Day 3 bloods again today, over 2 months after last period

[Anypointinseeingdoc]

I don't know if the fact that I missed one period but the next one arrived on time means that I am not ovulating on one side? I have also had 3 lots of EWCM at fortnightly intervals since my last period, which is confusing.

I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I may never have another one. I delayed TTC so that I could lose weight, I haven't lost any weight and now it seems to be too late, so I have myself to blame.

I'm feeling positive now that my period has finally arrived, but also very negative. Feel I am just fooling myself for thinking another one is even a possibility.

Irregular periods are often caused by hormonal imbalances; in this respect a condition called polycystic ovaries is often to blame. Another possible cause is problems with the thyroid gland.

EWCM is a very poor indicator of ovulation so would not put a lot of store by it.
Ovulation from either ovary is a completely random process; its certainly not left, right, left etc.

The day 2 test should check and compare your LH level against that of your FSH level. If LH is higher than FSH then this can be one indicator of polycystic ovaries.

Are you under the care of a gynae currently?. Will GP refer you if not?.

Its not too late but you will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

Thanks Attila. I had FSH of 14.5(iirc) a few months ago, and the GP has sent me to be re-tested, but it didn't happen due to lack of period. I am also being tested for thyroid problems. I did think I might have PCOS as I am fat, hairy, spotty etc but my LH was lower at about 8ish.

I will not be referred for fertility, but if this is an early menopause then I will be referred. The doctor I saw last time was more helpful than the first.

Your thyroid problems need both careful and ongoing management.

You need up to date test results; any test result over 6 months old needs to be discounted.

I don't know if I actually have thyroid problems yet. I am off in a minute and I will ask what they are testing for exactly. I will dig my old test results out when I get back.

Had bloods taken. They are testing for LH, FSH, thyroid, liver function, iron and something else, so basically just the normal blood tests. Results will be back in a week. My previous levels were FSH 15.5 and LH 8.7.

Phoned up for my results. Receptionist said they were all normal and if I am still feeling unwell to see the doctor. I wasn't feeling unwell, I was having fertility investigations. I asked what the results were and she couldn't tell me because she is not medically qualified. So I need to invent an ailment so that I can see the doctor to get the results. They sort of triage you over the phone which is a bit odd because they are not medically qualified enough to give you the test results but they are qualified to decide if you need to see a doctor or not*

So that's me, no further on. I suppose if everything was normal I don't have anything wrong with my thyroid so that's something.

*I was very polite to the receptionist, in case my post suggests I wasn't.

The lab didn't do FSH or LH tests as requested by the GP. They don't know why. I need to go back again next time. I will be away when my period is due so it will be another two months, assuming I don't miss one again.

I feel really down now.

It was a nightmare trying to get an appointment on day 3 when I didn't know when to expect my period. They tried to get me to book the new day 3 tests now, but I don't really know when to expect it. Wonder if I should not go on holiday.

Blood tests can actually be done according to calendar days so you do not have to wait potentially another two months. I had all my blood tests done according to such days as my menstrual cycle was basically non existant.

I hate it how the admin side of things makes everything so much harder for us. I wouldn't cancel your holiday. It'l do ou good to get away. Just repeat the tests when you can.

Can they really Attila? I was turned away from my tests in the month where I didn't have my period, on what would have been day 3. I explained that it hadn't arrived and I went along anyway thinking they would at least do the thyroid one but the nurse said they only like to take one lot of blood so she wouldn't do any.

Yes they can.

All my blood tests were done according to calendar days. I had days 3 and 21 repeated over the course of several months during my visits to the fertility clinic at the hospital.

I would ask your GP for a referral to the subfertility unit if one has not already been made.

Thank you, Attila, that is very interesting. I won't be referred as I already have children and I am too old according to the guidelines so the FSH and the LH tests are all I will be provided with. I won't be getting the day 21 test again as the last one showed I had ovulated. If I haven't had any luck by the end of the school holidays I will pay for a private AMH test and see an acupuncturist. I was intending to do both of those before now but I have just had so much on and I have been trying not to dwell on this situation. After the holidays I should have a bit more time and head space to focus on this again.

I was taking a B vitamin supplement for a period of about 6 or 8 weeks and I'm wondering if that could have affected my cycle. Or maybe that is just clutching at straws.

I think the calendar dates might be used if your cycle is non-existent. As you do have a cycle, i would try to get them done on the right cycle days so they give you the best info possible.

Thanks Eurochick, hopefully I will have periods as normal and be able to book it for the right day. I have never actually missed a period completely like I did last month so I hope it was a one-off.

TBH, you have in my view had the most important test done, which has confirmed you are ovulating. The main aim with the LH/FSH tests is to check for an indicator of PCOS. If you have PCOS and are ovulating, it shouldn't stop you conceiving. If you are not, then your progesterone test wouldn't have indicated ovulation. It's still worth getting it done, but try not to stress about it.

Thanks. I did think I had pcos but my previous results didn't suggest that. It will be interesting to see what the next results say. I don't know how much they usually vary. I will try to push for the day 21 test again just in case. Is they high FSH a problem if I am ovulating? I was reading about all this stuff obsessively and stopped a couple of months ago because I was just going round in circles.

I may go back to using the OPKs again, just to use them up as much as anything, because I have dozens of them and I stopped using them when I thought PCOS was a possibility.