Starting the female fertility evaluation can feel overwhelming; today’s post addresses part of the initial evaluation known as hormone testing. Hormonal imbalances may cause problems with fertility. Hormone testing is generally performed on menstrual cycle day (CD) 3 and is done by a simple blood test. CD 1 refers to the first day of full flow menstrual bleeding and not spotting. The hormonal testing is referred to as “day 3 blood work”.
Generally, the following hormones are measured:
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the egg maturation process. High day 3 FSH levels are associated with diminished ovarian reserve.
• Estradiol (E2) – is produced by the ovary and levels should be low in the early part of the menstrual cycle. High day 3 levels may indicate a cyst in the ovary or diminished ovarian reserve.
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – is produced by the pituitary gland and levels are increased before ovulation. A LH/FSH ratio of greater than 2:1 or 3:1 may be diagnostic of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
The normal range for hormone levels will vary between laboratories. The practice website for Reproductive Medical Associates of Michigan describes IVF success factors such as FSH levels.
2 Comments
I just got my hormone report back and my fsh level is 12.2. Everything else is normal. I was wondering. If i got a donor egg what my chances for a successful pregnancy might be? Also, does the egg donor have any legal rights to the child?
Hi Lynne – I can understand your desire to find information that will help you along the road to having a baby. We encourage you to speak with your doctor who has your medical history and is best-suited to talk with you about your chances of success.
And what a smart question about the legal aspects of using an egg donor! Parents Via Egg Donation has lots of information that I bet you’ll find helpful.
Thanks for being part of our community. I hope you’ll continue to share your experiences!
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[...] kit to help her know when she is ovulating. She could also easily buy a fertility kit to check her follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on day 3 of her [...]