TTC for 1 year +

[FlapJackered]

Does anyone want to join?

I have been TTC #1 for 15 months and had a MC at 8 weeks in February.
I am off to the GP tomorrow to try and get a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist.
Tried every trick and tip and old wives tale in the book to get a bfp!
It would be good to have a group of longer term ttcers to chat to.

Sigh... All my blood tests came back normal. DH's SA is normal, maybe just a little too acidic (6.8). So if I have a lot of eggs, there must be a lot of bad ones. Sometimes I don't even know what's better - bad results that can be fixed or good ones that can't. I'm going next week for day 21 tests.
It's been so relaxing not to temp or pee on opks this month. I'm guessing I'm ovulating any day now judging by ewcm but don't care to know for sure. Just following the dtd schedule, every other day starting cd10. I'm not taking any extra vitamins or supplements, other than prenatal, vitamin D, CoQ10, and fish oil.

@queenqueenqueen I'm sorry. Here we know exactly how you feel. I literally don't let myself cry. Just have to push forward.

@Mrs71 maybe for now search what food or supplements might improve your low tsh? I know for high tsh there are plenty of helpful foods.

Argh, I just looked at my day 21 progesterone and it's 26.4, it should be over 30 to confirm ovulation. I'm seriously fed up with the clinic now, I feel like I've had to push really hard to get basic info. I'm speaking to the consultant today (they let us have a phone consultation because they'd failed to do the SA first time round.) I think the NHS says progesterone should be re tested if it's under 30. Has anyone had this? Now I'm worried I'm not even ovulating!

@PineappleC, well done for pushing and getting her to look. But that does sound frustrating. I feel I've had to push really hard too. I don't think they'd have re done my husband's SA otherwise, they told us it was normal and it was only after I asked what morphology and motility were that they said they didn't have the results and we'd have to re do it.

So annoying as I was trying not to Google as it makes me really anxious, but I feel I have no choice because they won't do their jobs properly unless I really know my stuff and can prompt them.

Sorry I'm such a barrage of negativity at the moment everyone.

@RosettaR Yeah I feel like GPs don't really take fertility issues too seriously unless the tests say otherwise. It's frustrating because the tests don't really tell you very much!

Just a thought - did you do your day 21s in the middle of your luteal phase? I did mine on day 19 because i have an 11 day luteal phase and ov'd on day 13. If I'd have done it on day 21 I mightve got a similar reading to you. Also, I think it's normal to have a couple of anovulatory cycles, so just because this one might be low, doesn't mean they all will be 😊 I know it's hard, I'm feeling similarly helpless and frustrated, but hopefully completely worth it in the end xx

@PineappleC oh really? The time lapse was 55 mins, can that really effect it? That is annoying if so as it was a private test so you would have thought they would have got on with it quickly. Our appointment has been moved to 20th August. I will let you know what he says about the morphology.
My DH also has these anti-sperm antibodies which there doesn't seem to be a lot of information on them. I just want to get some answers now!
Well done for pushing the GP, I agree, I think they really have limited knowledge when it comes to fertility, it's annoying that the referral criteria is so strict too.

@KatBeCool That is frustrating that no reason has flagged up for why you're not getting pregnant but it's good news too that nothing is very wrong. Have you had your FSH and AMH done?
I am with you on the calm not temping and supplements. I am still poas just for the few days before ov as I want to throw as much sperm as possible at it if the issue is with DH. I got a positive today so looks like we might be cycle twins for the tww!

@RosettaR I am sorry you're having such a rough time and your doctors are so useless. That is so frustrating they are not on it like they should be.
the progesterone test should be 7 days before your period, are you sure it was taken at the right time? As I used to only ovulate on day 22 which means it wouldn't have shown ovulation if I had taken it at day 21.
If not it might be worth getting it redone? Have you ever temped and taken opks? It might be worth doing that for a month as temperature charting can give a pretty clear indication if you've ov'd or not. Xx

@RosettaR to make things "easier", apparently progesterone levels can significantly vary from hour to hour in the luteal phase. They can be literally ten times higher or lower just on the same day. The clinic should start monitoring you, and give you medication. Even if you aren't ovulating, they'll make sure you do. How long are your cycles? Are they regular?

@FlapJackered for some reason this clinic didn't do FSH but my OB did before and it was within a normal range. My AMH was 4.57 this time, which is shocking considering my age. But quantity of eggs doesn't indicate quality. I almost used an OPK but then decided to stick to the plan. Ewcm is my only indicator. My lower abdomen was itchy too a couple of days ago, that happens only when I'm about to ovulate. Super weird but it's always so consistent and never happens any other time. No rash or anything, I could tell it's internal. Maybe it's replacing pain that some feel with itchiness? And yay cycle twins!

Thank you so much for the encouragement today all of you, it really helped.

We had our phone consultation which was a bit more positive. He said my progesterone is high enough to indicate ovulation, apparently they take 17 as their indicative value. I will check this with the GP anyway just to be sure, as the print out they gave me said 30. And @KatBeCool if it moves as quickly as you say I guess it's hard to time it right to get the full surge so maybe that's why they use a lower threshold.

About AMH he said it varies person to person. My level wouldn't mean IVF couldn't happen but it is something to keep an eye on, maybe test again after 3 or 6 months just to check it's not going down - if it is we'd want to move ahead with IVF.

I agree GPs don't seem too clued up on what tests to do which is frustrating. We've gone privately to a fertility clinic for all our tests. They seem knowledgeable but the customer service has been rubbish and they don't really give you much information, you really have to ask questions and push!

Is anyone doing anything nice in the sun today?

Hi ladies.

I had a phone call today from the GP’s surgery saying he wants to see me ASAP. Which I suppose is good in a way as I know it’s the TSH level. I went to the doctors after work to collect the results I’ll attach a picture. I feel annoyed that 6 weeks have been wasted he could of sorted it the first time round instead of waiting to re test! I totally agree with the whole GP thing! I feel like they don’t have a clue sometimes.

@RosettaR my first appointment is on he 2nd Week or so before yours but will be good to talk about it together. I’m feeling positive about it.

@FlapJackered did your sister end up pregnant after acupuncture? Or was it for something else.

Serum TSH level - 0.03 Miu
Below low reference limit.

Serum free T4 level - 18.4pmol

@RosettaR hi I've just been reading this thread and wanted you to read this article on AMH. Don't worry about your number! www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/hormonal-fertility-tests-waste-time-and-money/

Sending lots of baby dust!

Xxxx

@Flapjackered Yes it was a friend of ours who told us that, and he has a specialism in fertility. Was a bit weird sending our results to him...but worth it for the reassurance, given the very minimal comments from our own GPs.

Another general SA test note is that my DH commented that it was very different from the, erm, quantity of sample he'd get in real life (he wasn't really that turned on by a cup and the porn DVD provided by the NHS 😂). So basically the samples produced under those conditions might be less quality than in real life.

@Maisy24 thanks for the link! I wasn't tested for AMH but agree in general that these tests probably stress us out way more than they help. Sounds like many ppl on here's results differ from month to month, so those who have had "bad" results, pls don't panic (I do appreciate that's easier said than done!!) xxx

@RosettaR that's great news your consultant was positive and that he is confident you ovulated as ovulation is the most important thing really!

@Mrs71 it sounds like they will put you on some medication which is good news! When is your appointment?
My sister isn't pregnant yet as she has quite big problems with endometriosis so she is more doing it for relaxation and help with ivf. She has found it really helpful though for that. I am almost convinced it brought my ovulation date forward by 5 days though which is amazing as I was very skeptical!

@PineappleC that's interesting! That is really helpful to have a friend in the department, I would be tempted to call him up all the time! 😂
Good news is that @cupcakesandglitter has just announced on the other thread that she is pregnant 🎉 her DH has low morphology too so it can give us some hope.

@FlapJackered I had my appointment on Friday. GP didn’t give me any medication but he’s referred me to an endocrinologist consultant as we’re ttc and wants me to see a specialist. Which is a good thing I suppose? The results came back at 0.03 miu again and I said to him is it not meant to be between 2.5 -5.0 when ttc he was like no that’s your FSH levels I think your talking about. I was a bit confused. I’ve now been referred to a consultant who will now a lot more in this field so I’m feeling positive. He kept stressing to me that ttc with an overactive thyroid shouldn’t cause any problems and they might not even put me on any medication till I’m pregnant as that’s when it can cause problems. I’m actually really confused with it all. I’m hoping the acupuncture helps me too.

@Maisy24 Thanks for the article, that is reassuring that the NHS basically think AMH is a waste of time.

@PineappleC That's funny about your husband's SA. My DH complained it took him ages to find the magazines as they were discretely hidden in a drawer - it was only because I told him I thought there'd be magazines that he even looked.

@Mrs71 it's great that you're getting referred. Hopefully you'll be able to speak to someone who knows more about it before long.

I'm coming up to fertile week again. I might try OPKs this cycle, or I might just try to DTD every 2-3 days the whole cycle like the NHS recommends. Its amazing how much less stressed out by the whole thing I am at this time of month. It's when AF approaches that I feel like I can't cope.

Hey all.

I've been lurking on this thread but only posting now - can I join?

Age: 37
TTC #1
TTC 21 months

I've had 21 day bloods. All normal except low progesterone (but I get +be OPKs) - think i May be ovulating but low progesterone means nothing sticks? Anyone else had this?

DF has his SA tests tomoro. How long does it take for results?

On the list for fertility clinic (NHS) & reckon we should be called in October. Mad to get the ball rolling as I feel like I'm a ticking time bomb running outta time 😫

Oh, also had transvaginal exam. All seemed fine except possible thin lining in womb

@RosettaR How funny! Mine said there were no magazines, just a DVD which contained " '80s porn, moustaches and all". (His words). Really makes me laugh picturing the person at the NHS who has to do the ordering 😂

@RosettaR I know I'm happy he's referred me as the consultant will know a lot of answers to my questions compared to the GP! I feel exactly the same as you. I started spotting today and that's when I feel so rubbish again all month I'm fine soon as AF starts showing her face I feel crap.

@Broodyaf welcome to the group. Everyone's so lovely here.

@Broodyaf my DH's SA results took around 10 days to come back.

@Broodyaf welcome! I think your name is familiar, probably from a thread I was lurking on. Do you know how low your progesterone was? Many people on this thread have said it can come out low if you've miss-timed the test even very slightly. Is your GP re-testing?

@PineappleC lol I'd not thought about the poor procurement person in the NHS. Still from your DH's experience may be they only order every few decades... I guess if they're looking for things to save money on the quality of porn would be one of the first things to suffer!

Hi @RosettaR
Yes I recognise ur name too ... I think we were on 1 of the buses together a few months back. Maybe around Christmas time?
Progesterone was 9.8 (range 16-28)
It was a couple of days out so I'm retesting this month.

DF is in producing his sample atm 🙈
He's all embarrassed and not impressed but I told him it's likely the only thing he'll have to do! 😂

@Broodyaf I remember your name too - from the busses I'm sure!
Hope DH SA went okay, my husband was also mortified 😂

Here's a question - I'm supposed to go for lunch on Sunday - a friend has organised it for everyone to meet her new baby, a bunch of other friends will also be there who also have babies and small children. Is it bad if I don't go? AF has just arrived and I dont was to think about being surrounded by babies.
I will go and meet the new baby another time.
Am I awful?

Hey @bunhead34 - yes I know ur name as well!
I'm so glad there's a few familiar names from the buses that were kicked off & not just me 🙈
It felt like everyone around me on them buses were gettin preggers except me 😰

DF's appointment was fine - he done what he had to do 😂
Results will be back before the end of the week which is good

I would absolutely be making up a plausible excuse not to go to that meet-the-baby gathering on Sunday... this journey is tough enough for us. Ul see the baby in your own time and still be a good friend so go think of a good excuse & stickto it lol

@bunhead34 I completely agree that you should make an excuse and not go. That kind of thing is super tough and there's no need to put yourself through it. You'll still be a good friend if you go and see her another time.

@Broodyaf I got fed up with the buses too. There's so much excitement about POAS and I never even make it that far ...