Fertility blood tests are a key part of comprehensive infertility testing
Whether you’re trying to conceive without success or already know that you need fertility treatment to have a baby, a first important step is establishing a baseline measure of your reproductive hormones. Infertility testing for both partners typically involves blood tests for both men and women. When you come to see our San Antonio infertility specialists for help trying to conceive, you’ll likely leave your very first appointment with orders for fertility blood tests as part of your overall fertility workup.
Fertility blood tests for women
Because hormones play an important role in female fertility, infertility testing for women always involves an in-depth analysis of hormone levels in the blood. Some fertility blood tests can be performed anytime in your cycle, while others must be done during specific phases, such as before or after ovulation.
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): This hormone stimulates egg production in the ovaries. For this blood test, timing is important, as this hormone must be measured at exactly the right time in your menstrual cycle, typically performed within the first few days of your cycle.
- Estradiol (E2): Also tested within the first few days of your cycle, this hormone shows how your ovary is responding to stimulation.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH): This hormone plays a critical role in ovulation. Early in your cycle, testing the level of LH in your blood can reveal hormone imbalances and conditions that can interfere with ovulation. Testing LH around the halfway point in your cycle can pinpoint the day of ovulation, as LH levels will drop once an egg has been released.
- Prolactin: Produced by the pituitary gland, prolactin can reveal certain causes of infertility, irregular periods and lack of ovulation.
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): This hormone reflects the health of the thyroid gland, which plays a role in regulating a woman’s menstrual cycles.
- Androgens: High levels of testosterone, an androgen, can indicate that a woman has polycystic ovary syndrome or ovulation problems, both of which can cause infertility.
- Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH): This fertility blood test measures the hormone that is released by follicles in your ovaries, so it reflects the number of follicles and eggs in your ovary. A low AMH level can indicate diminished ovarian reserve, and can give guidance on how successful ovarian stimulation will be.
- Serum progesterone. This hormone prepares your uterus for pregnancy. Because progesterone is produced after ovulation, a normal value can be low or high depending on what part of the cycle it is measured. If progesterone is checked, this is usually several days after an ovulation has occurred, or during pregnancy.
- Complete blood count (CBC): This standard blood test can reveal whether any infections or blood disorders are present that could interfere with your ability to become pregnant.
Additional infertility testing for the male partner
In addition to a semen analysis, men also need fertility blood tests as part of a comprehensive fertility workup.
- FSH in men is an indicator of brain stimulation to the testicles for sperm production.
- LH is linked to testosterone production in men.
- Testosterone is produced by the testicle. Low levels can be associated with low sperm production. Interestingly, very high levels associated with TRT or replacement therapy can also inhibit sperm production.
- A CBC is also beneficial to ensure there are no infection or blood disorders present.
By analyzing a man’s hormone levels through bloodwork, our San Antonio infertility specialists can often identify certain causes of male factor infertility that can be treated by a reproductive urologist, leading to effective treatment.
Get on the path to pregnancy
If you are ready to grow your family or just want to get a clearer picture of your baseline fertility, fertility blood tests are a good place to start. Contact us to schedule an appointment with our San Antonio infertility specialists.