Please can someone explain FSH levels to me

[sammysam]

I had cd21 bloods taken this month which have come back with low FSH levels. The question I have is the bloods were taken on day 24 (asuming my cycle would be 31 days aain this month) but my chart on fertilityfriend says I ov'd on cd23-could this be the reason behind the low levels or should they be high by the time you ov? Sorry for my simple-ness

I'm having the test repeated next month but would like to try and understand this before then

sammysam,

Who is telling you the results of the blood tests?.

FSH and LH levels are usually measured far earlier in the cycle (around day 3). FSH and LH levels should be compared at that time. Progesterone is usually measured around day 21, not FSH.

Are you under the care of a gynae at a subfertility unit?.

Oh shit from what I can make out from my google I think the fact that the test was so close to ov means they should have recorded higher levels

GP-to be honest i'm not sure she has a clue what she is doing. But nor do I.
She checked everything at that one test-I'm assuming to try and save on repeated testing.
So does that mean that those results mean squat? Should I try and ask for a cd3 test?

Feeling at the mo as can feel af on her way and also have my ultrasound today and i'm quite scared about it

Bump

sammysam,

GP should now be referring you to a gynae at a subfertility unit.

If FSH was not measured on or around day 3 then the test result is meaningless. Its progesterone that is measured on day 21. Also FSH is usually measured in conjunction with LH; not on its own.

Please do not worry yourself unduly re the ultrasound, have had more of these than I can count!. (I take it as read that an internal ultrasound will be performed. This will give the sonographer a indication of what your uterine cavity and ovaries look like; they are probably checking to see if your ovaries look polycystic. PCO is a very common condition).

I would ask for a referral to a gynae regardless of the result of the ultrasound.

Thank you Attila. Had the ultrasound and is showed nothing, the woman how performed it was surprised my blood hadn't been checked for PCO as she said that you can have PCO without signs of cysts-so more evidence gp hasn't a clue
When I saw gp she said we'd have to wait til we'd been trying at leat 18 months (only on 12 now).

Please could you tell me what I need to ask for as I obviously need to go back and question a few things.
When the results of the bloods came back she rang and just said she wanter to repeat the bllods at the same time next month-obviously this would be a waste of time!
She is a very young and strange gp indeed-she repeats and finishes off every sentance you say!!!
I am not a very forceful person at all so I find situations like this very difficult and always get fobbed off

sammysam,

The usual blood tests go like this:-

day 3 LH and FSH levels. Can also be done on day 10. LH and FSH must be comapred against one another; in this way any abnormality can be seen. A level of LH which is consistently higher than that of FSH is one possible indicator of PCOS.

day 21 progesterone levels. This will show whether ovulation has occured or not.

The cystic follicles associated with PCO can be very small and it can take a skilled operator to spot them. Also these follicles do come and go - this may be also why none were spotted.

It may be an idea to take someone along with you (your man for instance) if you feel easily intimidated. Also this can offer moral support and can ask questions.

I would at the very least seek advice from another GP at this practice. If this is not possible I would change GP practice; its no point in working with someone you have little confidence and or faith in.

I would also ask for a referral now as you have been ttc for a year without success. Gynaes generally like to see people after 12 months. I think waiting another 6 months is unreasonable as you could also be waiting up to six months to see a gynae anyway.

Thank you Attila. I wander why she couldn't have looked that up? She isn't actually my gp but she is the one I saw and now is following it up. The surgery has now started doing telephone only triage so no luck with having dp with me
I just always thought that there was no way i'd get to see a gynae very soon as i'm only 26 and already have a dd. Would this go against me?