Day 21 Bloods/Late Ovulation

lemonyfox · 2023-11-21T11:08:19+00:00

Back story: a year TTC #2, have had two ectopics and only one tube left (but have had an ectopic in the remaining tube too), PCOS and long but regular cycles. I'm 32. I had my day 2-4 bloods this week and my husband is doing his sample later this week too. The clinic said the Dr will likely order the day 21 progesterone test. When I explained I don't ovulate until days 24-28, they said it didn't matter as they would only do it on day 21 and won't repeat the test later in my cycle. They said the Dr will likely recommend medication first if it shows I've not ovulated. But of course it won't, because I know I only ovulate later. So what's the point? Anybody had any experience navigating something similar?

Goldendoodlelover · 21/11/2023 13:50

Hiya - I have been in a similar boat. I had some baseline bloods done (been ttc number 1 for a year with no success) and was also told by the doctor that I HAD to have my progesterone test done on day 21 even though I don’t have 28 day periods. I ended up ovulating on day 19 and had the blood test done on day 21 - was convinced it would be low but it actually came back borderline (they said 25 is indicative of ovulation and mine was 25.3). Whole thing was a bit annoying because it should have been reassuring but because I know I didn’t have it at the ‘right’ time I felt like it wasn’t as useful as it could have been. Did they say why you can’t repeat the test? My doc said if my levels had been too low because of late ovulation that I could have the test repeated on day 23/25 for example, which seems sensible.

Original poster

lemonyfox · 21/11/2023 13:55

Goldendoodlelover · 21/11/2023 13:50

Hiya - I have been in a similar boat. I had some baseline bloods done (been ttc number 1 for a year with no success) and was also told by the doctor that I HAD to have my progesterone test done on day 21 even though I don’t have 28 day periods. I ended up ovulating on day 19 and had the blood test done on day 21 - was convinced it would be low but it actually came back borderline (they said 25 is indicative of ovulation and mine was 25.3). Whole thing was a bit annoying because it should have been reassuring but because I know I didn’t have it at the ‘right’ time I felt like it wasn’t as useful as it could have been. Did they say why you can’t repeat the test? My doc said if my levels had been too low because of late ovulation that I could have the test repeated on day 23/25 for example, which seems sensible.

Thanks for replying. I did ask and they just said because that's what the process is.... I'm hoping the Consultant is a bit more reasonable when I see them in the next 1-2 weeks, I'm hopeful they will be if you said yours were willing to retest later in your cycle.

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Goldendoodlelover · 21/11/2023 14:45

@lemonyfox yes they do seem very keen to stick to the ‘process’! My only other guess is maybe if you’re ovulating late they will want to give you medication anyway to move your ovulation forward / make it more predictable?

LouP87 · 21/11/2023 16:09

I booked my 21 day bloods for 7 days after ovulation, and didn’t tell them I’d differed from advice. It’s clear the test is for ovulation and relates to what day you actually ovulate rather than their “one size fits all” route…

Original poster

lemonyfox · 21/11/2023 18:06

@Goldendoodlelover yeah maybe, if clomid would help in bringing it forward then I'm all for that!

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Original poster

lemonyfox · 21/11/2023 18:07

LouP87 · 21/11/2023 16:09

I booked my 21 day bloods for 7 days after ovulation, and didn’t tell them I’d differed from advice. It’s clear the test is for ovulation and relates to what day you actually ovulate rather than their “one size fits all” route…

Not sure I'd get away with that this cycle, given I've done my day 2 bloods so they'll know if it doesn't line up. I would have thought they'd let me have the test 7 days afterwards before I'd asked, but so far the answer seems no

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LongerthanMrTicklesarms · 21/11/2023 22:09

I’ve just replied on a different thread, I ended up having to get my hormone tests done privately as my GP surgery outsourced phlebotomist to a local hospital, there was a minimum 6 week wait for anything non-urgent and they would not give me appointments for the necessary cycle days. I complained so many times I eventually got one ‘day 21’ test which came back as low which led to getting a referral to the fertility clinic. Except my referral went to a regular gynaecology clinic so after turning up at a waste of time appointment I had to be referred again. Honestly it was a sign of things to come but did lead to clomid and a funded IVF cycle. (Unsuccessful but later had success with private IVF).

Original poster

lemonyfox · 22/11/2023 08:46

LongerthanMrTicklesarms · 21/11/2023 22:09

I’ve just replied on a different thread, I ended up having to get my hormone tests done privately as my GP surgery outsourced phlebotomist to a local hospital, there was a minimum 6 week wait for anything non-urgent and they would not give me appointments for the necessary cycle days. I complained so many times I eventually got one ‘day 21’ test which came back as low which led to getting a referral to the fertility clinic. Except my referral went to a regular gynaecology clinic so after turning up at a waste of time appointment I had to be referred again. Honestly it was a sign of things to come but did lead to clomid and a funded IVF cycle. (Unsuccessful but later had success with private IVF).

That sounds very frustrating, sorry about your experience. I'm happy that it all worked out for you in the end though 😊

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LongerthanMrTicklesarms · 22/11/2023 10:24

Thanks @lemonyfox . I hope things work out for you and others here very soon!
Sending strength to get through whatever steps are on your path.

LondonGirl1992 · 22/11/2023 21:34

Hello!

I had this exact issue- I ovulated so late in my cycle (I think around day 28?) so when they referred me for the bloods, on day 21 there was no sign of ovulation. I then went for two more- one on day 25 and one on day 28 or so. They showed a slight rise in my levels but not enough to confirm ovulation which freaked me out so much. I convinced myself I wasn’t ovulating- but in truth, I don’t know if I was because I spent so much time worrying and obsessing.

I decided to have a month where I ditched the temping, put it to the back of my mind and did the ovulation pee sticks and just had a lot of sex around then. I’m now 14 and a half weeks pregnant with my first after months and months of trying, bloods, worrying and assuming I’m not even ovulating.

I just saw this thread and didn’t want to just dash without posting- don’t lose faith, keep pushing your doctors for more bloods (I did) and just know that it’ll happen for you, I’m sure of it!

Original poster

lemonyfox · 26/11/2023 17:30

@LondonGirl1992 sorry for late reply, thanks for sharing your experience though it's really useful.

I think it's all a bit pointless now anyway, we were due our fertility clinic appointment on Friday this week coming, but it looks like I'm having a 3rd ectopic now. So I'm guessing I might be better rescheduling it, they won't be able to do day 2/ bloods this cycle now either.

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