tickledpink

Me and the OH have been TTC since Jan 2007. We only decided to go to the Docs in October when we decided to get a check up.

The OH was told he has a low sperm count, 12 million and low motility, 5%. He was put on Tamoxifen back in November but has now been prescribed something called Testogel as his testosterone levels were low. He's also started taking Zinc. He had a 2nd SA last month, and his count has gone up to 15 million and motility up to 10%. Not much but it's better!!!

But..... I have irregular cycles, anything from 30 to 45 days and I'm not on any medication for it. The only thing my doctor has done is three blood tests. One was to check hormone levels... when the results came back the lab suggested I do another test as my Prolactin levels were slightly above borderline. So I did a second one... two weeks later, I phone the docs for the results and the receptionist tells me it's fine and there's no need for the Doc to see me... Okay but where does that leave me now?? Because I couldn't get time off work, plus we were still sorting out the OH and other personal issues, I didn't go back to the Doc until February. The same doctor suggested doing another blood test, which would check for other things, including HIV. Assuming it came back clear, she would refer us to a Fertility clinic. I said fine, but was a little miffed at why they would be referring us straight to a FC when they hadn't done any other tests, to see if I was okay! I was told there was no point in her doing an internal as it wouldn't tell her anything. And that a 21 day progesterone (??) test would be hard to do because of my erratic cycles. She said it could be PCOS but again, she's done nothing to rule it out!!!! So... come April, still no appt with the FC. Turns out my referral got lost in the system but I got an appt in May. I sat there for an hour, only to be told 'have sex often, lose weight and come back next year when you qualify for IVF....' I now have a letter telling me of my appt for May 19th 2009... WTF!!!!!!!

After reading other posts in here, I know there must be something else the Doctor can do while I'm waiting for this appt but I've no idea what.

Should I be asking for more tests and if yes, what tests? I was at least hoping for something to help with the irregular periods, as even the consultant said it makes things difficult.. well duh! And she wasn't even sure if I was ovulating. I'm just wondering what I should be asking my doc as they seem unwilling to do anything. Perhaps I should tell them what they need to do rather than wait for them to get off their backsides.... I'm trying to get an appt with a diff Doc on Monday and one who specialises in Fertility. But it's proving difficult. Maybe everyone has the same idea as me? lol. I just want to go armed with questions this time, rather than sitting there and just going along with everything.

Would appreciate any input

snowbrdbella8

ooo i dont know hun but hii hehe, guess this was the thread u were making

tickledpink

yes! took me long enough lol. felt like i was writing my auto biography :P

honey08

lots will have had all the blood tests done in ere,sit tight sure some1 will give u some proper advise,as i dont know nowt about wot blood they take etc....good luvk tho x

shoeshopper

hello and welcome, i dont really know what to add, i ahve had blood tests and pelvic scan and was then referred to the infertility clinic, i dont even know the results!

snowbrdbella8

i know, but i was taking forever also... wish i could answer ur question, but i cant message me later when your on,!! xox

louisaL

hi tickledpink!

my cycles can vary from 30-45days too and i have had the 3 blood tests done about 2 yrs ago which all came back positive

DH hasnt been tested for anything yet but as we have only be ttc properly since april i have decided to give it till xmas and if still nothing then will get him checked out.if everything is fine then we will move onto a fertility clinic as my doctor said that would be the next thing for me

cheeselover

I know how you feel.
A while back I had a whole range of blood tests too that I paid ALOT of money for because it's not covered by my private medical insurance which I have to have because of where we live. The only feedback I got was a 30 second phone call from the receptionist saying 'it looks fine'. I don't even know what was tested or what the results were...alll I know is it cost a bloody fortune!
I agree with Honey08 however, sit tight someone will know. If you haven't already, maybe have a look in the long term/assisted forum as well.
Good luck XXX

Loo

It's likely they will have taken a tests for FSH, LH and prolactin. These are all hormones that have something to do with your cycle. Progesterone tells you whether you have ovulated during that particular cycle, but has to be taken a week before your period (so for you, that's rather difficult to work out...hence why they haven't done it).

Prolactin can stop you having periods altogether - and goes up for all sorts of reasons such as stress and other things, so they probably had to repeat it because it was slightly raised - but then it went back to normal (which is fine). The FSH and LH can tell you things like have you gone (or possibly going) through the menopause and whether you are likely to have PCOS. But that's all it tells you really.

Unfortunately, the only thing that can regulate a cycle is to take hormones (such as the Pill) but they aren't always ideal if TTC (e.g. Pill - not gonna be that helpful!)

I know it must be frustrating for you having to wait. All the best, x

ktsl123

Since your appt is in May with a specialist I would see a different Dr. who can help you in the meantime. I would def get tested for pcos. I told my Dr. to test me for anything that could be wrong with me before I started TTC this month just to make sure. I am glad I did it before TTC because now I feel much better about TTC. I just wish my husband would get a sperm cound done. He said if we don't conceive in 6 months he will.