Understanding the right timing for a range of blood tests can provide crucial insights into your reproductive health when looking for answers behind miscarriage and infertility. Here’s a guide to help you know when to schedule your blood tests based on your menstrual cycle. 

1. FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

Typical Test Timing: Days 2-4 of cycle
FSH is essential for stimulating the growth of ovarian follicles and plays a critical role in regulating your menstrual cycle. Testing during the early days allows you to assess your ovarian reserve, which can help identify potential issues with egg quality or quantity that may contribute to difficulties in conceiving.

2. LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Typical Test Timing: Days 2-4 of cycle
LH is a key player in triggering ovulation, and its levels can indicate how your ovaries are functioning. By measuring LH early in your cycle, you can gain insight into your body’s hormonal balance, which is crucial for successful ovulation and can help pinpoint any ovulatory disorders that may hinder conception.

3. AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone)

Typical Test Timing: Any time during the cycle
AMH serves as an indicator of ovarian reserve, reflecting the quantity of eggs available. Its stability throughout the cycle means you can test at your convenience. A low AMH level can signal diminished ovarian reserve, which might be a factor in infertility or recurrent miscarriage.

4. Estradiol

Typical Test Timing: Days 2-4 of cycle
As the primary form of estrogen, estradiol is vital for preparing your body for pregnancy. Testing early in your cycle provides insights into follicular health, while mid-cycle testing can help confirm if ovulation has occurred, a key factor for assessing fertility potential and identifying issues that may lead to infertility.

5. Progesterone

Typical Test Timing: Approximately 7 days after ovulation (around day 21 in a 28-day cycle)
Progesterone is crucial for maintaining a potential pregnancy. Progesterone levels peak about 5-9 days after the luteal phase, after ovulation has occurred. By checking levels about a week after ovulation, you can determine if your body is producing enough progesterone to support early pregnancy. Low progesterone can indicate luteal phase defects, which are associated with infertility and increased risk of miscarriage.

6. Testosterone

Typical Test Timing: Days 2-4 of cycle
Testosterone, often associated with male health, is equally important for women. It influences energy levels and overall vitality. Testing early in the cycle can help identify any hormonal imbalances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can impact ovulation and lead to difficulties in conceiving.

7. DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) 

Typical Test Timing: Any time during the cycle
DHEA is a hormone that serves as a precursor for both estrogen and testosterone. Evaluating DHEA levels can shed light on hormonal health. Low levels have been linked to reduced ovarian function and may impact fertility, particularly in women with diminished ovarian reserve.

8. Prolactin

Typical Test Timing: Days 2-4 of the cycle
Prolactin is mainly known for its role in lactation, but elevated levels can interfere with ovulation. Testing during the early part of your cycle allows for a baseline assessment, helping to identify hyperprolactinemia, which can disrupt menstrual cycles and hinder fertility efforts.

9. Vitamin D

Typical Test Timing: Any time during the cycle
Vitamin D is essential for various bodily functions, including reproductive health. Since its levels don’t vary much throughout the month, you can test at your convenience. Research suggests that sufficient vitamin D levels are associated with improved fertility and may reduce the risk of miscarriage, making it an important marker to monitor.

10. Homocysteine

Typical Test Timing: Any time during the cycle
Homocysteine is an amino acid that can reveal important information about cardiovascular health and its connection to fertility. Elevated levels have been associated with complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, so monitoring this can help identify potential risks.

4. Thyroid Tests (TSH, Free T3, Reverse T3, etc)

Typical Test Timing: Any time during the cycle
Thyroid hormones play a pivotal role in regulating metabolism and overall health, including fertility. Since their levels don’t fluctuate dramatically throughout your cycle, you can test at your convenience. Imbalances in thyroid function can lead to menstrual irregularities and have been linked to fertility challenges, making this assessment vital for those trying to conceive.

12. Blood Clotting Tests (Factor V Leiden, Protein S, PTT, etc.)

Typical Test Timing: Any time during the cycle
Blood clotting tests assess your risk for conditions that could complicate pregnancy, such as thrombophilia. Testing at any point allows for a thorough evaluation of your clotting factors, which is essential for understanding any underlying issues that could contribute to recurrent pregnancy loss.

13. Immunology Tests (ANA, Lupus Anticoagulant, Anticardiolipin Antibodies, etc.)

Typical Test Timing: Any time during the cycle
Immunology tests check for autoimmune conditions that might affect your fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Testing these markers at any time provides critical information about your immune system’s health, which can play a significant role in both infertility and miscarriage.

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While this guide outlines the best times to schedule your fertility tests, remember that everyone’s journey is unique. Your reproductive health is a personal journey, and having the right support can make all the difference!

Goodnatal Lab Testing Schedule

If you have ordered a Goodnatal fertility lab panel, you can ask your phlebotomist at Quest to skip any tests you would like to have drawn on a different cycle day, and go back on that day for those tests.

You may like to follow the following testing schedule:

Cycle Day 2-4

• All tests EXCEPT progesterone (see the full list here)

Cycle Day 21 (in a typical 28 day cycle - more specifically, 7 days after ovulation)

• Progesterone

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Disclaimer: 

The tests provided by Goodnatal are intended for baseline assessment of your reproductive health before starting any treatments or taking any medications. If you are currently seeing a specialist or undergoing fertility treatments, please consult your healthcare provider for tailored advice regarding testing and medication interactions. Always seek professional guidance to ensure your testing aligns with your individual health needs and treatment plans.

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