Fertility tests

[ItNeverHappened]

Hi guys, really looking for people in the same boat as me. Feeling really alone in my ttc journey. I’ve been Ttc for years but only just got round to properly sorting it. Other relationships I just saw as it wasn’t the right time and have now seriously been trying for 4 years but nothing happening for the last 10 plus!! Doctor has sent me for scan which is 5th March, for scan and transvaginal. Partner hasn’t done sperm test yet. All of my friends are either pregnant or have kids already, I’m 27 and it’s breaking my heart that I know I have left it so long knowing something is wrong. What happens if my scan comes back normal and does the scan pick up blockages on my tubes, what’s the next steps etc? I have irregular periods, sometimes every month for 3 months then nothing for 2 months. Has been like this since I can remember. X

@Itneverhappened - YES. One dominant follicle per cycle is totally normal!!! Because only one egg is released every cycle and each follicle contains one egg... If you had two dominant follicles, that is how fraternal twins happen.

It seems as though you are close to ovulation, judging by the size of the dominant follicle.

Another word for follicle is cyst - because follicles are simply small sacks of fluid, like a cyst. So it means there are some follicles that are not dominant (ie, bigger than others) in your right ovary. Nothing more. This can be pretty typical at this point in your cycle, or could indicate a multicystic ovary (which I've already explained can be found in up to 30% of women - and so is not in and of itself indicative of anything at all).

@physicskate - My FSH was 3.8 and LH 5.9 ... does anyone know what other tests I would need to have to be diagnosed with pco or pcos? And if the dr doesn’t believe it’s that, then what?
I don’t want to get carried away, I really shouldn’t have looked at my test results online as I’m obsessing over it now. What should the next step be in my TTC journey - more bloods next? Xx

Pco is not a diagnosis, but a variant of normal physiology.

Your bloods aren't very indicative of pcos. Do you have physical symptoms of it? Is your weight an issue? Excess hair? Male pattern baldness? Bad skin?

I had a prolactin level that came back as “abnormal” at 551 - no idea what this means or if that is related to it?
It’s all pretty alien to me right now.
Is it normal for the sonographer to note that right ovary with multiple follicles appears like pcos ? - if it might not be that?
Yes I have bad skin, excessive hair, bloated and tired, I have thick hair and I am quite dark featured through genetics, haven’t noticed any bald patches but I do lose a lot of hair on a daily basis .. I know that’s probably normal but yes I do have the other symptoms. Do you know what else they would need to diagnose pco or pcos? More bloods? X

Weight gain is a massive issue as well, I was a healthy weight until around 3 years ago, but have had unprotected sex in the whole of that time and nothing’s hapoened, with different partners too. I am over weight at the moment and have been exercising and eating healthily to change this, but I still seem to have a bloat and do find the weight comes off quite slow. - this is what is confusing as I did read, god forbid google but I did read that pcos is mostly found in overweight women. Though I was a healthy weight for a long time and nothing happened...

Hi @ItNeverHappened I have elevated prolactin (around 1300), I think normal is up to 490 so your 550 although too high isn't crazy high. My doctor told me she has seen people with 3000+. Anyway, what I wanted to say is that until I got my prolactin sorted I had very irregular periods. At one point, years ago, they stopped altogether for over 6 months. So maybe that's what is causing your irregular cycles. I also have PCOS and I believe that's why my cycles, although regular, are quite long. But the good news is you can get medication prescribed quite easily for both issues.

Hello @agteacht Oh my gosh it sounds as though I don’t need to worry about my prolactin now! I’m glad you’ve got yours sorted. May I ask how you were diagnosed with pcos and what tests/medication did you need to sort periods and conceive after this? I’ve not had a peep for over 10 years and is just really worrying me. Can’t do much until I’m at the doctors Friday. Just apprehensive of the next steps x

Hi @ItNeverHappened I was diagnosed with PCOS because I had bleeding throughout my cycle which turned out to be polyps which were harmless and removed but when they were investigating that they diagnosed PCOS

Prolactin was because my periods stopped

I have had the same issue with prolactin again recently so back on meds but doctor told me it would go down to normal level in 4 weeks, I have a blood test on 20th to confirm this so hopefully that will be the case

I haven't had a baby so I'm not the best example to use, I have ttc for 15 months, we had a miscarriage a while back
But given my prolactin hasn't been right but I have only just found out that, the doctor seemed confident that was the issue

My view is that when your hormones are all
Over the place if can't be easy to conceive. So getting them regulated can only help

Hope of help

Hi @ItNeverHappened
It sounds as though you're in a similar boat to me!

I also have irregular periods (haven't had one for 5 months now!) and when I originally went to the doctor I had all the bloods done, I also had a slight high prolactin level result (around the mid 500s). I've always had irregular periods tbh, but it never bothered me until I've been TTC, I was also on the pill for 9 years, so that kind of made me forget!

I'm 30 and have been TTC for 9 months now, originally I went to the doctor about my irregular and lack of periods, so I was lucky to be referred really, but my doctor was nice and understanding! It was pretty obvious I wouldn't easily be able to get pregnant if I don't have periods for 5 months!

I'm at the beginning of my journey though to be honest, I've only recently had my infertility gynaecologist appointment. She's put me on tablets called Provera to try and bring my periods back. I'll need to have more blood tests and She's also asked me to have a hycosy (cameras with the dye scan) in a few months when my periods should be back.

They think that I most likely have PCOS, but I suppose the tests will find that out in due course!

Have you had any more tests done? Also did you chat to your doctor to understand your blood results so far?

Hi how are you getting on with the provera @callypally?

I have now done a full month of my prolactin meds so I'm back at the consultant this Tuesday afternoon to hear if my levels have dropped as a result. And am 5 days into my TWW so of course crossing my fingers!