Start of fertility testing

[Peonies94]

Anyone else at the start of fertility testing? I’ve had my first bloods and had husband is waiting for his SA. My bloods weren’t done on any particular day of the cycle, and I have no idea what rhey were looking for. I phoned for results and have been told the gp hasn’t looked at them yet, but there’s no ‘red’. I’m assuming they won’t be looking at ovulation, which I am pretty certain I’m not ovulating, as I’m only having around 3 periods a month. Currently 3 months since last period. If anyone else is around the same place in the process or could help me with what they may be testing, that would be really helpful! Thank you

Hello - yes I think it's for ovulation?! Actually don't know. Yes the SA seems so easy compared to us doesn't it! My blood test results came back in a week, I wonder if the SA has the same turnaround?

@bravotango no idea on tests sorry, but definitely welcome to join! Hello! My husband SA is next week! I’ve only just had my first set of bloods so no results from us yet!

@bravotango I think ovulation needs to be over 30 for positive ovulation I've had many of these over the last year

Ok thank you, mine is low then. Hopefully it's because the day wasn't quite right, fingers crossed for next month.

@bravotango mine was low a coups of times mine has been tested but that's because day 21 isn't the magic number of you ovulate day 15 /16 then you have to get tested 7 days after that and vice Versa if you ovulate earlier than day 14 I got myself really hung up on figures etc but the test which is the most important if you have to go ahead with fertility treatment is AMH and your follicle count . Good luck with everything

Thanks for the suggestions for the other tests, I'll definitely look into that thanks so much. Fingers crossed for both of us

@bravotango good luck!

So I’ve just had my bloods back the receptionist said they’re ‘normal’ but I can request the actual results from my GP if I phone Monday! I’m really annoyed as They have been in the GP since Monday, and I haven’t been able to have them because he’s not ‘read them’. But I had a late start and early finish in work today (that never happens) I work 7-5 Monday to Friday so was hoping with today I could phone them and arrange further testing. Instead I have to wait til Monday and 8am is a very busy time of day (until about 9am) when I’ll probably get told there’s no more appointments and I have to phone the next day, I’m pretty sure this will just happen all week! Really frustrated how something which should be so simple has been made pretty complicating by my surgery, I just needed to rant! Sorry!

So frustrating!! Does your GP offer e-consults? I suppose 'normal' is a good start

Peonies

Never accept normal and besides which doing blood tests on the "wrong" cycle days gives a meaningless result. Do not be fobbed off. I would also consider registering with another GP practice as it is no point in communicating with those who do not listen or muck about in ignorance. These types of problems as well are well outside a GPs remit in any case .

Blood tests can also be done according to calendar days; this is what happened to me when my menstrual cycles were as irregular as yours are (and my diagnosis was PCOS). Such tests should be done and ideally repeated on the 2nd and 21st of each month.

Having read your posts I would have thought PCOS is behind your symptoms here.

These tests as well should be done in a subfertility unit; the best thing the GP should do now is to refer you on to them. The tests done to date will have to be repeated for you both in any case.

Hi Atila, I'm now on CD32 so clearly my CD21 test should have been a few days later which is reassuring me a bit about the results. Am going to book another one for next month anyway which hopefully will shed some light. Have my referral to the Hewitt centre in Liverpool which could take 2 months to be seen but fingers crossed that comes around soon!

@AttilaTheMeerkat thank you! I will be pushed to be referred further! I have to phone back tomorrow so hopefully I’ll get more tests and be referred! Yes that’s how I feel, they say it’s normal, but also it’s not normal to not have periods for 70 to 100 + days! I’ve had cycles like this since I first started my period then went on the pill until 2020!

On other news AF arrived today, I’m always feel so weird after it being so long and sad to know I’m not pregnant, I’m also relieved to have period! It’s a weird feeling! (cycle day 96 this time)! I’m a little frustrated as myself and DH DTD evry other day, until 30th December And had a 10 day break, turns out if I did ovulate, I have missed it, after all that work for 80 days🤦🏻‍♀️! Ahh well another month..

@Peonies94 just read your post about them saying everything was normal, I was told the same answer by the receptionist back in March last year. I asked her for specifics and they were far from normal 🙄 I think they forget how they're dealing with peoples lives. Hopefully all is normal for you 🤞🏻

@xoJellyBean I didn’t ask for details and now I’m kicking myself for it! I did phone phone back this morning and they called me back this afternoon and told me I’ve been referred to gynaecology for a scan, but there’s quite a large waiting list ! Hopefully I’ll hear soon! Thank you! I kind of know something isn’t normal, as I shouldn’t be having periods 4x a year! 🤷‍♀️ Hopefully gynae will be more help! Hope your doing okay anyways?

Anyone else had any updates or gotten any further with their tests? Hope everyone’s doing okay!

@Peonies94
I still have to wait until early Feb for my next scan, but my partner has now booked a GP appointment to ask for a SA, so hopefully he'll get those results in time for me to talk to my GP about my ultra sound results

@Omgdnswv how long ago were you referred? I’m hoping the wait won’t be too long! How far in advance did you get your letter too?I was kind of expecting to have some swabs as well as a scan, but that as the only thing the gp mentioned so far! My husband his his SA this week!

Goodluck!

@Peonies94
23rd of December when I got the results of my 2nd ultrasound and the GP said they wanted a 3rd one. Should have asked what the point of another one was when they're not trying anything to get a different result, but was running errands and was out of the house at the time of the call and didn't think about questioning the doctor

@Omgdnswv ahh okay, hopefully mine will only be a month or two wait! so annoying isn’t it! I did the same with results just agreed as I was busy in work and then thought.. ahh I should have asked really! I see where your coming from though a third seems extreme, when you’ve already had 2 tests and they haven’t given you snything!🤷‍♀️ Good luck anyways!

@Omgdnswv I just had my letter through for my scan now! Mine is 31st January! Husband should have his SA results around the same day too! 🤞

Wow that's soon!! Fantastic! What is the scan for exactly? I'm hoping to get a bit more info after my next blood test but still in the meantime waiting for my Hewitt referral appointment to come through.

@Peonies94 woww that's so quick 🤞🏻

@bravotango no idea! 🤷‍♀️ I’ve had 1 blood test so far (just a random day not 3 and 21) only had the one! And then I got referred as they were ‘normal’! I have really irregular periods (around 4 a year) so think they’re investigating that!
Yes I was surprised at how quickly i had the letter! Thank you both.

Great, well it sounds like they're being thorough which is good. Hope it goes well!

@bravotango thank you!

No news here - I've had no testing but am waiting for a call from the Subfertility unit at my local hospital. Been waiting since November, but the letter said they'd be in touch by 3rd Feb, so hoping any day now! Just want to get the ball rolling so I feel like we're making some (any!) progress.