First Official Step - Bloodwork

Today I took the first official step to either IUI or IVF - I had my blood taken. This had to be done on day 2, 3, or 4 of my cycle. Day 3 is the goal, but since today is not a work day, I opted to go in today (day 2).  The clinic I'm going to is open weekend mornings for just this sort of thing.

Giving the labs themselves was very simple - just like giving blood for testing at a normal doctor's appointment. I was in and out of the office within five minutes.  By the way - the flat rubber-ish tourniquet they wrap around your arm before they take the blood makes a wonderful jar opener at home.  If you can get your lab technician to give it to you, do it and keep it in your kitchen drawer.  Very handy!

The labs they are testing are:

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - This is a hormone that is released from the pituitary gland near your brain.  It signals your ovary to begin maturing the follicles and eggs.  They test this hormone to make sure your ovaries are healthy.

Estradiol (E2) - One of three types of estrogen that a woman produces.  Estradiol indicates whether follicles are developing. It should be lower in the beginning of the cycle and gradually increasing. It's a good hormone to measure to see if a woman is entering menopause, because it will be very low in menopausal women.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - Having an underactive or overactive thyroid can result in fertility problems.  If the thyroid is underactive, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands increase levels of TSH and a hormone called thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH).  TRH both prompts the pituitary glad to release TSH and to release prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that can interfere with ovulation by suppressing leutanizing hormone and FSH.  This is a common problem with fertility. There can also be a problem with excessive thyroid hormone.  It can block estrogen's effects, which causes problem with the uterine lining.

Prolactin - Mentioned above, prolactin is a hormone released from the pituitary gland. It's also tested at this time, and a substantial elevation indicates there may be a pituitary tumor.

So, that's what they tested today.  I should get results in the next day or two and will keep you posted!