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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Low SHBG - feeling sad

10 replies

HayMay · 01/03/2022 12:03

Hi, we've been TTC for about 4 months but I didn't have confirmed ovulation for 2 of the months.

I've paid to have some blood tests done just to check things out and they've come back today to say my SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is low - see below.

I know I need to lose weight and get fitter, but I feel worried and sad :(

Has anyone experienced this too and managed to conceive?

Thanks for listening x

OP posts:

Bundaberg84 · 01/03/2022 22:06

How are your other results?
Have you been tested for PCOS?

MumsMetHer · 01/03/2022 22:13

I had bloods done recently, looking into recurrent miscarriages (although I'm also struggling to conceive) and had low SHBG.

The doctor (who was not quite qualified) seemed to think it wasn't a problem if the other hormones were OK. Do you mind me asking what you've been told about low SBGH and the implications for conception?

I'm lucky enough to already have two children, which I appreciate makes my situation very different. I'm also very overweight (BMI 32, I think).

Original poster

HayMay · 02/03/2022 07:43

@Bundaberg84

How are your other results? Have you been tested for PCOS?

All the other results looked ok I think, in the summary they just said that my SHBG levels were low.

I'm not having much luck at the GP with tests which is why I paid to have these done separately although I did have an ultrasound a few weeks ago and was told that it was all satisfactory (by the receptionist!) - I have asked to speak to the doctor and I would like a copy of my results so I have everything together so I guess I could still have PCOS maybe although don't really have the common symptoms.

I'm overweight so I need to really commit now to being better, I think I just got myself in a tiz and was thinking the worse! x

OP posts:

Original poster

HayMay · 02/03/2022 07:44

@Bundaberg84

How are your other results? Have you been tested for PCOS?

PS - forgot to add that I'll be having a progesterone test later this cycle to confirm ovulation/progesterone levels etc. x

OP posts:

Original poster

HayMay · 02/03/2022 07:48

@MumsMetHer

I had bloods done recently, looking into recurrent miscarriages (although I'm also struggling to conceive) and had low SHBG.

I'm lucky enough to already have two children, which I appreciate makes my situation very different. I'm also very overweight (BMI 32, I think).

I think my other hormones looked ok from the report attached (fingers crossed) although waiting for an ovulation/progesterone test later this cycle to confirm ovulation.

My GP hasn't been great which is why I paid for blood tests myself - I have had an ultrasound but the receptionist (!) just said it was satisfactory so I have asked to see the dr to discuss which is later this week so maybe I could still have PCOS, although don't really have any of the other symptoms.

I haven't been told anything re low SHBG levels so hope to not have worried you! It's just based on my own googling and overthinking which is not a good combo!!! My mind just goes to the worst case all the time, but hopefully by eating better and exercising more it will help me. I was hoping that people with low levels were able to conceive to give me a boost but there doesn't seem to be too many posts out there about it does there?
Baby dust to you xx

OP posts:

TheDaydreamBelievers · 02/03/2022 07:54

I've had a lot of tests (2 yrs TTC) and no one in NHS or private has ever looked at SHBG

Original poster

HayMay · 02/03/2022 08:06

@TheDaydreamBelievers

I've had a lot of tests (2 yrs TTC) and no one in NHS or private has ever looked at SHBG

Thank you, that makes me feel a bit better! It's just the report recommends I book another appt with my GP to discuss so think I was just working myself up! Are there any other tests you'd recommend getting done privately?

Thanks for replying. Baby dust to you xx

OP posts:

TheDaydreamBelievers · 02/03/2022 09:51

When you say not ovulating what do you mean @HayMay? Like long cycles that never go anywhere? Or normal length cycles but progesterone suggests no ov?

Original poster

HayMay · 02/03/2022 10:00

@TheDaydreamBelievers

When you say not ovulating what do you mean *@HayMay*? Like long cycles that never go anywhere? Or normal length cycles but progesterone suggests no ov?

I think I'm ovulating based on OPK test and BBT monitoring (this was my last chart) but I'm not sure how strong my levels are etc as I've never had a huge rise in temp (but you can distinguish it?!) but out of the last 4 months of tracking - only on 2 months I've seen the BBT temp shift, the other 2 months were not clear looking at BBT charts.. however.. I was travelling long haul one month and then I got covid and had the covid booster jab which also impacted my cycles for 1/2 months (skipped a whole cycle). I do track cm etc too.

I guess now my cycle is back and I've had one month of confirmed ovulation (I think!) I thought it might be helpful to check progesterone levels? Xx

OP posts:

Original poster

HayMay · 02/03/2022 10:03

@TheDaydreamBelievers

When you say not ovulating what do you mean *@HayMay*? Like long cycles that never go anywhere? Or normal length cycles but progesterone suggests no ov?

Also, strangely, even though I think I ovulated and have since had my period, my temps are still sitting at the 36.68c range, so don't seem to have dropped back to the lower range! Not sure what's going on but still trying to understand tracking and my body! X

OP posts:

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