Fertility Tests -advice please

[RC1985]

Hi ladies

Wanted to ask your thought on going to through the NHS for tests vs private tests. I’m happy to pay and like the fact you can go together and they do many of the tests that day but if you have tests privately and then you need IVF, can you then go on the NHS waiting list?

Hi @RC1985, I had some tests done privately and my doctor combined them with my NHS tests. I will be getting referred for NHS IVF shortly.

I think it's only an issue if you have IVF privately - I don't think you are eligible for IVF on the NHS in some areas if you've previously paid for IVF yourself, but it varies from region to region so you would need to check. Check your local CCG guidelines.

Thanks for replying. Good to know. I knew about having IVF privately would rule you out of NHS. Just out of interest where did you go for your tests and how much did they cost approx?

I went to a clinic near liverpool and it was about £500 if I remember correctly. I only really wanted the AMH test as I was worried about my reserve, and the semen analysis for my boyfriend.

Thanks, that’s about what I thought. Just one more question (sorry!), did you ask for a referral by your gp to a private clinic or did you just book it yourself?

I just booked it myself. They are more than happy to take your money! They did send the results of everything I did with them to my GP and OH Gp though, which I hadn't been expecting, not sure why it surprised me.

I’m sure they are happy to take your money lol! That’s good to know they’ll send it back to your GP so from there your GP referred you for IVF then? Xx

@RC1985 - I hadn't been trying long enough at that stage, I was only scouting out for problems in advance at that stage. I did get referred on eventually but it all takes lots of time. We've been trying about 18 months now and I think I have one more hoop to jump through before I get referred to the fertility clinic. I think it would take longer but I'm getting pretty close to the cutoff in my area (39.5 years) so they are skipping the clomid step and recommending I go straight to IVF probably in spring or summer next year depending on the wait time. Patience is certainly required in this whole game.

We’ve been trying for a year. I think I’m going to try nhs first and if it’s taking too long, go private. I wish you best of luck with IVF, hope it all goes well x

Check your ccg criteria on the fertility fairness website. In many cases, you won't 'jump the queue' if you get tests privately and then switch to nhs. Most ccg have an ivf criteria of ttc for two or even three years. So even if you have the test results, it might not be a much faster process... but then again it might be!!

Thanks. I will check that website out. I didn’t think it would mean jumping que for ivf but just may save the length of time it takes to test on nhs as it can be a long game. NHS is a postcode lottery which it really shouldn’t be!

Just looked, you only get one go in my area and it’s only fresh not frozen. You also have to be trying for more than 2 years. I think I might leave it till middle of next year before going privately.

Hi OP, I'd been trying for a year before my doctor referred me. It's been 2 months since we got referred and we've had two appointments and been told we need IVF which will be around March/April time. From referral to actual ivf it'll only have been about six months. This is all nhs but I guess it matters on your go and fertility clinic. Hope this helps.

@DaisyMay25 thanks for the reply. I went to docs today as have been trying for a year, she wanted to get SA done first before assessing me. Is this what happened with you or did they assess you first.

First step SA? Have you had anything? They can check 21 day progesterone to see if you have ovulated and they can check via a scan to see if you have pcos. They can do a range of tests to rule things out. They can also see how many follicles in each ovary for example. I went private first then realised they did most of this on nhs

@RC1985 I had already been assessed beforehand due to other reasons, we got SA done and as soon as they came back we got referred. At our first appointment they would've done an internal ultrasound but I had one not long before then sent us for another SA and done blood tests. I've never had my 21 day bloods done though. So maybe they'll referred you after SA and the clinic will do any additional tests?

@clearthinking I have had no tests at all. Oh sorry she’s testing my thyroid but that’s it. I’m contemplating private mainly because they can do everything in one go rather than lots of appointments.

@DaisyMay25 they might do I guess. Will have to see after SA but if I’m not impressed I’m going private. If we need treatment I’d rather see if we can do IUI first as it’s less invasive and cheaper if you go private.

The thing is, if it's a poor sa result, you very well may not need a huge battery of invasive tests. If the issue is his, it becomes yours too. The only way to overcome poor sperm is ivf, so you'll know that's what you're looking at.

It's all well and good having a huge range of tests, but when they all come back in the clear (which they often do), you may be more frustrated than you were from the off (I know I sure as hell was).

@physicskate tbh knowing how I am (which is impatient lol) I’d be relieved if there was nothing wrong with me, at least I’d know. If it is him at least we know what we,re dealing with. From what I’ve read you can have IUI with low sperm count and poor motility but it has to be a certain amount. IVF is a last resort for me. If his sperm count is really bad and there isn’t a reason, I’d rather just get a donar. What’s your story, did you have tests done privately?