Blood tests tomorrow - should I still go?

[onehappymummy]

Hi, I haven't been on mumsnet in about a year but I have come back looking for a bit of advice.

My periods haven't been very regular since I had my implant out and I've been getting some pretty painful ovulation pains (I guess they are) so I recently went to see my doctor. As I was on CD65 at the time he referred me for blood tests. I'm sure he said the tests were for PCOS and and to see if I have ovulated this month. Anyway, the earliest nurse appointment I could get was for tomorrow (a week later) and then today my period arrives (70 day cycle!). I'm thinking the test to see if I have ovulated will not go ahead now but what about the other one? Is that done with a blood test?

Anyone who has had the test for PCOS could you please tell me what it includes? My thoughts are - if the blood test was just to see if I have ovulated surely now that my period has arrived it is pointless, so there is no point going to my appointment.

TIA

What blood test hormone levels have been asked for?.

If periods are consistently irregular blood tests can be done according to calendar days so you could have a day 2 test done soon (on July 2). A day 2 is an important blood test as this measures the levels of LH and FSH; comparison between the two is essential. An imbalance of LH to FSH is commonly seen in women who present with PCOS.

A day 21 test is usually done also to check levels of progesterone.

Consistently irregular cycles are very indicative of ovulation not happening regularly if at all currently. It is also quite possible to have periods without ovulating.

What sort of pains have you been having, I would keep a pain and symptom diary as this would give the gynae clues. You should be referred to such a person now in any case.

Thank you - you have been very informative.

I'm not really sure what they are testing for. The doctor just said to make an appointment with the nurse and we will run some blood tests. He then said he thinks I should be tested for pcos and to see if I have actually ovulated this time around (probably because I told him I'd had pains over a week previous that I assumed were ovulation pains). He then explained that for any further testing DH and I would need to have been ttc for a year before we could be referred to the fertility clinic but to start gathering information for when this happened including keeping a log of my BBT even if it wasn't working to me due to my bedroom switching between sauna and fridge and effecting it.

As for what the pain is like. Well, it feels like a cramping sensation on my left side. Slightly higher than where you usually get period pains but the same sort of feeling but a little more intense. Since it is where I would guess one of my ovaries is, I figured it was probably that.

I had a blood test for pcos a few years ago, I'm nearly sure they ask you details of your last period etc to work out hormone levels in relation to that so I'd still go and explain this to them.