Day 21 blood results - no ovulation

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Hi, I had my day 21 bloods done and results were so low that the Dr said it appears I didn't ovulate. I have been doing opks from cd1 til cd22 (today) and there was a slight lh rise hut no surge and no test line darker or equal to the control. I believe the same happened last month. Any reasons as to why I didn't ovulate? I have been off contraception for about 2 years. The last 6 cycles before the last 2 cycles were REALLY regular (28-31 days with cd15-17 ovulation). Every month I've continues to improve my cycle and diet. It hasn't been a radical change. Dr said I could he 9 months to be referred and wasn't too worried since I know i have ovulated previously.

Is this just a mishap or do I need to go private to get something moving quicker? Any suggestions to 'fix' this and bring my cycle back to normal would be appreciated!

Some info - cannot do bbt due to shifts. I exercise regularly and have a dog so always walking! Bmi is normal and I have no known issues otherwise. DH had an above average SA. I generally have light ish period with little pms symptoms. Cycle 6 was the last cycle when I truly felt any symptoms of pms/thought I was pregnant. Never had a positive in any way. No known family issues - everyone else is getting pregnant!! Help and advice welcome. I know I shouldn't worry or stress but I do have a stressful job and if I'm honest the past few months nothing has really changed!

If you can’t temp due to shifts a Tempdrop might be for you. They’re pricey but the convenience has been worth it in my opinion. As long as you get three hours’ sleep it doesn’t matter what time you sleep.

If you didn’t ovulate on cd14 then a cd21 is likely to not tell you much. It doesn’t mean you’re not ovulating, just that you didn’t ovulate in the week before the test. Anovulatory cycles in pre-menopausal healthy women happen occasionally. If you’ve had a positive OPK in previous cycles a doctor wouldn’t worry about one or two anovulatory cycles. Keep doing OPKs - you may be having a random late ovulation, which also happens. Are you testing twice a day? That can help catch a peak too, and try to keep liquids to a minimum in the couple of hours preceding.

Thank you @kennetrose for your advice. With my job sometimes there are times when I get about 3/4 sleep but majority tends to be 5/6 when I'm on shift. I'll look into it though as not heard about it at all really.

Yeah I've been testing throughout. Sometimes I get about 4 tests a day, again due to shifts I try to test morning afternoon and night but it can vary. I normally ovulate cd15-17 so would have thought cd21 would have low progesterone but he said its really really low indicating no ovulation which would tie in with my cycle so far. I'm cd22 today and got 0.2 on my opk. I don't know how long to keep testing as I've used so many tests this cycle incase I missed it. I feel the cycle is over. AF due in 8 days. Just wondering how late it'll be if no ovulation...! I have increased my fluid intake (I barely drank more than 600ml a day most days) but I've done that the past 2 months and try to test at least 4 hours after a lot of water. I did read that as long as not drinking lots then testing soon after that lh should still be present. I'm only really drinking about 1.5l if I can. I'm 31 and hoping that this isn't the true decline/difficulty beginning but I do worry. Late menopause does run in the family thankfully!

@Loops01 you’re catastrophising! It’s not menopause. Did you have cycle day 3 testing? Look at your FSH level - if that’s in a normal range be reassured.

Keep testing until you get a positive OPK or your period - ovulation could be delayed this month. It happens. Sometimes our bodies like to troll us. I know it sucks to feel like your constantly peeing on sticks, but the data makes it worth it.

Does your doctor want to repeat the test? My cd21 progesterone test was low so my doctor repeated it. I then got it done again by the fertility clinic until they caught a rise, at 5dpo.

@kennetrose no they won't give me dayb3or a repeat. They have just referred me. They have been really difficult. It's taken 3 phonecalls just to get this bloodwork done. Hoping the fertility clinic do more then we finally get there

I would keep testing until AF arrives then you haven't missed anything. I've ovulated after CD21 before. X

It really depends on the level too, OP. Did they tell you what it was?

No he just said that it was like nothing indicating no ovulation. That's why he asked when I should have ovulated. I said should have been Cd17 but never got that surge and he said it would have been higher if it was Cd17. I have been testing but today's cd23 was barely there. The lightest this cycle. I don't really want to keep testing because it is a reminder that it's not there or happening. I honestly think it's a missed cycle and I just want to move on and do things to prevent it happening again but not sure if I can do that? As in have that control

@Loops01 that's great they've referred you! They'll do more tests. I don't think there's really anything you can do yourself. Bodies are trolls. They do what they want. You can do everything "right" (exercise, eat well, drink lots of water, take your vitamins) and your body still won't behave. I wouldn't do more than what you're currently doing - the fertility clinic will run their own tests, and you want those to be true to your body. If you start a bunch of additional supplements the test results may not be accurate and you won't get the advice and help you need.

If you're not ovulating they can prescribe drugs like Clomid and Letrozole to get things going, but if you normally ovulate and it's just been one or two weird cycles then they'll probably ask you to keep trying and to keep tracking for a few more months. TTC is a game of patience

Did they say what your levels were? Mine were quite low and I was told it was unlikely I ovulated but that was the cycle I got a positive test 🤷‍♀️

Yeah what @Test148 said. It really depends on the levels as well. Mine was pretty low (10) last I checked but it’s not impossible to conceive with low levels, just makes it less likely. There’s some good threads on here saying similar, they were told they weren’t ovulating and then they got a bfp. So it very much depends on your numbers and I would definitely suggest you find that information out so you know what you’re dealing with exactly (slightly low/low/very low and so on).

Just called and it was 1.6. A bfp would be great. Not counting on it though! Will see how this next cycle goes and then maybe seek further advice/private help? It's just all so much!

@Loops01 yeah that is very low but they’ll be able to give you things to help you ovulate, so that’s positive.

Thanks @thislittlebird just annoying that I have to wait for the clinic appointment tonget something. I'm hoping it's just a one off type thing and not too frequent! Unless anyone has spare clomid or letrozole going 😉

@Loops01 yeah it could just be a dodgy cycle. Tell me about it. Been wishing someone would let me have some for months and months now. Your referral will likely be better than mine, most people’s seem to be.

@thislittlebird I have been told it could be a 9m wait and then it's just a consultation, tears and scans and that it's usually a year in total before they actually treat. We are tempted to go private. Started 2020 but could be 2023 til pregnant just because they want a 2 year wait. Just a but silly when they will give you the pill so easily to stop pregnancy

@Loops01 yeah it is a bit silly. If you can afford it it does save a lot of time. I’ve spent too long waiting for the nhs to help as is.

Hi OP, just wondering if you went on to ovulate that cycle? I'm in a very similar position right now xx