Going to GP for tests?

[katiegd]

Hi all, hoping for a bit of your expertise.

I'm nearly 33. We've been TTC#1 for about 18 months, but due to OH health issues and then operation last year (all now fine) the number of cycles we've been trying is probably about 10, maybe a few more.

We'd talked about going to GP in Sept if nothing before then but am now thinking perhaps we should go sooner. I've convinced myself that our issues are due to OH sperm quality as he drinks and smokes a lot. I think that if it is low quality, having confirmation of this would encourage him to start planning behaviour change (so much easier said than done!).

Of course, it might be nothing to do with that and might be related to me, or unexplained, but I suppose I'd rather just know.

So my question is, how do you go about getting tests through your GP? Do you book an appointment together to talk about it? Or do you go separately? What do you ask for?

Hi all, thought I'd update you that we went to GP last week. I booked an appointment for myself but DP came along for moral support. Glad he did as he ended up with tests to do as well.

Doctor was lovely and very empathetic. She gave me chlamydia test to do, referred me for a scan (so just waiting for that letter), told me to book blood tests at cd1-4 and cd19-20 and gave DP referral for sperm analysis.

Unfortunately it may be tricky to do blood tests at cd19-20 due to holidays this month so I will probably have to wait until next cycle to do the bloods.

Anyway, just wanted to update you. Thanks for all your advice on this thread previously!

@katiegd

I'd suggest going along to your GP now, it's been 18 months which is a decent length of time TTC

Roughly, I think the guidelines are that if you're under 35 it's TTC for over 12 months or over 35 TTC for 6 months.

This should be a threshold where GPs start to initiate tests/investigations.

I'm 38, well practically 39 now, and I went to my GP after almost 6 months of TTC after my MMC last summer.
She sent me for all the bloods- thyroid, progesterone, FSH & LH etc

The last time I saw the GP in March she advised that my OH should get tested too. After much reminding & nagging he's finally going to get his sperm tested now.

At this rate I'll be going through the menopause before we get any further!

It's not a quick process- and that's just commenting from this side i.e. where me & my OH are asking for tests etc let alone waiting for a referral.

I'd get on with seeing your GP now if I was you.

My background is 2 previous pregnancies- have a 3 year old born when I was 35, then a MMC last year aged 37.

Both times I got pregnant first cycle after stopping the pill. TTC over the past year has been a difficult journey.

physicskate

I would be assuming the GP was suggesting to you that you came back "saying" you had another miscarriage before getting referred....maybe that's why he wouldn't look you in the eye...if you see what I mean...