GP appointment help

[Magicstar2025]

Been TTC for nearly a year now since an ectopic and have a GP appointment booked. I have one tube, PCOS and my cycle length varies so I presume they may want to see if I am ovulating first? Are there any blood tests I should be asking for or will they refer me to a fertility specialist? Thank you x

So for us after 1 year of trying my husband and I had to book separate appointments. I had a blood test to check for ovulation and my husband a sperm sample, both came back normal. I then got referred to the gynaecologist who did a tv scan which was normal-ish but some cysts. She ultimately said it’s normal to try for 2 years keep trying. We had a miscarriage after 1 year of trying and in my area that meant we would not qualify for ivf until 2 years post miscarriage (3 years total of trying). So after 2 years she offered me surgery which I accepted, lap and dye. Found out my tubes were blocked so we then qualified for ivf straight away….

I think for you they’ll definitely want to do a blood test to see if you’re ovulating, then refer you to the gynaecologist regardless of the result! I think it’s fairly standard for the gp to request you partner gets a sperm sample done too

Thank you so much for your reply that's really helpful! It feels so daunting. Did you have a long wait before you saw the gynecologist and was there anything they could do to unblock your tubes before ivf?

No worries! So I was really lucky in my area the wait really wasn’t long, I can’t remember exactly but I think it was a month or so. And in my case there’s was nothing they could do to unblock my tubes. I think in some cases the dye they use in the lap and dye procedure is enough to flush out any mucus if that’s what is blocking the tubes. Same as the hycosy procedure. For me it was scar tissue blocking my tubes x

Ask for day 3 hormones (or whenever if your cycles aren't happening), a total blood count, HbA1c, vitamin D and semen analysis for your partner alongside the referral. Also B12 if you are on metformin for the PCOS/ insulin resistance.

Can I ask why B12 for Metformin? I currently take this for PCOS

@PeonyPatch metformin can deplete B12 and ubiquinol. Potentially worth supplementing - ask your GP for a B12 test.

Hi all, thanks for all your messages. GP said I need to lose 7lbs before she can refer me to the fertility clinic🫠 asked about wait times in my area it is a few months. Need to do bloods again and husband to give a sperm sample. In the meantime she has said she can prescribe metformin to support with ovulation & the weight loss plus high dose folic acid. I asked about them checking my remaining tube, she said I can get this done via NHS but ultimately need to make sure I am ovulating first. She mentioned clomid too. Anyone had experience of metformin?

I've just (privately) started metformin at a low dose after getting a blood test that showed high insuin despite low blood sugar. Make sure you have it after a meal - so far I've had no gastric side effects.

It will improve your insulin sensitivity and help hormonal balance - both things that could restore or improve ovulation, particularly if you also lose weight. Fat cells are hormonally active in a detrimental way, expecially abdominal ones.

Good luck!