WWYD: Testing while TTA

[Deleted]

No, not pregnancy tests; but I had to reel you in somehow. Commence collective eyes rolls. Now.


As some of you may know I am scheduled for a laparoscopy on 7/22/15 due to possible endometriosis. There will be a required period of TTA following the surgery. I'm still being seen by my OB/GYN, who is an FACOG, but our current plan is to move to an RE if i'm not KU'd up by February.

So my question is would this be a good time to have a more thorough workup done? Like Progesterone levels, TSH, other related levels. Or are we better off waiting it out until we start TTCing again? Or a third option of your choice?



*Additional info for those that are mobile and wondering why i'm having a laparoscopy: The main reason for the lap is that I have had chronic unexplained pelvic pain for about two years. Additionally, I am currently on my 14th cycle in 12 months. I also have a long history of ovarian cysts, but have not had any since October.


Thanks in advance. I'll try not to be a twat burger.



eta: left out a word. always doing that.

[ghostmonkey]

Wait. Those tests need to be current when you start treatments. You will have to repeat all of them if you do them now/in a couple months and then don't go to an RE for another 6 months.

So if paying for them twice sounds fun, go for it.

[Andrea]

If you decided to go that route, it may help the RE have a better picture of where you are or what should the testing look like at that initial visit with some preliminary testing out of the way.

Anecdote:
I took all of the testing my OB/GYN had done to my RE appointment. Since they were done within the last 12 months, we didn't have to do those again when we met with the RE. I think it was helpful in my case. Mine were less that six months old to reference what GM said.

edited for clarity.

[mrsjene]

I would wait. You probably want the results of those tests to be as up-to-date as possible.

[ghostmonkey]

Jul 10, 2015 11:59:41 GMT -5 Andrea said:

If you decided to go that route, it may help the RE have a better picture of where you are or what should the testing look like at that initial visit with some preliminary testing out of the way.

Anecdote:
I took all of the testing my OB/GYN had done to my RE appointment. Since they were done within the last 12 months, we didn't have to do those again when we met with the RE. I think it was helpful in my case. Mine were less that six months old to reference what GM said.

edited for clarity.

And often a year is the bench mark, however with the surgery which can change cycles and levels, anything done prior to it or shortly after it may not be accurate.

[Andrea]

Jul 10, 2015 12:07:53 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Jul 10, 2015 11:59:41 GMT -5 Andrea said:

If you decided to go that route, it may help the RE have a better picture of where you are or what should the testing look like at that initial visit with some preliminary testing out of the way.

Anecdote:
I took all of the testing my OB/GYN had done to my RE appointment. Since they were done within the last 12 months, we didn't have to do those again when we met with the RE. I think it was helpful in my case. Mine were less that six months old to reference what GM said.

edited for clarity.

And often a year is the bench mark, however with the surgery which can change cycles and levels, anything done prior to it or shortly after it may not be accurate.

That makes sense. I didn't think about the surgery changing levels.

[Deleted]

Ok, so here's my next question:

What are considered current results? Does the criteria vary from test to test? Or doctor to doctor?

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2015 12:07:53 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Jul 10, 2015 11:59:41 GMT -5 Andrea said:

If you decided to go that route, it may help the RE have a better picture of where you are or what should the testing look like at that initial visit with some preliminary testing out of the way.

Anecdote:
I took all of the testing my OB/GYN had done to my RE appointment. Since they were done within the last 12 months, we didn't have to do those again when we met with the RE. I think it was helpful in my case. Mine were less that six months old to reference what GM said.

edited for clarity.

And often a year is the bench mark, however with the surgery which can change cycles and levels, anything done prior to it or shortly after it may not be accurate.

That's what I was thinking, which is why I wanted to get some opinions about it .

[ghostmonkey]

Jul 10, 2015 12:09:10 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Ok, so here's my next question:

What are considered current results? Does the criteria vary from test to test? Or doctor to doctor?

Usually they won't exceed a year. Some want things rechecked after 6 months, especially if things change. If you have any major events that may flag re-testing. Since you haven't done testing yet, it's not really going to provide a lot of useful info unless you have numbers from before surgery and can compare them.

Your TSH should be checked annually at your physical. Unless they suspected low progesterone before, checking it again prior to starting treatments isn't going to tell you much.

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2015 12:16:15 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Jul 10, 2015 12:09:10 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Ok, so here's my next question:

What are considered current results? Does the criteria vary from test to test? Or doctor to doctor?

Usually they won't exceed a year. Some want things rechecked after 6 months, especially if things change. If you have any major events that may flag re-testing. Since you haven't done testing yet, it's not really going to provide a lot of useful info unless you have numbers from before surgery and can compare them.

Your TSH should be checked annually at your physical. Unless they suspected low progesterone before, checking it again prior to starting treatments isn't going to tell you much.

I have my TSH checked every 3-4 months due to medications, but it's always been good. I had an HSG done last month. They wanted trying to rule out tube blockages before moving onto surgery. Do you think they will recommend having another one done following the lap?

[ghostmonkey]

Jul 10, 2015 12:20:28 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Jul 10, 2015 12:16:15 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Usually they won't exceed a year. Some want things rechecked after 6 months, especially if things change. If you have any major events that may flag re-testing. Since you haven't done testing yet, it's not really going to provide a lot of useful info unless you have numbers from before surgery and can compare them.

Your TSH should be checked annually at your physical. Unless they suspected low progesterone before, checking it again prior to starting treatments isn't going to tell you much.

I have my TSH checked every 3-4 months due to medications, but it's always been good. I had an HSG done last month. They wanted trying to rule out tube blockages before moving onto surgery. Do you think they will recommend having another one done following the lap?

If they don't see anything that could cause issues probably not.

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2015 12:25:10 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Jul 10, 2015 12:20:28 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

I have my TSH checked every 3-4 months due to medications, but it's always been good. I had an HSG done last month. They wanted trying to rule out tube blockages before moving onto surgery. Do you think they will recommend having another one done following the lap?

If they don't see anything that could cause issues probably not.

That's good. I'm not really itching to have another one.

[ghostmonkey]

Nah, you should be good until next June for that (maybe longer, depending on your RE's comfort level with things). Unless your OB is planning to stick a chunk of endo in your tube to see what happens, that shouldn't affect them.

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2015 12:29:34 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Nah, you should be good until next June for that (maybe longer, depending on your RE's comfort level with things). Unless your OB is planning to stick a chunk of endo in your tube to see what happens, that shouldn't affect them.

Oh my god, please tell me that was sarcasm and that isn't a real thing.


ETA: And now I thought that through.

[ghostmonkey]

Jul 10, 2015 12:33:04 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Jul 10, 2015 12:29:34 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Nah, you should be good until next June for that (maybe longer, depending on your RE's comfort level with things). Unless your OB is planning to stick a chunk of endo in your tube to see what happens, that shouldn't affect them.

Oh my god, please tell me that was sarcasm and that isn't a real thing.


ETA: And now I thought that through.

FTFY.

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2015 12:41:42 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Jul 10, 2015 12:33:04 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Oh my god, please tell me that was sarcasm and that isn't a real thing.


ETA: And now I thought that through.

FTFY.

Such an unnecessary moment of panic on my part. Just downright silly.
I'm headed to an appointment with a client, so i'll be back later.

Thank you for bestowing your wisdom upon me.

[jags8]

Jul 10, 2015 11:59:32 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Wait. Those tests need to be current when you start treatments. You will have to repeat all of them if you do them now/in a couple months and then don't go to an RE for another 6 months.

So if paying for them twice sounds fun, go for it.

This was my thought as well.

[penguin129]

Jul 10, 2015 12:20:28 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Jul 10, 2015 12:16:15 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Your TSH should be checked annually at your physical. Unless they suspected low progesterone before, checking it again prior to starting treatments isn't going to tell you much.

I have my TSH checked every 3-4 months due to medications, but it's always been good. I had an HSG done last month. They wanted trying to rule out tube blockages before moving onto surgery. Do you think they will recommend having another one done following the lap?

I was going to say it couldn't hurt to check you TSH and then saw you already get this done on a regular basis. It's been almost a year and my levels are still not consistent which is why I was going to suggest getting tested sooner than later. This is the first time I'm hearing about your surgery. I hope all goes well.

[bocaburger]

I disagree with PPs, I would get a workup asap. I feel like we wasted so much time waiting to test until we knew if there was really a problem, and then waiting for a game plan once we tested. If I have one regret with this whole process, it's having waited so long to get serious about treatment.

[emilie]

Jul 10, 2015 19:42:48 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

I disagree with PPs, I would get a workup asap. I feel like we wasted so much time waiting to test until we knew if there was really a problem, and then waiting for a game plan once we tested. If I have one regret with this whole process, it's having waited so long to get serious about treatment.

But she is having the lap now in July, and then maybe not going to an RE until February.  If she isn't possibly going to an RE until February then I would wait until then.  

UNLESS having testing done in 2015 would be beneficial for you insurance-wise (maybe with all this medical stuff you're hitting a deductible or out of pocket) and then maybe I'd do it in November or December.

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2015 20:15:01 GMT -5 emilie said:

Jul 10, 2015 19:42:48 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

I disagree with PPs, I would get a workup asap. I feel like we wasted so much time waiting to test until we knew if there was really a problem, and then waiting for a game plan once we tested. If I have one regret with this whole process, it's having waited so long to get serious about treatment.

But she is having the lap now in July, and then maybe not going to an RE until February.  If she isn't possibly going to an RE until February then I would wait until then.  

UNLESS having testing done in 2015 would be beneficial for you insurance-wise (maybe with all this medical stuff you're hitting a deductible or out of pocket) and then maybe I'd do it in November or December.

I hit my deductibles pretty early in the year. Yay for multiple medical issues. It is something to consider though.

However, I think that based on the advice from everyone, we will wait it out for now.