Blood Test for Fertility for Female

Tests (Blood test) for fertility for a female individual must be considered when she has been trying to get pregnant but has been unsuccessful. If a woman has been having unprotected sex with her partner for up to a year or more without getting pregnant, she should consider fertility testing. If she is 35 years and above, she could consider the fertility tests after six months of unprotected sex. Both parties should go for testing because research has shown that infertility affects men and women equally. These fertility tests help women to identify the causes of infertility, in order for the condition to be properly addressed. This will enable the couple to have their best chances of conceiving. Some of the tests that the female should consider getting include:

• Medical history discussion to check for ovulation or menstrual cycle issues
• Blood tests to check hormone levels and ovarian reserve
• Pelvic examination
• Minimally invasive procedures like ultrasound imagining and surgery to check for any structural causes of infertility.

When the testing fails to identify a specific cause, the diagnosis is ‘unexplained infertility’ which affects about 15-30% of infertile couples.

Who should consider getting fertility testing?

As previously stated, women who are unable to get pregnant after a year of unprotected sexual intercourse with their partners (6 months for women 35 years and older) will need to go for proper fertility testing. Also, women with any or a combination of the following conditions should consider going for fertility tests:

• Past medical history of endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or pelvic pain
• Diagnosed reproductive system issue of the fallopian tubes, ovaries or uterus
• Menstruation that is irregular, heavy or absent
• Women who have had recurrent miscarriages
• A partner with suspected or identified male infertility

What are some of the blood tests for fertility that a female individual can take?

The following is a list of the most commonly ordered blood tests that a physician may recommend to determine the fertility levels of a female individual. Some of these tests are sometimes not available in the location of the woman and would need her to go for overseas medical treatment with the help of medical health travel agencies or meditour agencies. This is usually a form of health tourism or medical tourism. The following list is not exhaustive; some other tests exist.

 

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) 

This is a vital test, usually done at the start of infertility testing before any other treatment. The FSH level indirectly measures the ovarian reserve and the remaining oocytes in the ovary. The test can usually warn of potential diminished egg quality. A high FSH level indicates a diminished quantity and quality of oocytes. The test is made by drawing blood on the second and third day of the patient’s menstrual cycle. 

The test results usually fall into three ranges; normal (12microlU/L), borderline and abnormal. A borderline result suggests poor ovarian reserve and the need for prompt and aggressive treatment. An abnormal FSH result suggests a very poor ovarian reserve and a markedly low chance of a healthy pregnancy with the patient’s eggs. The ranges of FSH may differ in different institutions. It is also important to note that the results must be interpreted with the woman’s age in mind. Even with the same FSH levels, a 23-year-old, 33-year-old and 43-year-old woman will have different chances of pregnancy success.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) 

This hormone is released by the pituitary gland when an ovarian follicle is mature and ready to ovulate. The hormone induces the final maturation of the egg and causes the ripe ovarian follicle to burst and release the egg within. The testing for this hormone is more commonly done in the early part of the menstruation cycle and may be recommended to determine if the woman is currently ovulating. Some women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have elevated levels of LH all the time, and this can interfere with ovulation.

Prolactin 

This is the hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the production of breast milk. Elevated levels of the hormone may interfere with the fertility of the female individual.

Clomid challenge test (CCCT) 

This is a test that is commonly recommended in order to learn more about a woman’s fertility. On day 3 of the cycle, an Estradiol and FSH level will be drawn. The patient will then take 50mg of clomid (Clomiphene citrate) on cycle day 5-9 in the evening. On cycle day 10, another FSH level will be obtained. A dramatically higher FSH level on day 10 is an abnormal result indicating a compromise in egg number.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 

TSH levels are tested to check for thyroid diseases which are common in women. A suppressed level of TSH (5.0 microlU/ml) is consistent with hypothyroidism. This may cause infertility by causing hormonal imbalances, which can lead to anovulation or other problems in a woman’s menstrual cycle. Importantly, studies have highlighted that TSH levels between 1.0 and 2.5 microlU/ml are best for fetal brain development.

Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) 

This hormone is secreted by cells located in the ovary that support the development of eggs. It gradually decreases as the ovarian function decreases over time and drops to undetectable levels after menopause. In order to help assess the fertility and potential response to gonadotropins, the doctor may order this test, which can be drawn on any day of the menstrual cycle, and is not affected by any birth control pills.

Estradiol (E2) 

This is a type of estrogen produced by the ovarian follicles and increases as the follicles develop in the first phase of the menstrual cycle. An elevated E2 level on the third day of the third day of the menstrual cycle could indicate compromised ovarian reserve despite a normal FSH level. The hormone is measured during treatment cycles to assess the ovarian response to medication. The fertility medication dosing is usually adjusted by the doctor who will examine the E2 levels in conjunction with ultrasound measurements of the follicles and uterine lining.

Blood type and Rh 

The blood type is crucial to know during pregnancy, so it is routinely done before treatment. If a pregnant woman has Rh negative blood type, she might require RhoGAM injections to keep the unborn child from becoming sensitized and developing hemolytic disease.