First bloods with gp to check fertility

[sausageface]

Wasn't sure if to post this in the infertility section or here but hopefully some insightful people will see it!

I'm having my first set of bloods tomorrow from the gp (my cd3 bloods) along with thyroid bloods etc etc and she's starting referral to fertility clinic for me too and mentioned an ultrasound. Just wondering on what to expect from it all I suppose/what checks and tests they do before you get to a point of clomid for example (if that is indeed needed). It should be noted that I'm technically in the obese category but am of course trying to drop weight and am making progress with this. Will I be met with lots of comments about being an awful person for not being the ideal weight already?

Hi, I don’t think you’ll be met with those comments, I haven’t been & im in the same boat. What cycle are you on?

I’ve been able to ovulate fine before- got pregnant 3 times on first try but all 3 were losses. This time round I’ve put on a fair bit of weight and am in the obese category. I have lost 20lbs though, only 10 more pounds away to my weight when I got pregnant the last time.

Although weight and losing weight is important, it’s equally if not more important to get your diet right as it could be impacting ovulation. It’s been a few months for me and I haven’t ovulated. I’ve had the day 3 & 21 tests along with the prolactin, thyroid etc. All have come back fine, just showing I’m not ovulating.

I’m on cycle 8 so have decided to go private, dr has done follicle monitoring this cycle and confirmed I haven’t ovulated again. Husband and I need to discuss but I think we will opt for cloning next cycle. There are no further tests they can do to try and understand why I am not ovulating but highly likely due to weight/previous diet which has led to me being obese. Hope that’s helped- let me know if you have any more qs.

I am in exactly the same position as you.

I am going for bloods tomorrow morning and waiting for an ultrasound.

DH took a sample to the clinic last week and waiting on the results.

Have been told by my GP that once my bloods come back will be referred to the clinic.

Both myself and DH are slightly overweight but I'm struggling to eat better at the moment with COVID and lockdown. I really want to get pregnant and know that loosing weight will help me but I just can't see to get focused how are you keeping on track?

The basic protocol is day 3 and day 21 bloods, an ultrasound and a sperm analysis.

It's important to start (if you're not already) track ovulation for the bloods. Although it's day 21 bloods, really they mean 7 days post ovulation.

They might also take a STI test to rule out that as well.

These tests will highlight anything major : obvious as to why you're not getting pregnant.

If nothing comes up they might do a test where they flush your tubes with dye (I never had that one) and a second sperm test for your partner.

Then depending on those results you'll discuss treatment options.

Thanks all for your responses.

@ElleL91 how funny we're both having first bloods tomorrow! Keep me updated on how you get on.
My husband already has some sperm frozen (they did this before he started chemo) and we know that it's not on top form (I think it's the concentration?) but also know this could be different once he's retested-dependant on lots of factors!

I've been told by the gp she'll send me for an ultrasound and an Sti check too which is great, she knows of my weight so I'm pleased that's not causing any delays with these initial stages at least. I was worried it would make them not even humour me!

@Greenbks I've never been pregnant before (although spent years preventing it so not a huge surprise!) I was tracking ovulation before and got positive ovulation sticks basically the same time each month but I've since learned that this doesn't actually mean I've ovulated right? I didn't know the type of diet I had could have an impact on ovulation, I thought it was just weight related? I'll have to look that up, thanks!

@Twizbe thanks for this! I ovulate around cd22 and the dr said it was about having bloods 7 days before my next cycle starts. Because I don't have a standard luteal phase I wouldn't be able to get 7 days post ovulation and 7 days before next cycle. I suppose I just go with the 7 days before next cycle this time and then chat with the dr when we discuss results if it could of been affected by this?

@sausageface yeah my GP knows I'm overweight too and I was pleased that he was really nice and has started the ball rolling. I was worried that he would just be like go loose weight and come back in 6 months sort of thing which would have upset me. All I've been thinking about is that there's something wrong etc so glad my mind will be put at ease once we find out what's going on.

Just got back from having my bloods done and the nurse was so miserable!! I tried to make conversation with her and she just totally blanked me didn't say a word haha! Hope you get a better nurser today!

Would be lovely to keep in touch with you through this journey. I don't know anyone else who has been through this so would be nice to have someone to talk to who's at the same stage as me.

X

Hi @ElleL91 had my bloods yesterday, luckily with the nicest man! I'm a bit anxious now I'm waiting for results though, are you feeling the same? It's the fear that you could eventually face (although not at this stage I know) that you could never have kids (nice and dramatic aren't I 🤣)

We luckily get all our results through on an app with our gp so will keep an eye, I'm assuming I won't hear from the dr until after The next blood test? Hope you're not feeling as anxious as I am!

@sausageface I'm not sure how I'm feeling tbh. DH got his sample results back yesterday and they are fine his count is nice and high so no issues with him. I was happy that there wasn't anything wrong there but then a little panicky that it could be me who has a problem so mixed feelings.

I do feel the same re what if I can never have kids and like what would we do etc I can't imagine not having any children. I think we can get some IVF on the NHS but once we'd used up our free cycles we wouldn't be able to afford to self fund so not sure what our options would be after that.

How old are you? I'm 29 (not really that old!) but feel like I'm soooooo old and that time is running out like every month and that terrifies me do you feel like that at all?

x

Hi @ElleL91 have you had your results back yet? I've had mine through on my app but not been debriefed by my dr yet. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for from my fsh and LH levels nor my progesterone or oestriadol for that matter!! The others I know are fine thankfully!

@sausageface

Hi mine have come back on the app so I rang my Drs on Monday to see if he had looked at the yet. They told me that they were all fine apart from one to do with my cholesterol so apparently the nurse is ringing me tomorrow about it.

I had my ultrasound yesterday and have been told that one of my ovaries is borderline polycystic but they couldn't say it for certain as my Dr will need to review the scans alongside my bloods so I'm guessing I will be getting a phone call from the Dr at some point next week as well.

It's driving me mad though because now it's got me worrying like I'd rather he didn't say anything and then at least I wouldn't be thinking about it all the time!

My DH wanted to try tonight but I'm just really not in the mood at all as all I can think is what's the point If one of my ovaries isn't working properly.

Keeping my fingers crossed that yours are all ok have you been given an appointment for an ultrasound?

x

Hello lovely

I'm due to start IVF this month or next depending on dates so had a few tests

We had day 21 bloods for me, sti test and I was also referred for a HyCoSy (once at fertility clinic) to check my tubes

My partner has had one SA

To get the referral we just needed the SA and day 21 bloods. A lot of places have different criteria and test different things. I have never had day 3 bloods for example. It will also depend on your personal circumstances as to whether further or different ones are required.

As I said once at the clinic we had ultrasound, they do test you for smoking and your BMI also when there. The only other test I have had now since being on the waiting list and making it 'top of the list' is BVV bloods and thyroid which I got done on Monday :)

Wishing you all the best!

Hi @ElleL91 sorry I've not responded sooner! How did your feedback go from your ultrasound? I've got my second lot of bloods tomorrow (I have long cycles!) and then an ultrasound on Xmas eve (lucky me 🤣) so will know more in the new year.

What does the ultrasound look for? They didn't really explain this bit to me!

@willithappen thanks for letting me know the process and I hope everything goes smoothly for you. Did they find what was causing issues? I've heard so much about unexplained infertility and I find that awful, at least if there's something then you know why it's not happening right!

@sausageface

The Dr only rang me yesterday he said re my bloods that the hormone that makes you ovulate was low so that could be the reason why I haven't had any luck yet (even though when I called to check they said they were all fine?!).

My USS was fine apart from having cysts in my right ovary but he doesn't think they are polycystic cysts because my bloods were ok so he doesn't know what type they are like what does that mean what are they!!

With the USS they are just looking at your womb and ovaries to check that all is as it should be etc. I ended up having a trans vaginal one because apparently I didn't drink enough so he couldn't see everything properly.

Hopefully you won't need to have a transV one like me nobody's got time for that on bloody Xmas eve haha.

Dr has also sent the referral off to the fertility clinic so I just need to wait for an appointment, hope it's not too long a wait.

Hope all goes well let me know how you get on.

X

Haha unfortunately they've said that it'll be an internal ultrasound regardless so happy Christmas to me I guess 🤣🤣 my gp said that fertility referrals are only taking around 3 months in my area so hopefully it's something similar for you too! Will let you know when my bloods are back, I'm in this panic stage of 'what if I don't ovulate' so this is fun 🙄