FRERs out of stock UK - alternatives? - Fertility Network UK

Fertility Network UK

56,444 members59,767 posts

FRERs out of stock UK - alternatives?

Fruitandflowers profile image

Hi everyone - having always used FRERs to test and found them reliable, I can't find them in stock online and when I went to Boots their shelves were very sparse of everything but own brand and CBD. The double packs seem have gone completely and the singles now have a very long wait and also quite expensive. The ones on the usual online retailer have loads of reviews saying they're fake and give false positives. Not sure what the issue is but does anyone have any recommendations for reliable alternatives? I know when I get a bit further on that the normal day of missed periods ones should be fine, but I've used FRERs for so long I feel I know what I'm measuring against. Maybe this is just the fertility gods trying to stop me testing early but I've always had obvious BFPs from 5dpt (even when they end in losses) and I'd just like something reliable (I'll book HCG bloods if I get a BFP). My clinic said my progesterone was low on transfer day despite how much progesterone I'm on and am just feeling a bit deflated and could do without this. Thank you x

Written by
Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
16 Replies
Mlove12 profile image
Mlove12

I was never able to find first response in my local supermarkets or anything and always came across them in pharmacy’s in the end! Might be worth taking a look, good luck! X

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply toMlove12

Thank you. Yes, I've done this in the past when I've not been able to get them online in time - ended up in some very small out of the way places! I will set out in search 😀

Ffff1304 profile image
Ffff1304

I have been getting them on Amazon.

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply toFfff1304

I was too but now it's saying they won't have even the single ones for at least a week-10days.

minnesota_girl profile image
minnesota_girl in reply toFruitandflowers

Oh wow yeah I see that! How strange!!!

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply tominnesota_girl

That's why I ended up looking at the dodgy/potentially fake ones which funnily enough seem to have no stock problems.

minnesota_girl profile image
minnesota_girl in reply toFruitandflowers

Yeah I'd go for niche smaller pharmacies maybe they'll have them at the smaller local places??

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply tominnesota_girl

Am going to try!

gerifit profile image
gerifit

I’ve been chatting to people on Instagram about this, seems to be a national shortage it’s so weird! I used the Boots own Early Response ones (still pink lines so felt like a FR) and they seem to be as good. Xx

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply togerifit

Thank you so much! They seem to have been recalled in the US and guessing it's a knock-on from that.

evalooda profile image
evalooda

Try Ovum pregnancy tests - same sensitivity, and pink lines like FRER, I used them for my last FET and they were really good. Cheaper per test too.

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply toevalooda

Thank you so much!

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy

I used some I got from Amazon alongside the FRER and they worked fine. They are made by Wondfo, who also make the test I was given by my IVF clinic so I assume they are sufficiently ‘credible’ (the test looks almost identical just slightly different packaging). They come in 10iu and 25iu sensitivity. I don’t think the line was as dark as the FRER when I used them in my recent FET, probably mostly due to the differing sensitivity. I used them mostly when turning out to be not preg and never got a false +.

amazon.co.uk/Wondfo-Pregnan...

Xx

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply toPurpledoggy

Oh thank goodness - that's what I've ordered! I am such a creature of habit and I was so worried about getting my hopes up (or not) and it being unreliable. Thank you x

uk.iherb.com/pr/first-respo...

I found this website last night, they have 5 packs of 3 in stock. I haven't checked delivery times but delivery is free over £30. You can set a notification for when stock comes in and yesterday it was showing a due date of today, so it has arrived. Hope this helps.

Fruitandflowers profile image
Fruitandflowers in reply tottcsolomummytobe

Thank you - that's really kind if you for looking into it x

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Run out of progynova!!!!!

I'm hoping someone who has been through DE IVF can help. I've literally today got a positive...

So I did a silly thing...

Only 8dpt and my pregnancy tests got delivered today, they weren't supposed to come until...
Kitcat12 profile image

Is an ERA protocol (in terms of estrogen) fixed for your next transfer?

Hi all, I'm having a biopsy soon for combined ERA, uNK and microbiome testing, before doing any...
AuroraXen profile image

Lack of EWCM question... Not ovulating?

Only after my mmc can I describe that I most definitely had ewcm. Only one other occasion can I...
Jessy1280 profile image

Freaking out over stopping progesterone

Hi ladies, so tomorrow I am 10 weeks pg and it my final day for taking the progesterone...
Lilli79 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Claire_FNUK profile image
Claire_FNUKAdministrator
JA-fnuk profile image
JA-fnukPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.