How long do tests remain valid

[Skittles11]

Hello everyone

We've had a number of tests over the years to try and maximise chances of IVF working for us (unfortunately still no live birth, it makes me so frustrated and sad!!)

Anyway I wondered does anyone know how long test results actually remain relevant/ valid for? Every test is so pricy and I'd rather not repeat them in an ideal world but am also aware that maybe things change and I seem to be a complex case. The tests I am particularly interested in with this question are -

- EMMA, ALICE

- Uterine Biopsy for NK cells

- Hysteroscopy

- DNA Fragmentation

x x

[TTC0011]

Usually a year - that's what we were told. x

[MrsOrangejuice]

I haven't had the rest but had a hysteroscopy when I was about 18 and my consultant said he was happy not to repeat that (nearly 20 years later!) as he said it would have shown up any major abnormalities - I'm guessing he meant ones I had been born with - and that polyps etc could be seen on other scans. He said it was a 'gold standard' diagnostic test and meant I didn't need 3d/aquascans.

[Chel91]

EMMA / ALICE isn't really good for any length of time. You could potentially get an infection or issue at any time. Especially after a major event or procedure it would potentially be invalid. I would be especially concerned if you've had an abnormal one in the past.

Hysteroscopy could be a few years probably. But I have heard about doctors about wanting a repeat for various reasons. Polyps or fibroids I think can potentially develop and grow to a significant size in a few years, but I'm not sure on the average rate of growth. Or scar tissue etc. But I think most of these can generally be seen in other scans though. xx

[Yellowlove]

Hi lovely I am not sure about the others but I know when I had a uterine biopsy they said it would last a couple months max, ie they would want to do a transfer straight after. The question was whether I’d be on certain meds or not for an infection but the transfer would need to happen in the following month or the one after max.

The other one we had was DNA fragmentation. I think it’s about a year but when we switched clinics they didn’t get us to repeat it, they looked at the result and then suggested Karyotyping instead.

Wishing you strength and success in the journey ahead x.