Advice on blood test timing

[JF198]

Hello,

I had my first baby last summer with the help of ivf as I was diagnosed with low amh. We are hoping to have a second child and trying naturally before considering more treatment. My cycles are now really short on average 22 days and I don’t think I am ovulating every month. I have spoken to my doctor and he has suggested retesting my hormones levels. The problem is that I don’t really know when to go for the tests and my doctor was a bit blasé when I mentioned my short luteal phase. Every month I get a positive opk at day 14/15 so that means I only have a 7-8 day luteal phase. I am worried this could add to my problems getting pregnant as I assume my progesterone is low.

Please could anyone give me some advice on when to go for the blood test? At my local clinic I have to book an appointment in advance for blood tests at the moment which makes it more difficult.

Thank you x

[Chel91]

Hi, Day 3 (of your period) blood test for FSH, LH and Estradiol levels. Day 21 (6 to 8 days after ovulation) they can check progesterone levels to see if you have actually ovulated and what your levels are. I think those ones are the most day specific, but there might be other ones. Best of luck xx

[Purpledoggy]

I suggest you speak to your doctor about when to test. The 21d test guidance is for people with 'normal' 28d cycles and if your cycle is short it would be worth checking with them that they still want you to go in 7 days after you expect to have ovulated. Frustratingly, there isn't really any interest from doctors in fixing luteal phase defects (I also have low progesterone) so the general advice is to go for IVF as this should bypass the problem. There are some simple vitamins that can help some women with LPD (vitamin C 750 mg per day, vitamin B6 100 mg per day), supported by clinical studies measuring progesterone and looking at fertility rates, so these may be worth a shot as they are cheap and easy (and essentially harmless over the short to mid term). xx