Funding for fertility tests

[munki]

I'm staring a GP appointment in the face, after 12 months unsuccessful ttc. Thing is I already have a little boy so won't qualify for NHS fertility treatment. Can I get tests though? Which ones? And if they found, say, PCOS or fibroids or something, could I have treatment for those?

Thanks

You should be entitled to the barrage of tests (I'm just starting after 18 months). They usually check bloods first off (see if it's your thyroid or if you're not ovulating properly). Dh/dp will need to provide a sample to.be analysed too!
With me I've now got a ?pcos diagnosis. Got an ultrasound appt to check ovaries and general appt with fertility clinic. Depending on what issues there are you would get treatment offered, IUI, I think it's at least a couple of Ivf (though I'm no expert on that).
Good news is:80% couples get pg within 1 year, 90% within 18 months.
Demand ask for the following tests: cd3- lh and fsh levels, cd21 (or really 7 data after ovulation), progesterone for 3 cycles (to get an average to see if you're ovulating) and ask to get your thyroid and testosterone checked. Arrange for dp's sample to be checked. That's the first line tests you need.
Fx everything is ok, you'll obviously need 3 cycles for the bloods and my Dh had to wait 3 months for his appt(!) So it could still happen in that time.

I'm afraid the OP is right. If you already have a child there is no entitlement to testing and treatment at all but your GP might be able to arrange some tests under the radar.

Oh, not even tests? I think I do have PCOS (facial hair, acne, difficult to lose weight) - surely I would get tested for it if I went to the GP about it even if I wasn't ttc?

Oh, also am very bloated, surely I would get tested to check there's nothing serious going on? And don't large cysts have to be removed to prevent them rupturing?

That's one of the ways in which your GP could get some testing done without it falling into the fertility category. But as far as treatment goes I would be very very surprised if you were able to get any via the NHS because of your older child.

I've already got a child and dh has had a sperm analysis and I've had a scan. That was after 8 cycles. I then got pg but mc. If I'm not this month I'm going back to request some bloods, the fact I've got a dd has never come into it.

That's put my mind at rest, thanks Holly and Mel. I just want to know what's wrong - convinced something is. Not expecting ivf or any kind of invasive treatment, and not sure I could handle it anyway - but if I could just know whether there's any point keeping on trying or not it would help. Plus some of these things that can cause infertility seem to have other unpleasant effects too!

I don't have children, am almost 36 and had the standard fertility work up of bloods, sperm test, ultrasound and HSG (NHS funded). However because they have found nothing wrong except mild PCOS and they have diagnosed unexplained infertility I won't be able to have any more NHS funded investigations or treatment. In fact I have been discharged and advised to go privately for IUI. I was told that treatment like IUI is only offered for women with something wrong. Maybe it's different according to which hospital/NHS Trust you are seen by.

I think it must differ between nhs areas. I have a ds and with my gp we have had day 3 (fsh/ lh/ prolactin/ tch and possibly something else, i forget)and day 21 tests (progersterone) and dp has done a sperm test. We have now been referred to an infertility clinic at roehampton queen marys and my gp has said they will do all the tests on the nhs but if I need to have ivf then we will have to pay for it. But i'm led to believe that any further blood tests, laparoscopy and what have you would all be free. where are you?