FertilityTies posts tagged with bloodwork

In-house vs outside labwork and IUI success rate

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:19:56 -0600

My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 14 months. We saw one RE, who diagnosed mild male factor infertility, and recommended IUI with Clomid, but required that all bloodwork for the IUI be done at their clinic. Unfortunately, our insurance would not cover this, and it would have more than quintupled our out of pocket costs. So we had to seek out an RE that would allow bloodwork to be done at out outside lab, that our insurance did cover. Our original RE's claim was that an outside lab like Quest: a) couldn't get the bloodwork back in time, and b) didn't have accurate enough equipment. They said that when they were allowing labwork to be sent out, the IUI's weren't successful.

What do you think? How, if at all, does where labwork is done, effect the outcome of IUI?

Thank you

cntrygirlinLV

blood work for pregnancy

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:24:42 -0600

hey doc and ladies..

Hvnt got AF for 2 weeks now. checked twice at home and its neg..

doc suggested bloodwork but reports will be out bt monday... and my doc will be away till wed.. can i please know what is required amount of hcg in blood for preg..

so i can read my reports atleast..plz help... thanks.

Azra Bora

Dr's: Question about kidney stones!

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:07:47 -0600

I have a 6mm stone on my left side that is almost at my bladder, a smaller one on the right that is still traveling down & "a bunch" (Dr's words, not mine)of bi-lateral ones that are in the kidney on both sides.

1st, how big is 6mm? What is your opinion on my being able to pass that one with out surgery? I am drinking lots of water today to try & "flush" it into the bladder.

2nd, what does bi-lateral mean? She did not seem very concerned right now with these but I forgot to ask what this means.

3rd & last (sorry), after I get rid of the 6mm they want me to do some bloodwork & a 24 hour urine catch for analysis to see if they can find out why I have so many. What will they be looking for?

Also, just alittle back ground, I have had the lipotripthy (sp*) to get rid of one that was much bigger than these a few years ago. I do not drink much of anything except water & the occasional glass of sweet tea. Also leamonade from time to time. Have not drank soda for MANY years due to recurrent infections. My dr is a uroligist, a good one in my opinion, these are just some things that I forgot to ask-as you can imagine I am in a bit of pain :) Thanks!

Wendy Lou

A question for one of the Dr.s or if any of the women might know!!

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:41:19 -0500

Hi everyone...I just started my 3rd round of Clomid. I have been reading about bloodwork that alot of women have done before they start the Clomid. My OB/GYN put me on Clomid without doing any bloodwork at all. I am 38, TTC #3 after being dignosed in May08 w/hypothyroid and having 2 miscarriages this year. He feels maybe I am not ovulating due to the hypothyroid,thus putting me on Clomid. I've read that TSH levels need to be within 1-2 to sustain a pregnancy. Mine are at 1.5 now. ANYWAY, my ?? is...should I have had or should I have now any bloodwork to see if another problem can be determined? I always have nausea a week before my period and OB says that means my progesterone levels are good. I just don't know. Any help would be greatly appreciate!

tracyg

Symptoms & Happenings...what do you think?

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:36:25 -0500

Ok ladies, I go for my 2ww bloodtest tomorrow to see if I get my BFP finally!!! I haven't done a HPT, because I just don't want to tease myself with the answer, I want a SOLID answer! ha!

I did Follistim 50 units, Ovidrel trigger shot and then my IUI on the 10th. Since then I have been taking Prog supps too. Here are my symptoms and happenings so far:

10th – IUI (yeah!)

15th – Slight spotting (red…could be implantation spotting)

17th – Slight spotting (red…could be implantation spotting) & really tired, like smack in the middle of the day (symptoms of meds, pregs and AF???)

18th – Breast tenderness (symptom of both the medicine, pregnancy and AF…come on!)

Thru Today – some more and more breast tenderness, ouchee (a little worse than pre AF* tenderness)

22nd – Middle of the afternoon – MUY tired…then again at 10:00 pm…(like HAD to go to bed couldn’t keep my eyes open tired)

22nd – a smidge crampy and slight spotting before bed, kinda brownish (usually comes before AF)

23rd – Gassy (I dunno, could be related)

I have also been majorly hungry, but I hear that is a side effect from the trigger shot.

What do you think?

Slickslady

Hormone Levels & Fertility Bloodwork

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:55:36 -0500

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Day 3

Normal

Values-3-20 mIU/ml

FSH is often used as a gauge of ovarian reserve.

In general, under 6 is excellent, 6-9 is good, 9-10 fair, 10-13 diminished reserve, 13+ very hard to stimulate.

In PCOS testing, the LH:FSH ratio may be used in the diagnosis.

The ratio is usually close to 1:1, but if the LH is higher, it is one possible indication of PCOS.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Day 3 < 7 mIU/m

A normal LH level is similar to FSH. An LH that is higher than FSH is one indication of PCOS.

Prolactin Day 3 < 24 ng/ml

Increased prolactin levels can interfere with ovulation.

They may also indicate further testing (MRI) should be done to check for a pituitary tumor.

Some women with PCOS also have hyperprolactinemia.

Progesterone (P4) 7 dpo > 15 ng/ml

A progesterone test is done to confirm ovulation.

When a follicle releases its egg, it becomes what is called a corpus luteum and produces progesterone.

A level over 5 probably indicates some form of ovulation, but most doctors want to see a level over 10 on a natural cycle, and a level over 15 on a medicated cycle.

There is no mid-luteal level that predicts pregnancy. Some say the test may be more accurate if done first thing in the morning after fasting.

Thyroid

Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Day 3 .4-4 uIU/ml

Mid-range normal in most labs is about 1.7.

A high level of TSH combined with a low or normal T4 level generally indicates hypothyroidism, which can have an effect on fertility.

hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy

Days Post Ovulation/Retrieval

10 3w3d 25

12 3w5d 50

14 4w0d 100

16 4w2d 200

Progesterone in Pregnancy

Mid-Luteal Phase 5+ ng/ml

As mentioned above, a level of 5 indicates some kind of ovulatory activity,

though most doctors want to see a level over 10 on unmedicated cycles, and over 15 with medications.

There is no mid-luteal level that predicts pregnancy.

First Trimester 10-90 ng/ml

Average is about 20 at 4 weeks LMP, and 40 at 14 weeks LMP.

It is important to note that while a higher progesterone level corresponds with higher pregnancy success rates, one cannot fully predict outcome based on progesterone levels.

Progesterone supplementation is unlikely to help if started after a positive pregnancy test.

Second Trimester 25-90 ng/ml

Average is 40 at beginning, 90 at end

Third Trimester 49-423 ng/ml

Usually peaks at about 175.

tina1_wants-a-BFP!!!

Updating my journey...

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:48:14 -0500

+OPK on the 9thof May, Midwife appt 13th of May, Spotting 15th-17th of May, Accupunture 20th, 22nd, 27th & 29th of May, still no AF so I had an appt with my PCP today. She wrote me the script I need to get the Beta HCG done at the lab tomorrow. That should tell me if I'm pregnant or not. Probably not, as per multiple negative HPTs. She says she wouldn't recommend a SA for DH or HSG or any further testing for me until after we've been trying for one year. She didn't give me any other bloodwork in addition to that which I'd had done for a standard work physical in Jan/Feb.

DH has kindly requested that I stop obsessing over this on the internet and in general so this is me ceasing to obsess. I'm updating my journey, getting my beta tomorrow, and then I'm going with the flow until whenever...

Good luck ladies (and Dr Q) and thank you for all of your support and patience and for sharing your journeys with me. I'll be back at some point I'm sure <3<3<3

Dr Q- Preconception Screening?

Sat, 31 May 2008 09:04:19 -0500

I spoke to my Dr a bit when we first started trying in January but apart from the bloodwork she ordered for my physical and to check my thyroid I really never had any sort of pre-conception screening. Based on my medical history and my family medical history, we don't seem to be at risk for anything but I'd rather be safe. What tests do I need to go get done. Rosetta said a beta will tell me if I'm currently pregnant and if not I think I'd like an HSG. Since DH works at the hospital all I have to do is call up and schedule it but the problem is I don't know what to schedule! So, Dr Q, what do you advise?

And ladies, what tests did you have done that I haven't and should?

fsh levels

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:38:09 -0500

I stopped taking provera on Sunday. I was told to have my fasting bw on the 3rd day after i stopped. AF has not shown up yet. Will this make my bw useless?

Tammy Welch

bloodwork

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:10:34 -0600

Why is bloodwork done and what is it testing for after ovulation has taken place (on clomid)? Anyone have follow up bloodwork like this?

Lauryn

Going to the doctor....

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:32:10 -0500

Hi ladies,

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have an appointment to meet with a fertility doctor, again. The last time I saw her in August, she insisted on doing only a pre-conception consultation, since I hadn't been trying "that long," and because I wasn't yet 35 years old (I turn 35 in December).

This time, I'm INSISTING that they check my hormones and do some additional bloodwork because I need some answers. I'm tired of being told that "it's all about the timing," as if I'm some dummy. I've been monitoring my periods/ovulation for a long time and still haven't gotten pregnant. Next week, my husband is also going to have a semen analysis.

It's all so frustrating, and I just hope that I can find out what is going on and deal with it. I'd much rather find out and deal with it, rather than waste time trying if we need help.

I probably won't get my bloodwork back until Monday, but I'll certainly report back. Wish me luck.

Christine