2023 TTC 35+ Part 6

[VixFromThe6ix]

New thread as the other one ran out of space

That doesn't sound right, before my GP had even put me on the gynae waiting list he ordered me blood tests so that when I got seen by the hospital they would have results ready. He had also referred me for a scan separate to the gynae referral. I would try a different GP

Thanks @Sp2025 , reassuring to know I hadn't got things wrong! The bloods aren't even done at my actual GP surgery anymore it's all at the hospital so they just need to print me the form, so frustrating.
I will try my best to get in with a female GP on Monday and see if that makes a difference x

@H0pefull I was similarly fobbed off by my GP - have been really unimpressed by them actually. Ended up bypassing them now and am just under the EPU and, if this does end in loss, they will refer me directly to fertility clinic without having to involve GP which I'm happy about.

So... Still awaiting latest blood tests. But have missed scan clinic today anyway so will be Monday at the earliest... My original due date from my MMC..!! Couldn't write it eh? 🙃😌

@SnookyPook feeling the same, completely unimpressed! Hopefully it doesn't come to that for you, but good to know you have a plan just incase!

Ahh that is such mixed feelings for you! When are you expecting your latest blood tests?

Thank you

Honestly - use hertility health if you havent already - 150 gbp v well spent

Also - thyroid wise nhs only looked at tsh
This month

Whereas 65 gbp tp boots online dr - they looked at t4 too...

Health = wealth

Also @H0pefull if you havent had full blood count in last 6 months - request that

Superdrug you can pay 40 gbp for progesterone test - do it 4 days after ovulation

I spoke to a female gp registrar
Monday - v v empathetic & sympathetic

As sexist as it sounds - often female medics get it more

@H0pefull you didnt get it wrong. I was told last year by the drs that the gyne clinic wont eccept new patiants unless the female has day 2 day 21 and prolactin results on file and the male the sperm analysis. Are you able to change drs? Last thing you want is to get your gyne appointment for them to then say, no,we cant see you until this that and the other and refer you back to your drs. Its on the the nhs website too,so if needs be, print it off, make a random appointment and take it with you and just stand your ground until you are heard x

@Supertrooper101 oh heck I had no idea about that! Even more frustrating now that these tests weren't offered in my initial GP appointment. Thank you so much for that info, it's really helpful. You're absolutely right I would hate to finally get a gynae appointment to then be told we don't have the right test on file. I will definitely push for this on Monday.

My partner & I are at different GP surgeries, do you know if the sperm analysis is something he can ring up and request? Sorry for all the questions, this side of it is all so new to me. You've been a great help x

My husband and I are at different GPs also. He just rang up and asked for a SA and they booked him in for one. When you finally have your gynae app, they will have looked at yours and your partners results so they will already have an idea of what's going on and then discuss next steps. It just saves so much time

Thanks so much @Sp2025 that's really useful. I will let him know & he can ring for this on Monday while I ring for bloods. I'm sure he'll be thrilled 😅

@H0pefull you haven't got it wrong. I see no reason why you can't get all the bloods done now. Hertility is fine but for all the bloods you can get on the NHS, you're essentially paying £150 for AMH and possibly DHEA and AMH will be tested for in the fertility clinic. Don't worry too much about thyroid, it is correct that only TSH is requested but if that's abnormal, the NHS laboratory will test for free T4. Hope you get to speak to the female GP.

@H0pefull I agree. Your GP fobbed you off incorrectly. I got sent for blood tests last time after 1 year of trying. And this time I requested blood tests right at the start of our journey and am booked in for some.

So just took another opk and pretty sure this is peak now. Eventhough premom says it's 0.91

Those that have had miscarriages are advised by tommys to get thyroid checked

@worldwidetravel2017 the thyroid test is a standard and important NHS test. TSH is tested in the first instance and is usually a reliable marker of thyroid function. However if it is abnormal, the NHS laboratory will check free T4. It's not an unreasonable test for an NHS GP to request for a patient who is TTC.

@FigandHoney definitely looks positive! Good luck

@worldwidetravel2017 I can see how my post said "don't worry about thyroid" which can obviously be misconstrued. I really meant don't worry about only getting it checked by the NHS because the results are reliable. It does not require a private provider.

Urgh decided stupidly to do a pregnancy test after 9/10dpo and of course if was negative. I didn't waste one of my FRER ones at least, just used a boots strip at least.

Why does time pass so slow during TWW?

Hi ladies... Unfortunately not looking good here. HCG has barely risen since Tuesday. Have had a good cry and accepted my fate. For whatever reason, this just isn't my year. Very thoughtful of little bean to keep all the crappiness to the same weekend. I'm just hoping that the physical side of things doesn't drag on too long or cause any issues.

Positives I am choosing to focus on:

• it will be out of the way before Christmas
• we can focus on a fresh start in the New Year
• will get my fertility referral now and hopefully some answers etc

It's not looked good from the beginning so at least it's not caught me completely off-guard like the MMC did. Still crappy though. It struck me that my friend who had the same due date as me now has her little girl, and all I've got to show in the same time-frame is 3 losses... 😌 what a year...

@H0pefull you need everything ready for your gyne appointment. Why waste my time going thr basic bloods with gyne when they can hopefully offer solutions not a simple blood test. My partner is at a different drs. It took him three attemps to get the form tho so your partner needs to be persistant. The 3rd call i told him to say were under gyne and he HAS to have a sperm test. Got the form that day. BUT around my area there is a huge waiting list for that too. We booked september and not in until end of nov and thats having to travel over an hour. And if you need to book a room for him then the wait list is even longer. You only have 45mins to drop a sample off too. It all takes so long, you really need to push it so your ready for that 1st appointment. Then you can say, look, ive done all this, now tell me what you are going to do...kinda thing lol

@H0pefull your time lol not my time lol

@SnookyPook I’m so sorry lovely, you must be devastated. This is so unfair for you 💔 but you’re quite right with all those positive points you’ve listed, and that’s a great way to look at it! I hope you can get your referral underway as soon as you feel ready. Sending you so much love, we are all here for you xxxx

Thank you so much everyone for all your advice this afternoon! I feel so overwhelmed with it all but it’s great to be able to get the advice from people who have been through it🤍
I managed to fill in an online form around lunchtime and a GP actually called me straight away! Wasn’t a female but he was lovely, he apologised and was shocked I’ve been referred to gynae without any of these tests being done prior. Anyway long story short he did my forms there and then for both sets of bloods and was able to get an appointment straight away so I’m just back from having my first lot! This is what he requested, and then I’ll go back in a few weeks around day 21. He has also referred me for a scan just to cover all bases! Feeling much better now, thanks again for all your advice xx

@SnookyPook Im so very sorry to hear that. Hope you get some answers now that you are being referred for further support.

@FigandHoney definitely time to get that man on board.

@H0pefull wow, that was quick! Did you do fsh/lh on day 2-5? I got similar tests ordered by my (female) GP recently.

@Angelsrose @worldwidetravel2017 agree re. NHS tests as first port of call. We are lucky to have these available. AMH is only really useful if you plan to do IVF.