Blood tests at 7dpo - help please!

[minciepie]

So, I've been told by the GP to go off and get two lots of blood tests*, one 7dpo and one on cd 2/3.

I've been using OPKs and finally got a positive result yesterday cd27. (Yes I know, ridiculously late, but this is consistent with my previous cycles so I think it's right).

Two questions for those who know about these things:

1. Does 7dpo mean 7 days after positive OPK, or does it mean 7 days post actual ovulation - i.e. 8 days after positive OPK, because actual ovulation is usually a day after positive OPK?

2. The blood test clinic is shut on 26/27 Dec. (I have great timing .) So I would have to get the blood tests done on 28th which would be 9 or 10dpo (depending on the answer to 1). Is it worth doing them then, or will they be unreliable? Should I just wait until January ?

thanks all...

*brief history: 8 months TTCing, no success; cycles are getting longer and longer each month, latest was 40 days; I've recently had a scan which shows signs of PCOS.

Hi Mincie

I'm sure someone better informed will be along but in the meantime I'll try to help
I had day 21 bloods done a few months ago. Cos of timing problems I went when I thought I would be 9 days post ovulation. It turned out to actually be 8 dpo. I let the GP know and he said it was still ok. My results were mainly ok, the GP said if anything had been abnormal they would have repeated them.

I think I would have them done anyway, you can always repeat them again next cycle, if needed. It's so hard to time it right with weekends let alone Christmas and bank holidays!

Good luck

Oops I meant to add that I've read that ovulations is anywhere between 12 hours to 48 hours post positive OPK so unless you get any other signs such as twinges etc it will be a bit of a guessing game anyway. You could ovulate later that day or up to two days later. Sorry if that just adds to the confusion

OK! You're right of course that I could always get them repeated. So I guess I'll do them on the 28th and just make sure the GP knows what day that was so she can assess if they are reliable or not...

I already missed getting them done in November because of a holiday... so frustrating especially when my cycles are so long!

Nope, no other signs of ovulation to go by, just the sticks...

thanks

minciepie

If your cycles are further lengthening each month and a recent scan has shown signs of PCOS, it may be that the OPK is misleading you completely here and giving you false information re possible ovulation.

Ovulation is not usually a day after a positive OPK. It may be that you end up having more positive results on an OPK this cycle.

I would stick to having the first blood test done on day 3; this test measures and compares your LH level to that of your FSH. If that is awry (there is often but not always an clear hormonal imbalance between LH and FSH in PCOS) the subsequent day 21 test may well show that ovulation did not occur that month. If your periods are irregular the tests can be done according to calendar days; that will be just as accurate.

GP as well should now refer you to a gynae given the recent scan result showing possible PCOS. It is not a issue for GPs to try and treat in any event.

Attila thank you. Several questions for you sorry!

I know about the OPKs not being reliable with PCOS (think we may have discussed on a different thread of mine!) - but they are the best indicator I've got I think? So far using OPKs, I've only got one +ve per month, and it's always 2 weeks before AF arrives - so seems reasonably likely to be a "real" +ve rather than false? (of course I know I may not be ovulating even so).

Hmm, are you saying I should only get the day 3 test done and forget about the 7dpo test? Or get it done on day 21 even though that is more likely to be a few days pre-ovulation?

What do you mean if the day 3 test is awry ... do you mean it might not be accurate (not that I know what it is looking for anyway!!) because of the PCOS?

Thanks for advice about referral to gynae based just on scan - I will ask for that. GP is pretty good on fertility issues so hopefully knows someone good to refer me to.

Hello! Nothing to add except sincere empathy, am afraid...am in similar position and find it can be really difficult to get enough information! My GP was really reluctant to do 7dpo bloods as my cycle is so erratic (usually in the 30s but has been between 13 and 44 days over the past few years), she thought it would be too difficult to predict and end up being a waste ! CD3 tests came back fine, but ultrasound showed quite a number of cysts...but not enough to confirm PCOS, although I do have other symptoms (irregular periods, bad skin). Am thinking of going down the OPK route, but do worry about the false readings. Am currently on CD44...and no BFP! Hope all goes well with the tests and that it's the start of you getting some answers and your BFP!
XxX

Thanks Crumm! and best of luck to you too.

mincie if LH is above FSH on the day 3 test, that can be indicative of PCOS.

I sympathise with your timing issue - I had the same thing earlier in the year. The first month after I was referred for the test, 7dpo fell in the middle of the Royal Wedding extra long weekend, so I decided to wait. The next month, it fell in the middle of the May Bank Holiday! I ended up getting it done then at 6dpo and it was 30, which is right on the threshold to confirm ov, but the GP and 2 gynaes I have seen have all been happy that I am oving and have not wanted to repeat it.

I think we have talked before about ov sticks too. I found they always worked well for me.