FERTILITY TESTING
HORMONE FERTILITY BLOOD TESTS
Twelve percent of women in their reproductive years are infertile. Yet it is estimated that twenty percent or more have no known explanation as to why they are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Even a fertile couple only has about a 25% chance of conceiving in any menstrual cycle. And when that couple is over 30, chances get even slimmer.
Reproductive health – or fertility – is a complex issue, and there are a great many factors that can cause a decline in fertility. One of the most effect ways to determine the underlying causes of infertility is comprehensive blood testing to look at very specific hormone and endocrine functions. Thorough blood testing can discover a wide range of underlying infertility causes, including: too much male hormone (testosterone); too little female hormones (estrogen and progesterone); decreased egg quantity and quality; thyroid problems, and much more.
Dr. Ruthie Harper in Austin, TX is a skilled, compassionate and experienced endocrine expert, who understands the intricacies of hormones and their effects on getting pregnant. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Harper for thorough and advanced hormone blood testing, and take the first step toward improving your chances of getting pregnant without expensive or artificial intervention treatments.
HORMONE BLOOD TESTS FOR FERTILITY
| Hormone | Best Time Taken | Purpose of the hormone |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | Day 3 or Day 10, if part of Clomid challenge Test | Triggers follicle development. If FSH too high, possible menopause or low fertility |
| Estradiol | Day 3 & mid-luteal phase | Triggers egg maturation & endometrial maturation for a fertilized egg. Also responsible for the quality of cervical fluid for fertilization |
| Inhibin B | Day 3 | Blocks FSH and can predict ovarian reserve |
| Luteinizing Hormone (LH) | Around ovulation | Stimulates ovulation when it rises |
| Progesterone | Mid-luteal phase (7 -10 days after the LH surge) | Sustains the uterine lining and early pregnancy |
| Pooled Progesterone | Thermal shift days 2,4,6,8, 10 or
Peak day plus 3,5,7,9,11 |
A more accurate test for progesterone |
| Prolactin | Any cycle day | Triggers breast milk release and blocks the production of estrogen |
| Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) | Any cycle day | Triggers the production of various thyroid hormones. Very high or low levels may affect fertility |
| Testosterone | Any cycle day | Stimulates estrogen production. Very high levels may affect fertility |
| Dehydroepi
androsterone sulfate (DHEAS) |
Any cycle day | Same effects as male hormones. Very high levels may affect fertility in both men and women |
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