Month Seven of Trying to Conceive: My Labs Came Back

Written By Jillian P

When I first seriously started to try for Baby #2, I found out that a new girlfriend I made in Pilates was on a TTC journey of her own. On an evening out, she mentioned she had been tracking her hormones through Inito - a fertility tracker. In our conversation, one of the things that came up - and stuck with me - was her low progesterone levels. Although I’d been in her position once before, it didn’t dawn on me that progesterone was something I needed to check.

When I looked back on my cycle history through NaturalCycles, I realized that my luteal phase was REALLY short. I’m talking, ovulation one week, period the next. It dawned on me that maybe my progesterone levels were low, too, and perhaps I should get those levels checked. Turns out, my levels were low. To combat that I started taking Vitamin B Raw Complex and lo and behold, my luteal phase gradually got longer and longer.

Okay, but now for the point of this blog, LOL…

Looking back on the past few months, I realized I would have loved to know what tests to run to check if my hormones were in balance before even going to the fertility clinic. Maybe then I could look into more holistic ways to right the wrongs (I am a big advocate for Eastern medicine, though I don’t know a whole lot).

In case you’re like me and want to try and get pregnant naturally/on-your-own without the help of the fertility clinics, I thought knowing what to test for might help.

Just a reminder that I am not a medical professional, and the opinions expressed here are my own (backed by some research of my own). And that if you choose to have these labs done through a PCP or gyno prior to going to an actual fertility clinic, you will likely have to get these labs done all over again.

The Labs + My Results

In the accordion below, I included every test they ran as well as my results and what the ChatGPT interpretation of my result was (they will go over this in our follow-up appointment in a month or so), so for now, this will have to do…

  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is a hormone that helps control your menstrual cycle and egg development.

    At the start of your cycle, FSH signals your ovaries to begin growing follicles (small sacs that contain eggs).

    As the follicles grow, they produce estrogen, which helps prepare your body for ovulation.

    If FSH levels are too high, it may indicate a lower ovarian reserve, meaning you have fewer eggs left. If FSH levels are too low, it could suggest you are having issues with ovulation.

    Doctors often test FSH alongside other hormones like AMH and estradiol to assess ovarian function.

    REFERENCE RANGE
    Follicular Phase: 3.5 - 12.5
    Luteal Phase: 1.7 - 7.7
    Ovulation Phase: 4.7 - 21.5

    MY RESULT:
    7.3 during the Follicular Phase

    CHATGPT’S INTERPRETATION:
    This is within the normal range for the follicular phase, which suggests that your ovarian reserve may be within the expected range.

  • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta after implantation. It’s the hormone that pregnancy tests detect to confirm pregnancy.

    REFERENCE RANGE:
    <5 Negative
    5-25 Indeterminate
    >25 Positive

    MY RESULT:
    1 (Sadly)

  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is a hormone that helps follicles grow in the ovaries. A sudden surge of LH causes the dominant follicle to release an egg (ovulation).

    Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs) detect the LH surge to predict when you’re most fertile. Low LH can indicate issues with ovulation, whereas high LH is linked to conditions like PCOS.

    REFERENCE RANGE
    Follicular Phase: 1.0 - 18.0
    Mid-Cycle: 24.0 - 105.0
    Luteal Phase: 0.4 - 20.0

    MY RESULT:
    4.5 during the Follicular Phase

    CHATGPT’S INTERPRETATION:
    Your LH is in the normal range for the follicular phase.

  • After ovulation occurs the corpus luteum (leftover follicle that released the egg) produces progesterone to prepare the uterus for pregnancy.

    If an egg is fertilized, progesterone helps thicken the uterine lining so the embryo can attach. If pregnancy occurs, the placenta takes over progesterone production to prevent miscarriage.

    If no pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels drop, signaling the body to shed the uterine lining (cycle starts).

    Low progesterone can make it harder for an embryo to implant.

    REFERENCE RANGE
    Follicular Phase: 0.06 - 0.89
    Ovulation Phase: 0.12 - 12.00
    Luteal Phase: 1.83 - 23.90

    REFERENCE RANGE (PREGNANCY)
    1st Trimester: 11.00 - 44.30
    2nd Trimester: 25.40 - 83.30
    3rd Trimester: 58.70 - 214

    MY RESULT:
    <0.05 during the Follicular Phase.

    CHATGPT’S INTERPRETATION:
    The level is very low, which is expected in the early follicular phase before ovulation/

  • Prolactin is a hormone that primarily helps with breast milk production (lactation). However, it also plays a role in menstrual cycle regulation and fertility.

    Higher prolactin levels can suppress FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), leading to irregular ovulation or anovulation. It may cause irregular or absent periods, and can be linked to low progesterone, making it harder for implantation to occur.

    REFERENCE RANGE
    <50 Years: 3.3 - 26.7

    MY RESULT:
    31

    CHATGPT’S INTERPRETATION:
    Your prolactin is elevated, which can suppress ovulation and impact fertility. Since you’re breastfeeding, this may be contributing to higher levels.

  • Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced by small follicles in the ovaries. It is a key marker of ovarian reserve, meaning it helps estimate how many eggs you have left.

    AMH is important in fertility because it predicts ovarian reserve. Higher AMH suggests a larger supply, while lower AMH may indicate a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

    REFERENCE RANGE:
    0.36 - 10.07

    • High AMH: >3.5

    • Normal: 1.0 - 3.5

    • Low AMH: <1.0

    MY RESULT:
    1.60

    CHATGPT’S INTERPRETATION:
    Your AMH is within the expected range but on the lower end, suggesting a moderate ovarian reserve. This indicates you still have eggs available, but you may have fewer than someone with a higher AMH.

  • Estradiol is the primary form of estrogen and is produced mainly be the ovaries, playing a crucial role in menstrual cycle regulation, ovulation, and fertility.

    It supports follicle development, thickens the uterine lining, regulates FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), indicates ovarian reserve, and plays a big role in IVF and fertility treatments.

    Low estradiol may indicate poor ovarian function, perimenopause, or issues with egg development.

    High estradiol can sometimes suppress FSH, affecting ovulation and fertility. It may also indicate PCOS, ovarian cysts, or excessive response to fertility medications.

    Estradiol is essential for conception and a healthy pregnancy.

    REFERENCE RANGE:
    Follicular Phase: 27-122
    Mid-Cycle Peak: 95-433
    Luteal Phase: 49-291

    MY RESULT:
    12 during follicular phase

    CHATGPT’S INTERPRETATION:
    Your estradiol is low for the follicular phase. This could be due to the timing of the test, recent birth control use, or other hormonal factors.

  • Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) controls how much thyroid is produced. In fertility, TSH is important because it helps regulate ovulation and menstrual cycles. High or low TSH can cause irregular cycles, anovulation (no ovulation), or increase the risk of miscarriage. According to ChatGPT, many fertility clinics aim for a level below 2.5 when trying to conceive.

    REFERENCE RANGE (PREGNANCY)
    1st Trimester: 0.05 - 3.70
    2nd Trimester: 0.31 - 4.35
    3rd Trimester: 0.41 - 5.18

    MY RESULT:
    1.99

    CHATGPT’S INTERPRETATION:
    This is a normal TSH level, which is good for fertility. Optimal levels for conception are typically between 1.0 - 2.5.

  • Testosterone is a hormone primarily associated with male reproductive health, but it also plays an important role in female fertility and overall health.

    High testosterone levels may indicate PCOS which can cause irregular cycles, ovulation issues, and infertility.

    Low testosterone levels might be linked to low ovarian function, fatigue, or decreased libido.

    REFERENCE RANGE":
    <=55

    My result: 31

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (on my lab as Hep B Surface Ag) is a protein found on the surface of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is used to detect an active Hep B infection.

    This is part of an infectious disease screening to protect the baby, ensure a safe fertility process, check liver health, and for partner screening.

    My Result: Nonreactive

  • Hepatitis C Antibody is a checks for antibodies of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). This is tested in fertility evaluations to prevent transmission to baby, for safe fertility treatments, and to check liver health.

    My result: nonreactive

  • Rubella IgG checks for rubella virus (also known as German measles). This is also tested in fertility to protect the baby as it can cause serious defects, ensure immunity before conception, and is a part of routine prenatal screening to help prevent complications. If you are immune positive, no action is needed. If you are not immune, vaccination may be required before moving forward with fertility treatments or pregnancy.

    My result: positive

  • RPR Reflext to Titer is a blood test used to screen for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STA).

    This is tested in fertility evaluations to prevent complications during pregnancy like miscarriage and stillbirth, and to ensure a safe fertility process.

    My result: nonreactive

  • The HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo test is a screening for HIV to prevent potential transmission to the baby or lab staff.

    My result: nonreactive

  • Chlamydia/GC NAT Amp (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) is used to detect Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. These STIs, if left untreated, can lead to infertility as they may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, blocked fallopian tubes, or scarring. Many people have no symptoms, so screening is crucial.

    My results:
    Chlam. Trachomatis: Negative
    N. gonorrhoeae: Negative

Jillian P
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