friend has the injections
But her number is still below 100

Before our early miscarriage - i had b12 issues - we got it up to 370 before the early miscarriage but recently before that b12 was just 147 etc. Then added more foods with b12 to get it to 200 - then with supplements too - 300 & something currently

Eggs a few times a week

Jacket potato / mash potato often

I bought b12 nutritional yeast to put on pasta too

Thanks everyone for your replies, I have made a list to put forward to my GP tomorrow :)

I have regular B12 injections anyway as I am deficient in that, Vit D would be a good one to check also.

I am going to order the hertility test you have mentioned @worldwidetravel2017 , a few of my cousins have done this too and found it really useful. Will let you know how I get on!

Just heading into the TWW for me currently (AF Due next Thurs / Fri) hope everyone else is getting on ok?

Hope all is progressing well for you @VixFromThe6ix xx

Great minds think alike

@H0pefull
Given that we are entering uk winter
And given that theres a miscarriage and vit d deficiency link
& that vit D can take few months to fix

Makes sense to ask 4 vit D test too

@H0pefull and also request vitamin d levels. Hope this helps.

Hi @H0pefull the tests that you should ask for and the GP can provide are:
FSH and LH - follicle stimulating hormone, lutenising hormone
(best taken days 2 to 6 of your cycle), thyroid, ferritin, B12 and folate, full blood count, liver and kidney function and androgen profile. I think oestrogen (oestradiol) can also be tested for, that could be useful. Day 21 progesterone (or 7 days after ovulation if your cycle is not exactly 28 days). I think someone mentioned CA125 which is a tumour marker for ovarian cancer. This is not standard in NHS fertility tests and to the best of my knowledge would only be requested if there was a concern about ovarian cancer. Regarding concerns about endometriosis, a pelvic ultrasound scan and subsequent laparoscopy would be more useful.

@FigandHoney definitely important to eat good fats. My situation is a little different to normal in that I have a liver condition and don’t do well with fatty foods. Because my estradiol was so incredibly high on my day 3 bloods baseline I am trying to reduce this and from a bit of reading I have started reducing Sat fats and increasing fibre, as well as taking new supplements. This is specific to my circumstances, although I think the book ‘it starts with the egg’ refers to reducing sat fats including things like coconut oil that are usually thought of as ‘healthy’ although possibly not great for fertility in large doses.

Dya mind me asking roughly how old you are ?
Some fertility stuff is quicker for older females who have never had a child

My androgen number doesnt coralate with pcos
My hair i get waxed off my chin - gynae said could be hereditary rather than pcos

( my great nana , my nana , my mum - all have/ had chin hair )

@H0pefull I had most of the tests @worldwidetravel2017 refers to, ordered by my GP and due to concerns about irregular periods and because we have been trying 5 months. I have a history though and had the tests to rule out cancer a year ago.

Thank you @worldwidetravel2017 , that's really good to know.

My mum is a twin and both her and her twin sister had endo & had hysterectomies in their late 30's / early 40's. I'm unsure if things like that are hereditary or not, but there is a big history of both endo and PCOS on my mum's side of the family, so may be worth looking into.

I will phone tomorrow and see where I get to with requesting some bloods, thanks again x

You can ask for day 2 & day 21 tests -
Day 21 test as its called should be 3 - 4 days after ovulation

If you have any concerns re pco - you can ask 4 nhs blood test re pco...

You can ask 4 androgen blood test - regarding pcos ...

Thyroid function test can be helpful - boots online dr one is more thorough than nhs 1 as looks at multiple thyroid aspects..

I highly recommend spending 150 gbp
On hormone and fertility test via
Hertility health
Results are detailed & super helpful & can be transferred to nhs records

If you have heavy periods and bloating ask 4 transvaginal scan to rule out ovarian cancer and check 4 fibroids etc...

Also - if you think you could have endo - ask for ca125 blood test - marker 4 inflammation - if that result is abnormal - could speed up gynae

Morning Ladies,

Does anybody have any experience in getting any tests done under their GP? I mentioned last week my GP referred me to gynaecology, I have been on the waiting list since beginning of Aug but was told last week by the hospital it's an indefinite wait and they can't tell me how long it will be.

When I first rang my GP, he just referred me to gynae straight away, and didn't offer any kind of "in house" testing. I just wondered if anybody else has had any testing done at their GP practice, that I could potentially ask for? I understand everywhere is slightly different, but I just thought it may be worth asking just to get some kind of ball rolling while I'm on the gynae wait list.

I am in the UK (North West) if that helps at all.

Thank you xx

@Catson sorry about the BFN

@happytobemrsg I know they shouldn't be trusted after a certain period of time, but hopefully it's a sign of a real BFP to come soon

@Catson Wishful thinking I’m sure, I just can’t stand seeing the BFNs. I was so sad yesterday which is not helpful at all. When I fished out the FRER yesterday I found a vvvvfl. It was either there yesterday morning & my lighting/early morning squinting wasn’t up to the task, or it’s shown up well after the window & shouldn’t be trusted. From previous positives, I know they dry down darker. I’m losing my mind over here

Yes @happytobemrsg give it 72 hours and that should then be a BFP 🤞🏻

@Catson I’ve not tested this morning. If I had implantation bleeding yesterday (unlikely I know) then I’m thinking I need to give it time for the HcG to arrive. Just clutching at straws really

@happytobemrsg BFN this morning. How about you?

@Catson When are you testing next? I’m thinking I might test Thursday or if I can hold off, Friday. AF due tomorrow/Thursday

Well 9 DPO and do not feel any different again. AF due in 2 days as I only have 10 day luteal.
I've been taking magnesium this month, and my usual huge dip in temp happened at 8DPO rather than 7DPO, so kind of hoping this means my luteal might have increased to 11 but shall wait and see! Temp is back up again today, will expect it to start decreasing from tomorrow for AF on Thurs.

@CurlyWurly1991 Eating healthily can't be a bad thing though right. But I do think that according to the fertility diet a bit of fat especially the good kind is actually good for your health. Just found out the author who wrote it starts with the egg also wrote a complimentary cooking book. I am tempted to get it. But not sure whether to get a physical copy or the kindle one.

@happytobemrsg We have all been there. TTC is so hard

@Cressie2 hmm. Think again it's one of those symptoms that could go either way. I am sure thatvelevated progesterone can mess with your emotions. But whether that means bfp not sure. I do hope it is though for you!

So AF is in full flow this morning. Also have my usual hormonal migraine to boot. Joy of joys

To be fair that’s what I did with my first pregnancy @happytobemrsg at 18dpo with my daughter I didnt get a positive on a frer in the timeframe, but it showed later that day…
@SnookyPook I am crossing everything that this is a sticky bean for you x

back at CD1 here after a short anovulatory cycle. I’ve introduced a bunch of new supplements and improved my diet further with much more fibre, less fat and virtually no sugar. Perhaps that’s the cause … I’m probably clutching on to straws rather than accept it’s something like PCOS or impending perimenopause 😬

I can’t help @Catson I always cry at EVERYTHING. I’ve been known to cry at adverts 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’ve turned into THAT person. I pulled this morning’s FRER out of the bin. And pulled it apart. I’ve officially lost the plot