Infertility Veterans

Worried about infertility- why can't I be tested!!

We have been TTC for 9 months without success. I am 34 and my DH s 38. I called my OB because I am worried and want some basic blood work checked (LH, FSH & day 21 progesterone). The nurse on the phone said "nope, no testing until you have been trying for at least 12 months".

DH and I are older, our time is precious and I want some basic testing done.

Is the nurse right? 

Re: Worried about infertility- why can't I be tested!!

  • The nurse is 100 percent right. Although more sympathetic GYNs may test you earlier, it's not mandatory especially if you have regular cycles, and they often don't know what kind of testing to perform or how to interpret the results properly. To be honest, you have no idea what you're asking for as per your list. These tests as you describe them are sorely inadequate and may give you misleading information. Skip your GYN and see an RE at 12 months. You won't have to tell them what to do, they'll order a bunch of tests you never dreamed of and do a better job of diagnosing and treating you.

    Next time, general IF questions should be posted on IF or the TTTC boards. Those starting out find more common ground with TTTC as IF is more focused on IUI and IVF, but either board is appropriate if you are seeing an RE.

    +++
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  • I didn't wait an entire 12 months either. I went straight to an RE, we had reason to believe we were going to have at least male factor. Here we are 1 1/2 years since our initial exams, 2 IUI's and 2 IVF's. I would say go to an RE if you want to get tested. Good luck. 
    ME- 35    DH- 40
    TTC #1 
    IVF#1 w ICSI- 4/20/11 ER, 6 Eggs, 4 Fertilized, 4/25/11 5 day ET, 2 blasts- 5/4- Beta= BFN- No Frosties 

    IVF #2 w ICSI-6/21/11 ER, 4 Eggs, 2 Fertilized, 6/24/11 3 day ET 2 embryos- Beta 7/5/11- BFN- No frosties.
    NEW RE
    IUI #1- started 50ius of follistim 1/25, IUI 2/3/12 - BFN
    AMH-0.73- DOR 2/2012

    IUI #2- 3/17/12 started 200ius of Follistim , 3/24/12 added ganirelix, 225ius Follistim and 75ius of repronex, IUI- 3/30/12, Beta April 13, 2012-BFN

    Appointment with Dr. Schoolcraft at CCRM July 18, 2012
    WAITING ON A MIRACLE AT THIS POINT
    AMH tested again 1/2013- 1.4!!!!
    IUI #3- 1/14/13 started 200ius of Follistim, 1/20/13 added menopur and ganirelix, IUI 1/25/13. Positive HPT 2/6/13- Beta #1- 193- BFP!!! 2/8/13-Beta#2-426.6
    2/26 ultrasound #1- TWINS!
    Delivered a healthy beautiful baby boy on 10/17/13 10ls. 2 ounces

    TTC #2 
    AMH .75 VERY POOR RESPONDER
    IUI #4 cancelled due to only one egg responding 
    IUI#5 cancelled on CD 10,  (3) follicules were still very small even on 300 IU's of Follistim. Also found fluid in my uterus from C-section scar
    BFP- 8/9/15 
    Beta #1 8/10/15 13DPO-   9.2 (fingers crossed this sticks)
    Beta #2 8/12/15 15DPO   39- progesterone 18 
    Beta #3 8/14/15    111- progesterone 17.5
    Ultrasound August 31- 


    PAIF or SAIF Welcome


    image



  • Since you already have a toddler, I really think your post would be better received on the secondary IF board. Good luck to you.
    IVF #3 = Feb 2012
    beta#1 3/21 (14dp3dt)=413, beta#2 3/23 (16dp3dt)=785, u/s 4/11
    EDD 11/25/12
    **SAIFW** Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • imageFaith722:
    Since you already have a toddler, I really think your post would be better received on the secondary IF board. Good luck to you.

    I missed that and agree.

    +++
  • I have seen that general rule of thumb being to wait 6 months if you're 35+ or 1 year if you're <35.
    imageimage
    Me: 35 DH: 30 TTC since 1/2010 DX: 6/15/2011: MFI IVF with ICSI

    IVF #1: Sept 2011: Beta 10/10- BFP!! 1st u/s 10/31/11 1 blighted ovum, 1 embryo 2nd u/s 11/14/11 stopped growing, no h/b D/C 11/17/11

    IVF #2: FET 5/4/12 : Beta 5/16/12 BFN

    IVF #3: ET 7/6/12 : 7/18 Beta #1 BFP at 246, 7/20 Beta #2 at 713, 7/27 Beta #3 at 9068. 1st u/s 8/7 with one lovely hb.
    Mabel is here! 2/17/13!
    Lilypie Premature Baby tickers
  • My RE's policy is 6 months for over 30, 12 months for those under 30.   I wouldn't have your OB do testing anyway.  Find an RE and inquire their policy.  Good luck!
    S/PAIFW
    Tara & Dave - TTC since September 2006
    PCOS - dx 1999 (amenorrhea) | freakishly long fallopian tubes
    Hypoglycemic | thyroid issues | severely anemic
    Multiple Clomid cycles of 50, 100, 150 - absolutely no response
    Follistim 50/100 | Follistim 75/125 | Follistim 100/150 IUI - all BFNs
    Converted IVF - BFP - m/c | FET - BFN | IVF #2 = BFN
    IVF #3
  • Your kid is only 14 mos old. You've only been TTC again for 9 mos. You are of normal age for conception. NONE of this implies that you are dealing with anything more than a giant case of impatience.

    Oh, but if you would have read the posts on 3T when you posted this same question on the 20th of June, you would have had your answer already. Stop stomping your feet and go have a lot of sex for a few more months. 

    Six years of infertility and loss, four IUIs, one IVF and one very awesome little boy born via med-free birth 10.24.13.
    image
  • imagehugmonkey:
    I have seen that general rule of thumb being to wait 6 months if you're 35+ or 1 year if you're <35.

    This is exactly what I was told. 

    imageimageimage

    TTC since March 2009 // Me and DH - 28
    Testing Summer/Fall 2010 - Unexplained IF
    IUIs #1-4 ~ Clomid/Ovidrel/TI/IUI ~ all BFNs
    IUI #5 ~ Femara/Ovidrel/TI/IUI ~ BFN
    IUIs #6-9 ~ Research Study Meds/Pregnyl/TI/IUI ~ all BFNs
    IVF Consultation, More Testing
    Diagnostic Cycle ~ Mucinex/Progesterone/TI ~ BFN
    IVF #1 ~ Menopur/Bravelle/Ganirelix/Novarel/Progesterone/Lupron
    7R, 6F // 2 transferred // 3 frosties ~ BFN
    FET #1 ~ Estrace/PIO/Lupron
    3 thawed // 2 transferred // 1 lost // no more frosties ~ BFP!!
    Beta #1 - 456 // Beta #2 - 1176 // Beta #3 - 2933 // Beta #4 - 6753
    EDD: May 16, 2013
    Threatened MC at 6w2d
    Bedrest for SCH // 6w2d through 10w1d
    Elevated TSH and Lazy Thyroid DX @ 10w - Started Synthroid
    Finally released from RE at 13w
    Charles Everett ~ Born 5/20/2013

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    ~~ My IF Blog ~~ 

  • imageMBfromBMC:

    imagehugmonkey:
    I have seen that general rule of thumb being to wait 6 months if you're 35+ or 1 year if you're <35.

    This is exactly what I was told. 

     

    Yup, this.  However, I was 37 and my insurance still wouldn't cover it until I had been trying for a year.  Also, you realize that the testing is just an indicator.  It may or may not show an issue. 

  • I couldn't get an appointment with my RE until I had been ttc for 12 months. About 9 months into our ttc jouney, my ob/gyn put me on clomid...unmonitored. I wouldn't recommend this because there are so many risks involved. It kind of makes me sad that an RE wouldn't see me until after 12 months. I feel like we wasted so much time. After just a few months ttc, I knew something was off. I was ovulating, but ovulating late into my cycle and my luteal phase was always really short. There was never anything near what a 2ww should be for me....it was always much shorter. This is why my ob/gyn prescribed clomid. Hang tight and good luck!
    Me- 26 DH-32
    TTC since August 2010
    Unexplained Infertility
    5 rounds of clomid and 4 rounds of tamoxifen = BFN
    IUI #1 - Jan 2012 with Tamoxifen - BFN IUI #2 - Feb 2012 Cancelled :(
    IVF #1- May 2012: BFP on 05/29/12!! 06/01 Beta #1= 122 06/04 Beta #2 74 :( - C/P
    06/07/12 = BFN Moving onto IVF #2 August 2012
    22 retrieved, 13 fertilized, none to freeze
    Transferred two embies on 08/19. Beta 1 is 08/31 Beta #1-122 Beta #2- 541
    1st U/S 09/12- 1 sac!
    Praying this is my take home baby!
    image
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    BabyFruit Ticker
    My Blog!
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