Do I need a 21 day blood test? Advice please before I phone the Doctr tomorrow!

[LipstickGirl]

although I've only been trying for a few months a previous diagnosis of mild (!) endometriosis and irregular periods (last four cycles 21,29,23,31 days) means that my Doc referred me for day 3 blood tests and and yesterday I had an ultrasound scan. But it was me who asked for the bloods and nobody has mentioned a 21 day test. Should I request this? Perhaps the ultrasound will show it anyway? It was done on day 18.

She's going to send all the results and me to a gynae so maybe I should wait?

Please help, thanks in advance.

X

anyone?

As you are going to see a gynae I would wait. I take it you want the 21 day to see if you are OV? As your cycle is irregular I think it's harder for them to check that.

I don't know what counts as irregular but your cycle sounds pretty good to me. Mind you I've never had a 'regular' cycle - I used to go anywhere from one to six months between cycles, so I guess it's all relative.

Have you considered alternative medicine for regulating your cycle?

Day 3 blood tests are done to check your LH (luteinising hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulation hormone) levels. Both LH and FSH are very important hormones, these two kickstart the ovulation process. If these two hormone levels are awry (a common problem with a condition called polycystic ovaries which can cause irregular periods) then ovulation will be affected. Normally LH and FSH are the same; if LH is higher than FSH this is one possible indicator of PCO.

Also both LH and FSH need to be compared against each other, ensure that is done as sometimes they are only look at as separate items.

A day 21 test is a standard test done to measure progesterone.

Another possible cause of irregular periods is thyroid problems, again blood tests can be done to determine these hormone levels.

An internal ultrasound will check the state of the ovaries (to see if they are polycystic) and the uterine cavity. It will not show any endometriosis deposits as they are too small to be seen. This does not mean to say though that they are not present.

Am glad to read that you've been referred to a gynae having also had the same symptoms as yourself. I was eventually diagnosed with endo and PCOS.

A "normal" cycle is a cycle of between 21 and 35 days OR with less than 4 days of variation from month to month. Your cycle would be seen as irregular anyway due to that second criteria.

Would not self medicate with any "natural" remedies in the meantime (some can make hormonal imbalances worse); I would see what the gynae says first off.

When did you receive the endo diagnosis?.

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

Thanks for your replies,

Attila, I appreciate you sharing your extensive knowledge - thanks. I had a laparoscopy when I was 20 (I'm 32 this year) and had some laser on what they described as few and small deposits. They said I had 'mild' endo but I haven't had any other treatment except Mefenamin Acid for pain though I was on the pill up to a year ago which hides symptoms. My first 8 months off the pill were find and fairly pain free, then for three months it was agonizing for the first day and last month no real pain - and that's what worries me.

As well as the 3 day tests the Doc tested for thyroid and loads of other things - the woman taking the blood commented that I was having a full MOT!

I didn't think an ultrasound could diagnose endo but I think only the gynae can refer me for a lap do will have to wait... Sorry for the long post and thanks again. X