Day 3 blood tests and vitex question

[RoseIvy]

Hi

I’ve been TTC for 7/8 months and have had some blood tests done because I was concerned about a short luteal phase (it has now lengthened to about 13 days but I spot from about day 10/11). I was also concerned because my periods only last two days. A few women on here have told me they have the same!

In terms of blood tests, I’ve had my day 3 done on two consecutive months (once private and once GP) my testosterone came back marginally high (1.7 - top reference range is 1.6).

My LH was 3.5/4 and my FSH was 7.3/10.

My GP has ruled out PCOS because my LH isn’t higher than my FSH, although I don’t think that’s the only determining factor and I don’t know why else my testosterone would be high.

I’ve read that FSH and LH should be roughly equal, so it seems that my body is struggling to ovulate every month and having to produce a lot of FSH do so!

My prolactin was also raised (470 - upper reference range was 500 odd)

Has anyone else had similar blood tests? Or any idea what/if anything is wrong?

I’ve also read that Vitex (Chasteberry) can increase LH and lower FSH and prolactin so I might try that. Anyone any experiences of vitex on their cycle?

I’m waiting for an ultrasound appointment. My day 21 progesterone showed that I was ovulating (42)

Thanks!

Hiya

I’ve had both day 3 and day 21 bloods done (and also worry about my LP so know how you feel!)

My prolactin was raised (633) the first time, but normal the second time (393). What they don’t tell you about prolactin has different upper limits at different points of your cycle (799 in the LP) and prolactin is also affected by stress and exercise, so if you work out, it’ll have an impact.

What I would say is that 10 is a blunt range for FSH and actually it has different ranges depending on age bands (I’ll attach a photo!)

All in all, it sounds like your bloods are totally fine, OP.

The best thing you can do to pinpoint Ov (and any issues you might have) is to use OPKs and BBT to track your cycle.

Good luck!

@ELW85 thanks so much for your reply!

These blood tests are both a blessing and a curse aren’t they!!

I’m 34 so my first fsh (7.3ish) seemed ok, but 10 is quite high! I have read that can overcompensate when your LH is low though, so it could be that all of my hormones are a bit out of sync! Hopefully an ultrasound will help me identify if there are any issues with my ovarian reserve - will ask for an amh test too!

That’s interesting about prolactin though - it definitely seems to go up and down according to your tests!

I’ve read that vitex can help restore balance with hormones especially when your body has low LH levels so I’m going to give that a try! I do seem to ovulate every month (although quite late - day 18 in a 30/31 day cycle). Whereabouts are you in your journey to ttc?

@RoseIvy - no worries at all!

I’m 34 too, so I suspect we’re doing the same thing in getting tests done etc as we’re trying to get PG before 35 :)

We’re now on to cycle 4 of TTC #1 and I’m trying to relax about it but my LP can be as short as 10 days up to 12/13 and so I pushed for tests as I was worried about progesterone too!
I’m not scheduled a scan yet; DH needs his SA done and then we’re getting a referral. Apparently the 12 month referral is for couples that aren’t tracking their cycles.

I’ve done a load of research into Vitex (and bought some) but haven’t tried it yet. It can balance things, but if you’re already balanced it can actually have the opposite effect.
I know one of the ladies on another thread saw a consultant recently and they told her not to do it.

I know what you mean about the tests being a blessing and a curse, but if it helps, the NHS have 10 as their upper limit irrespective of age, and FSH can vary from cycle to cycle.

It’s totally up to you, but maybe wait until you’ve had your scan and chatted it through with the hospital?

It’s crazy isn’t it; we get told from a young age that we’d basically get pregnant by looking at a boy and now we’re trying our best to get there!

@ELW85 yes, I’m absolutely also trying to get pregnant before I’m 35 and trying to get tests out of the way as soon as possible! What were your test results, were they all normal/good?

I really can’t decide on whether to take vitex - I was initially against it (when I was just trying to lengthen my luteal phase), but with the low LH/high FSH/high testosterone and prolactin I’m hoping it might balance things out. I think I’m just getting desperate and willing to try anything at this stage!! No idea when I will get a date for my scan so at the moment I’m just waiting - my Gp said my results were ‘normal’ but she isn’t an expert on fertility - she had in fact insisted that my luteal phase had to be 14 days because everyone’s was fixed at that! So it was a real struggle to get my progesterone test on the right day!

@RoseIvy it is hard when your GP doesn’t really listen or understand that much. I was lucky in that the second one I saw was much more accommodating.

Yes thanks, my bloods were good; LH and FSH both 5, progesterone was 38 but my cycle was a day shorter so it was actually 6 days before AF so a pretty decent result. Just keeping the faith that I’ll get a BFP soon and trying to relax about it!

@ELW85 those sound like absolutely spot on results so I’m sure it’s just a matter of time for you! Very hard to relax though when it’s such a stressful process! But it really does sound like you have nothing to worry about at all!

Never thought it would take this long and the more months that pass the more anxious I am that something is wrong. Hoping a referral to a fertility specialist will help identify any problems!

@RoseIvy - it’s so nice to talk to you; I feel like we’re in exactly the same position!
It’s super hard to relax when everything seems fine and it’s still taking this long.
I get quite upset having to tell DH that it’s not our month (again) so hopefully this cycle is the one.

Where are you in this cycle? I’m expecting Ov on Tuesday, so currently timing the BD to fit in with it.

@ELW85 I feel exactly the same - also hate having to tell DH month after month that it’s not happened again...he’s still very positive about our chances but I think as every month comes and goes he’s now also starting to think something is wrong! We have so many friends who seem to have fallen pregnant straight away (the most recent two both got pregnant when being careless with not talking their contraceptive pill!) We have been consistently making sure that we have bd’ed at the right time every month and nothing!

I got my peak opk today (been using the clear blue dual hormone ones), so I normally assume (guess) that ovulation day is tomorrow. We are at almost the exact same stage in our cycles!

@RoseIvy - my DH is exactly the same!
I almost feel like I just want the good news to put his mind at rest as much as anything.

How funny that we’re pretty much at the same place in our cycles.
I’m hoping to get the static smiley tomorrow (had the flashing one for 3 days).
We BD’d this morning (3am) and wondering whether to go tonight or leave it til tomorrow and Tuesday.
What would you do?
It would be great if we both got our BFP this cycle!

@ELW85 I know exactly what you mean -being able to tell DH some good news would be so nice!

Sounds like you’re a day behind me - I had static smiley today! But I normally have 4 flashing days first. Personally I don’t think BD tonight will make any difference - tomorrow and the day after means you’ve caught each of the best days which is exactly what we try to do!

I really hope you get your bfp this month! I’m not holding out too much hope given how long it’s been and the fact that my bloods aren’t great - but as always I still end up hoping this month will be our month!!

@RoseIvy - thank you for the advice! I’ll go with tomorrow and Tuesday :)
It would be nice to keep updated with each other since were so similar?
FWIW, I think your bloods seem pretty good, so I’ll keep everything crossed you get your BFP very soon!

@ELW85 definitely keep me updated! The TWW is just horrible isn’t it. I normally do fine for the first 7 days or so and manage to keep myself occupied but then as AF approaches I’m constantly on edge waiting! I also spot before AF which means I get an early warning that AF is on its way!

As much as I now don’t expect to be pregnant every month, it’s still so disappointing when it arrives!

@RoseIvy couldn’t agree more!
I’m having a weird month; OPKs went to high yesterday and back down to low today.
Feel like I’ve missed my surge or Ov is delayed. Very odd!

I have no experience with actual blood tests but I managed to get my cycles quite regular(32-34 days) and my LP to 13 days with Vitex, this was after having cycles with up to 84 days. I was recommended it by my sister who is a midwife and has used it herself to get her hormones balanced.
I would say it worked within a couple of months and I then fell pregnant (1st cycle actively trying), I'm convinced I wouldn't have if it hadn't been for Vitex.
I hope you get your two lines quickly x

@ELW85 I had that one month but when I tested later in the day it was back to high and then peaked the next day - very strange but I had changed the holder thing that day (couldn’t find the one I had been using and they give you a new one in each pack so I used that one) I don’t know if that made a difference?

Could also be that it peaked last night? Sounds weird but if you’re using the clear blue dual hormone ones you can take the test stick out and look at the lines on the back? That should show you if you still have two dark lines or not?

@Peanutty86 thanks for your reply. It’s really good to hear a success story with vitex and I have heard that it balances everything out. My cycles are quite regular since coming off the pill (shortest 26 days and longest 31), but my luteal phase was 9/10 days and is now nearer 13 but with spotting beforehand. Sounds like it helped you to get really regular cycles.

The main thing was I read that vitex works by increasing LH and that in turns lowers FSH and increases/balances progesterone. That all seemed to fit with my blood test results so I think it might be worth a go!

@RoseIvy - it is really strange. I looked back on my strips just now and they look very high from yesterday, and the last time I tested was 16:20 so I could have missed my surge overnight.
Going to BD tonight and tomorrow to cover it, and keep an eye out for other signs.
I’m a bit worried as I’ve never had that short of a surge before...

@ELW85 I think it’s definitely possible that your last ‘high’ was almost peak so you’ve now passed peak stage and missed it. Mine always goes back to low really quickly after peak so it sounds like that’s what has happened.

I would BD today and tomorrow just to make sure you have given yourself every chance! And also you could do an opk later today or tomorrow morning just to check that it has gone back to low (as you said just to double check that ovulation isn’t delayed and that you don’t miss it in a day or two)

Thanks, @RoseIvy - I’ll definitely do that!
My surges are always clockwork; they go from low/zero on CD11, High on CD12, Peak on CD13 and then back to High on CD14, so a short surge isn’t impossible but not like me.
I have been taking a B complex since my last cycle and have just read that it can delay Ov so I’m wondering if it’s that.
I’ve now binned them!

@ELW85 that’s interesting that yours go back to high normally - mine go straight down to low again! Given your cycles are so regular it does sound like you’ve ovulated or are just about to though!

I usually get 4 or 5 high days before peak and never get my peak until day 16 or 17. It’s interesting you say vitamin B complex can cause late ovulation because I’ve been taken them for months! Sometimes I do wonder if I would have been better off not taking any vitamins/doing any tracking and just let nature (hopefully) take its course!!

@RoseIvy it’s the first cycle that it’s done this; so strange. I feel like maybe I’m gearing up to it and it’ll just be a couple of days late but I guess we’ll see if my temps go up in a day or so...
I’ve decided to take a step back from all supplements apart from the conception ones and vit D (I’ve got a diagnosed deficiency). I shouldn’t have self medicated, but B complex has got a relatively short half life, so I should be fine soon!

@ELW85 I’ve had a few cycles with longer surges and some with shorter - but my cycles aren’t exactly the same length every month (27-31 days) whereas it sounds like yours are! If it was the vitamin B complex I would think things get back to normal pretty quickly. I take vitamins B, C, pregnacare pre-conception and now more recently coQ10. Maybe adding vitex to all that isn’t the best idea!

Have you used an opk again today? My temperature has started to rise today, but always takes a couple of days to get to rise properly

@RoseIvy - yes you’re right, mine are always spot on. Pretty short at 25 days but I always Ov on CD13 and then have a 12 day LP.
Hopefully it sorts itself out. My temp has gone up marginally this morning but not beyond a pre-Ov range. Like you though, it takes me a couple of days for my temps to go up, so either way I think by Thursday I’ll know if I’ve just missed the surge or I’m gearing up for Ov.
It’s worrying me a little as it’s the first cycle that’s been off kilter for no reason.
Keep everything crossed for me!

@RoseIvy - I personally wouldn’t add vitex in, as you don’t know how it’s interacring with the others.
I think the CoQ10 is safe. One of the other ladies was told by her fertility consultant to not take any supplements unless her doctor had diagnosed a deficiency in something. I’m starting to think that’s the way forward.

Great that your temps are going up :)

I used an OPK this morning, it’s gone to low. Absolutely bizarre!

@ELW85 you’re right, self medicating is not the answer! I really should be patient and wait to see what a fertility specialist says!

Hopefully your temps increase and show you’ve just missed the surge. Do you normally test using opk in the morning only?

Your cycles are so regular! Have you come off birth control pill recently or have you been charting your cycles for a while? I never thought about how the effects of the pill could last a while after stopping and while I’ve read for some people their cycles snap straight back into the swing of things I don’t think mine have at all!