Are you or your partner above age 35? If you’re considering pregnancy in the next few years or have been having trouble conceiving, you might be interested in fertility tests. Now it’s easier than ever to get started: With fertility lab testing by a private company, you can avoid expensive clinic fees and keep your health records absolutely secure.

If you were to go the usual route, fertility testing would typically involve both you and your partner visiting a reproductive endocrinologist. You would get full medical exams and be asked questions about your sexual practices, your medical histories, and your history of pregnancies.  These situations can be experienced as inconvenient and intrusive, and often they aren’t reimbursed by health insurance.

Another option is to take charge of hormone blood tests yourselves. No, you won’t be mixing up test tubes and chemicals in the garage. Health Testing Centers or another private lab can send you hormone blood tests. Test results may be available within 24 or 48 hours.

Fertility Tests for Women

The following fertility lab tests are available for women via Health Testing Centers:

• Dihydroeprandrostone (DHEAS):  This hormone test evaluates adrenal function. It can help rule out PCOD, amenorrhea and hirsutism as causes of infertility.
• Estradiol:  This hormone is a form of estrogen that’s associated with ovarian function. It can also be a “quality score” for a woman’s eggs. This test is most accurate on the third day of the menstrual cycle.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone:  FSH helps to control egg production. Tests are best done on the third day of the menstrual cycle.
• Luteinizing hormone: LH can be an indicator of a woman’s egg supply and egg maturation. A high ratio of LH to FSH may be a sign of ovarian cysts. An LH test is typically performed during ovulation.
• Progesterone: Progesterone is a hormone that indicates ovulation. It’s produced when the uterus gets ready to receive a fertilized egg.
• Prolactin:  This hormone causes milk production. A prolactin test can help indicate whether nipple discharge is related to pregnancy.
• Testosterone:  A woman’s low testosterone level can help explain a low interest in sexual activity.
• Thyroid tests: Many thyroid issues can interfere with conception. Tests offered by Health Testing Centers include those for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a thyroid profile, free T3, and free thyroxine or T4.

Fertility Tests for Men

The following five tests for male fertility are available through Health Testing Centers:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone:  FSH helps control the production and transportation of sperm.
• Luteinizing hormone: LH helps with the production of sperm. It is an indicator of the level of sperm in reserve.
• Prolactin:  Tests for prolactin may be recommended when a man lacks sexual desire or has trouble achieving an erection.
• Testosterone:  Testosterone tests are recommended for all men who want to check their fertility levels.
• Free testosterone:This test indicates which testosterone hormones are unbound.

With private companies like Health Testing Centers, you can begin to find out on your own what’s been getting in the way of pregnancy. We love how you can avoid hospital fees and maintain privacy! Expert help may be useful later on, but in the early stages there’s nothing wrong with taking charge of medical testing as a couple on your own.