NHS first visit and fertility tests

[Lunit4]

I just went to the NHS with my husband, we have been trying to conceive for around a year.

I thought it would be helpful for some people to share how things went on, as I didn't find information anywhere about what was going to happen.

First, we made the appointment for just one of us, but we both went into the appointment together, they didn't have any problem with this.

Second, the doctor asked:

• My age (36) and husband's age (41).
• For how long we have been trying (1 year).
• I was asked if I have irregular periods (nope).
• My husband mentioned that he had epididymitis 2 years ago.

He didn't ask anything else.

I've been sent to do 2 blood tests, I copy here:

• Test on day 1-5 of cycle, for "Prolactin, LH FSH, Testosterone, Thyroid Function, chlamydia"
• Test 7 days before period for "Progesterone"

Husband has to go only for a semen test.

We were asked to come back once everything is done. In about a month time. I'll post what they say next.

@Lunit4 just wanted to say thank you for your post, we've been trying for a year now as well and think it's time to go and see the gp so this is good insight.

Best of luck with your results, hope you get your bfp soon!

Thanks for posting this, I'm interested to hear what happens next.

We've been trying around a year too, I've had blood tests and a scan. Hub is yet to go for sperm analysis....

Hi, just wanted to say that dp and I are also at the point of fertility testing (on cycle 13) so just wanted to express solidarity! Dp has SA next week and I have the same day 3 bloods as Lunit4 coming up assuming I'm not pregnant this cycle. I already has day 21 bloods taken so they will not be doing that again. Good luck to everyone!

@bunhead34 @goldflakepaint
Please share the results when you know something!

I'm also in the same boat.
Some threads about infertility clinic appts over on the infertility topic.

Me and hubby both went to my appt lucky he did as they had questions for him too

Sent him for sa

I have a tv scan for next wk and trying to book my hsg scan too.

I had bloods done and we have an appt for aug to discuss results ; but we can bring it forward once all our tests are done.

If all those tests come back fine then i will need to have a laprascopy

Oh and we've been trying for around 2 years and i have irregular periods

Hello

We are going through similar...

My day 2 tests were fine except for high prolactin.
I've been taking meds for a month and re-test next week.
My husbands SA has come back normal.

I haven't done a day 21 test but think I am
ovulating based on OPKs...

I am 36, my husband 38, we have been trying for 15 months with one miscarriage one month after we started.

@agteacht Thanks for sharing your experience. Is the GP who was given you meds? or have you being referred to a specialist?

@smarty14 Can I ask how long you have been trying? Due to our location, GP has said that they won't be able to refer us for any further investigations (after blood tests and SA) until we have been trying for two years. I have had an ultrasound due to an 'abnormal period' (which I suspect might have been a chemical pregnancy) in the summer though which is good because they found a small fibroid. It's unlikely to cause fertility issues but I do have a hysteroscopy coming up for a further look as I have some pre-af spotting not due to low progesterone. But I would have never known about it if something hadn't happened last summer which is why this two years thing is frustrating. Will also mean that I won't be having hsg scan until we've been trying for another year- although I heard that the chlamydia serology blood tests tends to rule out tubal issues in 8/10 cases.

I went to doctor's today and booked in day 3-5 blood tests for next Monday- they were helpful when I explained it could only be that day as my period is due on Thursday/Friday. It's been helpful to hear people's experiences so far.

@goldflakepaint we have been trying roughly for 2 years but have prob had unprotected sex for 8 years (been married for 4 and together for 13 in total)

We live in surrey and have been told depending on what happens we will be eligible for ivf if it comes to it.

Hi...so interesting to hear your stories. My DH and I have been ttc for 2.5 yrs. i have had 1 mmc at 9 weeks and one at 5 weeks. I’m just about to turn 40 and DH is 34. We have one DS together.

I would say my Drs were pretty useless when I went aged 37 for help. They did a day 21 test and a SA for DH. All fine. They said we “just need to be fatalistic about it”. I had a thyroid check for something unrelated at that point. Recently we thought we would go back and really push for more tests, I’m about to turn 40 and it’s been pretty heartbreaking and we just want to get an answer and move on. The specialist performed a scan, all fine, blood tests too and that revealed my thyroid level was 4.18. They recommend it should be under 2. They wrote to my Dr to prescribe meds which I’m now taking and will see how that goes, if not I’m going to pay for ivf.

My advice would be to get to a specialist. Some Drs are great and have an interest in fertility but mostly they don’t truly understand and only a specialist can tell you what’s going on.

Lots of luck to you all xx

Hi @Lunit4
It was a specialist who prescribed the prolactin medication and metformin but I have had both in the past so it was a repeat prescription thing (I just hadn't taken them for years!)

My GP sent us for the SA and day 2 tests.

Question... I think I ovulate due to OPKs indicating such but I could ask my GP if I could have a day 21 blood test to make sure... I have just ovulated I believe so that would be in a weeks time... I think it's worth a try...

Just today I got the results from the tests! It took almost 8 weeks from the first visit. The doctor just gave us a phone call.

The results came back normal for both of us, so he said that we will refer to clinic to talk about other possible tests (he mentioned a scan for me), and to discuss possible drug treatment. In the meantime, he offer me to take Clomid, which I'm a bit hesitant, since there was nothing to indicate I need it and I'm worried about side effects.

Would you take the Clomid or wait until talking with the specialist?

@Lunit4 sorry this thread is a bit old now!
I was wondering how you got on?

(Ps. I would have taken the clomid) xx

Hi!

Today I finally had the first visit with the fertility specialist (through the NHS). A total of 3 months wait, between waiting for the referral letter, then filling up some forms, doing another sperm test and finally getting the appointment.

@ bunhead34 , I didn't take the Clomid, as suggested by the other doctor, and I'm glad I didn't because I don't need it, the specialist confirmed that I'm ovulating and everything seems normal and healthy, apart from a little PCOS on my left ovary. The doctor just told me to keep with the vitamins. And since I also started taking Inositol 2 months ago, and she said it was a great idea, I should continue with that.

On the other hand, the hubby results are not as promising, from the 2 tests he took, one was normal on the low side (14 million) and the second one very low (1 million). So he has to take Impryl for 3 months and he has to stop vaping (which is going to be really hard for him...). If his results don't improve, we will be referred to IVF.

Something interesting is that she said I had 23 follicles on the go (or something around that), and she could see the egg that had already been release this month, which was a huge relieve for me! Hopefully the vitamins do their magic and we don't have to go through IVF. The doctor was very positive, and she said, because of how healthy I am, we should do well on IVF, if we come to that.

Baby dust for everyone!

Hi Lunit4,

Do you have any updates? My Gp is sending us to SA and day 2 blood test.