High level of LH - could this pregnancy related? Anyone an expert on OPK?

[velcrobott]

I wonder if any of you would know why I would have 3 days in a row of high LH (luteinising hormomes)... my ovulation prediction test says that it will not work properly if I am pregnant.
I have not had any periods in 2 months - so no clue where I am in my "cycle" (i use to be very regular), I have had bloods taken and was told "all is fine", I did a pregnancy test earlier this week and it was negative.... but I could well be pregnant but can't detect it yet.

I read the web and the only thing I found for a continued raised level of LH is PCOS which I don't believe I suffer from....

Help ?????

bump?

bump?

When did you have the three days of high LH?

Friday, Sat and sunday (today)
Weird....

Have you used these sticks before and if so, when did you get the LH reading?

Well I used it for the 1st time last WE and it was positive too... for some reason I decided to test again on Friday and it was positive and it keeps being positive !!!
I always test between 6 and 9PM - the test is not out of date and I have had at the most 1 glass of alcohol or none at all.
I am starting to scare myself to be honest!
Thanks for replying though

Well, high LH and irregular cycles are 2 possible symptoms of PCOS. Certainly if you do have consistently high LH, then your OV Pred kit is of little use.

How recently were your bloods taken?
How recently did your cycles become irregular?
Is there any chance that you are using a dud Ov pred kit?

My bloods were taken 2 weeks ago.
It's only since the summer (after my smear) that my cycle went hay-wire !
What's a "dud" Ov pred kit?

I don't know anything about PCOS and I definitely do not understand why you would have positive readings so soon and for so long. My thoughts are:
a) Could pack be faulty?
b) Why not ring the helpline nmber that you will find on the box and they may advise you what you should do next.
c) Could you have ovulated twice in a short space of time? I know cycles are supposed to be fixed, predictable, etc but that is not always the case.
d) Please don't read too much on PCOS and then start worrrying about it. Sometimes we get too much information and then worry unnecessarily.

Thanks chicpea... to be honest I would be amazed if I had PCOS - I have none of the other symptoms... I am just feeling incredibly low - very unlike me..... probably should go to bed and cry my eyes out in DH's arms.... or not

You may be feeling low due to being overtired (don't know ages of your child(ren), it's almost November, all sorts of things, so please stop worrying and ring the helpline number. You may also be feeling low due to the pressure of ttc.
Chin up, take a deep breath - it's a new day tomorrow.

Also meant to say: if the LH readings are high due to you being pregnant, and you tested negative earlier this week, it will take a minimum of two weeks for a positive result from the day your egg was fertilised.
All is not lost.

Thanks Chicpea... slept badly but have too much to do to feel blue today !
This is my question though :
Can LH readings be high due to me being pregnant?

velcrobott - hope you have a hectic but happier day today. I can?t answer your question for sure but I would say that there is a possibility using logic and what I have read over the years - it makes logical sense at least. When could you test again to be sure? ~Especially if you are feeling "hormonal" - ie. weepy, emotional etc. Of course, this could well be just the worry and stress but could have more biological reasons.
Chin up, hope someone in the know can answer you properly rather than just educated guessing.

thanks stripy... off to work now

Hi Velcrobott,

Can you recall your blood test results?. At the very least you should be given a printout of these and have each level explained to you properly.

Did they compare your LH and FSH levels to each other?. If they did not do this, well they should have done. Comparison of these two hormones is essential for any blood test taken.
The problem with saying the hormone levels are "normal" is they may actually be at the top end of what is regarded as "normal".

If LH is higher than FSH this can be indicative of hormonal problems like polycystic ovaries (no other symptoms associated with PCOS are present) or its related syndrome PCOS.

As your periods are currently irregular I would not use opk's at all because in such circumstances they are unreliable. All these kits do is measure the amount of LH hormone. If such hormone levels are elevated then the kit will just read the elevated level. Would suggest therefore you stop using these altogether.

I would also add that another problem with using such kits is that they assume all women have one rise in LH every month. This is simply not true.

Once an OPK shows positive, you do not need to test again as LH will show for a few days to indicate ovulation time. It is possible however to get more than one LH surge in a cycle. If you don't get af in 2 weeks then do a pg test. Good luck.

Thanks everyone... I plan to ask my blood tests results tomorrow to GP...
Your answers are very helpful!

Thought I'd update you - especially MeerkatsUnite.... (if you read this ?)
Saw GP today, didn't give me my results in hand (grrrrr) but she said FSH were higher than normal but not as high as a menopausal woman.... she hadn't checked LH.... she is doing another blood test and will test prolactin and LH (at MY request) and,... if I haven't had a period in1 month she will refer me to a gynecologist !
She said that I might be pre-menopausal.... though unlikley as I am 36.

I have to say I felt really low when I left her office..... don't know what to think - I have never had any gyne problem at all!

Thanks for listening everyone

A pity she didn't check LH initially as this would have saved you perhaps another blood test now (though perhaps not in the future). Am glad though she is also looking at your prolactin levels as elevated levels of this can cause ovulation problems (these can be corrected).

Do keep us posted as to developments, will look out for your message.

Would also doubt that you're pre menopausal btw.

HTH

Meekats

Quick question if you are still reading this ? Should the LH and FSH levels be checked in the same blood sample ? Not sure if she is re-testing FSH.....
Thanks for the info though

sorry can?t answer your question - hope someone will soon.
Sounds like your GP left you with more questions than answers no wonder you are feeling down - the waiting and not knowing must be driving you to distraction.
I really hope this next batch of results will help to make the picture clearer for you. Thinking of you xx

Hi,

Re the blood test both LH and FSH levels should be checked and compared against one another at the same time.

HTH

Meerkats

Well they won't be measured simulatenously again.... grrr.... useless GP ! I think she has no clue what to do!
I managed to see my FSH levels on the screen as I read my file (from last blood test) : 89.4u/l .... but today we are measuring my prolactin level .... it is bloody annoying!