Just got blood test results back... scared.

[Lady_R]

& what to think!

Since DH & I have been TTC'ing for over a year with no luck, my naturopathist ordered a day 21 of my cycle blood test to check levels of LH, FSH, Oestradiol, progesterone and homocysteine.. Now, from what I can make out to be able to read (it got faxed through to me at home) it seems as though most of the levels of everything are fine - bar one. The homocysteine. Without going too far in to it, the blood test has revealed that I have what's called Homocystinuria (I can make that one out)!

Does anyone know much about this said 'disease', or how it can / does affect fertility and the chances of carrying a baby?? I've tried to do a little bit of research, but I can't find anything that suggests any info linking it to fertility!

I'm praying that it's nothing too serious, and that everything will be OK, but like I said I just don't know!!

[Lady_R]

Forgot to mention I have tried calling my GP but he's currently with another patient... & let's just say, he's not the most supportive of GP's with being able to provide me answers.....

[StrawberryMumma]

Hi Lady R

Sorry you are feeling a bit stressed.
You definitely need to speak to someone who can interpret the results properly though. Sometimes blood work may come back with numbers that seem to way out of the norm, but in some cases it may not be relevant.
I have no idea about yours in particular, but try not to stress and cause yourself perhaps unneccessary worry until you speak to someone who can put it all into perpective.
If your GP is unsupportive, then can you find another one? If you aren't happy with your current one, don't even waste your time. And was your naturopath going to follow up your results and try to explain them to you? Waste of time ordering tests if he/she isn't going to explain them to you!

Anyway, good luck hun x

[Lady_R]

Tis' true.. My GP most definately isn't the most supportive, but I'm scared (for lack of a better word) to go to someone new.. I've been with this GP for many years, and whilst he's not the 'best' in terms of fertility and so forth, I sort of feel comfortable with him and don't know how I'd go sourcing a new one, IYKWIM..

Mind you, we're moving up to the Sunshine Coast this weekend so I dare say it's time to find a new one regardless (can't see me driving all the way to Brisbane for my appt's with him) so if anyone has any rec's for a good GP on the Sunny Coast it'd be a great help!!!???

Yes, I have faxed the results to the naturopath and she is going to go over them and contact me accordingly. I just don't know if she'll be able to read them very well herself, since it will have then been through the fax twice.. Oh well, it's worth a shot!

I've found a little info on it.. as I said nothing that really relates to fertility, but from what I have read it isn't good.

[Loula]

sorry i cant help but thinking of you

[teddy]

hi Lady_R

i agree with Lee you need someone to sit down and explain these things, i know its not much consolation (?sp) but atleast you are getting some answers

i just googled "homocystine fertility" and got lots of stuff to read, there is some treatment ie increased folic acid so no need to panic just yet. but get to talk to your GP and your naturopath (great to bounce questions off each one, and both may have different ways to help you ).

not nice to find these things, but (I like to find the silverlining), better to know now rather than years down the track after some not so good outcomes.

hope you get some good news soon

[Lady_R]

Very true.. I try so hard to (like yourself) see the good, or even the 'better' in as much as possible throughout this whole tedious journey, but when I read things like I read this morning such as 'death at a younger age', low protein diet when I've been told that I should be on the complete opposite - high protein - or for instance, when I call my GP 3 times in one day to ask for clarification on something, only to have him re-fax the report to me twice out of those 3 times! Huhh? that's not what I asked for in any messages I left him. I outright expressed my concern re: the results, and that I'd hoped to speak to him as soon as possible as I had a couple of questions.. Seems I'm being ignored (think this for a couple of reasons).

He's always been so cooperative to call me back ALWAYS, he's mostly been very helpful in explaining whatever it is that might simply arise, or arise from a particular test, but I made the TABU of all mistakes when I saw him yesterday. I told him I'd been seeing a naturopathist.. Well, didn't that go down like a lead balloon?? Needless to say he didn't agree / like the fact one little bit.

Up until recently I dreaded seeking a new GP, but now I think it is definately for the utmost best - no iff's, butt's or maybe's. I should have faced the facts a long time ago really.. then I might be at a better place in terms of choice of GP at the moment. Oh well, can't predict these things can we..

Onwards and upwards..

Cheers,
Nicole

P.S. thank you for your post, and for your warm words and hug - it all means a 'hell of a' lot. the amount that I think only we as TTC'ers actually 'get'. x/o

[teddy]

mwarrr...... thanks nicole, you made me cry.

BellyBelly was such a sanity saver for me when i was diagnosed with my missed miscarriage back in july. just to read the stories of other real people going through similar (and even far more tragic) journies, and to see them struggle and then find help and comfort this is truely amazing and we are so lucky. i didn't think i would be as "together" now without it. so i try in my small way to pass it forward

having worked in the medical field, i know the arrogance (?sp) of some doctors. doctors don't know it all, there is so much science doesn't know about the way the human body works its scary sometimes !!! i would think that the fact you are taking charge of you body and your health, that your doctor should be applauding you.
its very hard to find one, i have found that sometimes you only know after theres been a problem.
best of luck

[Lady_R]

BIG to you hun! xxoo Not good that I make you cry tho - lol! *kidding*

I'm so sorry to hear of the m/m - while I've never encountered one personally, someone extremely extremely close to me had the same thing happen to her and it was such an dreadful horrible experience for her to have to endure. NO ONE should ever have to go through that, and it makes me angry angry angry to know that so many do. It's just not fair..

The said person chose to labour her baby boy (they just 'knew' he was a boy - bless them) rather than have the D&C and whilst it took her some time for it 'to happen', I was with her when she gave birth and all in all she has come through it such a different person - in many many ways. Obviously her baby boy will forever be with her, and the pain will never go away, but she has grown so so much from such an awful experience. She says the best word to describe how she felt as she grew through the experience, right to the end, was empowerment. *cry*

You are such a strong, beautiful, empowered, extraodinary woman for having actually been through it and dealt with it - just remember that. You're special. xxx/ooo

I think the same thing, trust me re: the natural therapy!!! Unfortunately though, my GP doesn't share the same enthusiasm. Oh well, no point moping about it. Forward I keep trudging, one step and day at a time...

Take care,
Nicole

[Shades]

I just googled homocystinuria, from what I can tell it is a metabolic disorder, which shouldn't affect your fertility I don't think, but it is a genetic disorder, which means you have a 1 in 4 chance of passing on the gene to your offspring. But it is a RECESSIVE disorder, so they would only be a carrier of the disease unless they got another copy of the same defective gene from their father. It obviously varies in severity (as you didn't even know you had it?) but I would be asking to speak to a genetic counsellor just to ease any fears and answer any questions you may have. Your FS should be able to give your more specific advice regarding any effects on fertility.

[Arimeh]

I don't have any advice - but I recommend a great GP on the sunny coast. PM me for further details if you are interested.

[Lady_R]

That's right Samantha, I found the same info out hun. What I don't understand though is if it doesn't affect fertility why is it one of the levels they require testing during the TTC journey - baffling...

Arimeh, I tried PM'ing you but it won't let me. I've tried PM'ing a couple of ladies since joining and it continually takes me to the same page telling me I don't have sufficient security access to do so. Does anyone know why this is? Perhaps I should try to contact Kelly @ BB??

[Shades]

I'm Chantelle - Samantha is Sambo ...

Maybe they test for it so they can find out if you have the disease early on and can be fully informed before continuing TTC?

[teddy]

Hey nicole, i see you are still confused about high homocystine levels and TCC?

homocystine levels are a screening test for genetic disorders involving the MTHFR gene. as i think you have found, high homocystine levels make you at risk of stroke, heatattacks etc this is because the homocystine is involved in the clotting mechanism in the blood. as you can imagine not a good thing when the placenta is the thing linking your developing baby to your body.

your natropath was on the ball in ordering this test for you and he/she will no doubt tell you what is the best method of treatment (i think increase B6, B12 & folate will decrease homocystine). and i am not sure if you will need a FS to go through a more comprehensive list of tests or even if you need to be tested for MTHFR now.

if i was really good i could put up a few links to other threads here on BB, but i have no clue
i'll try hope this works (don't let the titles freek you please)
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ighlight=MTHFR

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ighlight=MTHFR

there are other threads with info if you go to the tabs at the top of the page where your "user profile" is third from the left is the "search" . i found these serching for MTHFR but BB is a treasure trove of info

HTH

[Lady_R]

I'm Chantelle - Samantha is Sambo ...

Maybe they test for it so they can find out if you have the disease early on and can be fully informed before continuing TTC?

My bad, I'm sorry! Note to self from now on...

Teddy, thank you for your huge array of information! I haven't got a chance to go over it all at the moment (just got the net back on at the new place and thought I'd pop on for a quick sec!) but as soon as I do I'll make a more detailed reply. Thank you tho!!! x

[Lady_R]

Teddy, thank you again for that information, it's proving really really helpful. I have tried googling the whole gene / disorder a few times but failed to find any segments where it was linked with fertility, in the way that these posts are - so thank you! x

Arimeh, would you mind please PM'ing me the name of your GP on the sunny coast? I have tried PM'ing you but since my posts aren't up as yet I'm not able to. Would be greatly appreciated, thank you!!

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