Yet another blood test question!

[bubblebell1]

today i went for some blood tests.. testosterone, progesterone, FSH, LH, SHGB, thyroid function and oestradiol. Does anyone know what the results should be if i were 'normal'or what the tests are looking for?. Just so i know what i should ask the gp when the results some back.

i have been refered for a scan and these bloodtests as i have irregular, heavy and painful periods since finishing the pill in oct.

thanks bubble xxx

You may find this webpage useful:-

www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html

Your LH and FSH should ideally be tested around day 3 of the cycle and also should be compared against each other. If the level of LH is higher than that of FSH this could be one possible indicator of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which can cause irregular periods.

Regardless of how the blood test results come back you should be referred to a gynae for further evaluation and diagnosis. Both irregular and painful periods are very good reasons for referral and further investigation. None of these tests will pick up endometriosis (this can cause v painful periods) and fiborids (these can cause heavy bleeding) if they are present.

The internal ultrasound scan should detect fibroids but it will NOT detect endometriosis if it is there.

thanks Atilla

Gp said that i could just have tests now as my periods are few and far between.

i hope they find something that can be fixed.

Well my blood test results are back and i asked the receptionist to read the figures. i didnt write them down but i think LH was 10 and FSH 7. it also said that progesterone levels indicate im in the luteal phase.... does that mean u dont have progesterone before you ov???

Not sure what progesterone levels should be before ovulation, but I know it surges after ov to help the embryo implant...

Ooohh - just looked at some of my test results, and although they are in French I think the levels pre-ov should be between 0.2-1.5ng/ml and after ov between 1.7-27.0ng/ml. Hope I've understood them correctly

HTH!

thanks monkey. im sure the receptionist said my progesterone level was 5. does that mean its too low? im confused.

Hhhmmm. Not sure. It would indicate you were in the luteal phase...
I think the guideline levels are a bit ambiguous - it doesn't say whether those levels are for women who are pg or not pg, and it doesn't allow for the change in levels from Day 21 when there's a surge, to the end of the cycle where the progesterone levels must presumably drop when AF starts.

Have you got an appt with your GP to discuss the results? I agree with attila that you should be referred to a gynae. Can you try and get a copy of your results so that you can take them with you if you do go to a gynae? I'm in Belgium, and we are given copies of everything, which certainly makes life easier.

Try not to worry too much, as for all we know that might be a really good result for your progesterone level

Will you let us know how you get on at the GP's?

im seein the gp tomorrow afternoon and i will def tell you what she says.

im just confused coz bloodtests were a week ago and if progesterone was 5 then then wouldnt AF be here by now?

thanks for all your advice

I'd be confused too. I hope the GP can shed some light...

Good luck, and I'll check back tomorrow to see how you got on!

Progesterone level can only be interpreted by knowing where it is in the cycle.

It needs to be taken in the mid luteal phase, which is half way in between ovulation and your period. For most women the luteal phase is fairly consistent at about 12-14 days, it is the first part of the cycle before ovulation that varies.

This means that the blood test for most women should be taken approximately a week before your period (or a week after ovulation if you are monitoring it). For a woman with a 28 day cycle this will be day 21. But no point doing it on day 21 if your cycle is more than a couple of days longer or shorter than 28 days as it will be meaningless. You need to adjust the date.

So after saying that, if your blood was taken at the right time, then a level of 30 or more is needed to say you have ovulated that cycle.

A level of 5 would show either you did not ovulate this cycle or the test was mistimed.

Hope that helps

thanks mags..

im on cd43 now bloods were taken a week ago. GP said it didnt matter what day i had tests as i have an irregular cycle.

i am feeling frustrated as it seems like they dont actually know whats wrong with me.

i am just interested to know so they dont fob me off when i go tomorrow. the dr is therefore wrong to suggest im in the luteal phase if a level of 5 indicates ive not ovd.

tis all so mind boggling

No, you could still be in the luteal phase -but if so, it would sugesst this cycle you did not ovulate. That does not mean that you didn't last cycle though, and says nothing about next cycle either.

If your periods are irregular though, it is likely that you had it taken at the wrong time.

I think unless you know the definite timings (confirmed by positive ovulation kit 7 days before the test, your period arriving a week or so after the test - or a positive pregnancy test - then in your case this result is actually fairly meaningless and can't really be interpreted at all.

You may need serial blood tests.

thanks mags

Hi bubblebell Just been lurking on the antenatal threads, as you do , and saw your posts on Due Oct - that's great if you are pg, congratulations!

What did the doctor say? Did s/he say what the result of 5 meant?

Hope you're okay, as you sounded a bit worried and unsure...

xxx

Hi monkey.

yes i got a faint bfp this morn and told dr when i had app this afternoon. she said that my results were irrelevant now that im pregnant and didnt discuss them she said they would just cause me unnecessary worry.

dr didnt do any tests as such but has reffered me to antenatal. i phoned back this evening and asked for a blood test to put my mind at ease. just got to wait now.

i am just so worried its a fake bfp. worried it will all go wrong