After Your First Visit with a Fertility Specialist
After an initial consultation to comprehensively review your medical history, most patients will be asked to undergo a complete physical exam and a series of infertility tests. This preliminary fertility evaluation phase involves some blood and hormone tests which your fertility specialist will utilize to diagnose the cause of infertility. The testing generally proceeds from standardized screening which all patients need to specialized diagnostic tests that are tailored to the unique needs of each patient. For further information on diagnostic testing, please see our Diagnosis section.
Most fertility physicians will accept relevant standardized screening test results performed by qualified third parties if the information is still current and relevant. After this phase of standard testing however, fertility physicians generally prescribe specific diagnostic tests in accordance with the patient’s individual circumstances. A single blood draw will often provide a sufficient amount to perform nearly all screening tests. The table below outlines common diagnostic tests and the method by which they are administered. The outcome of your testing phase will often lead directly to a diagnosis for the cause of infertility.
Standard Screening Tests (typically required)
| Name of Test | Reason for Test | For Female? | For Male? | Obtained By |
| ABO/Rh | Blood Typing | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| CBC | Complete Blood Count | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| Rubella Titer | German Measles | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| HBsAg | Hepatitis B Surface Antigen | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| Hepatitis C | Hepatitis | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| HIV | AIDS Screen | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| HTLV-1 | Virus Screen | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| RPR/STS | Syphillis Screen | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| Chlamydia | Infection | Yes | Yes | Blood and Culture |
| Pap Smear | Cancer Screen | Yes | No | Office Visit |
Common Diagnostic Tests (may or may not be needed)
| Name of Test | Reason for Test | For Female? | For Male? | Obtained By |
| AMH | Egg Quality | Yes | No | Blood Draw |
| FSH/E2 (Follicle Stimulating Hormone/Estradiol) | Egg Quality | Yes | No | Blood Draw |
| Prolactin | Pituitary Hormone | Yes | No | Blood Draw |
| LH | Luteinizing Hormone | Yes | No | Blood Draw |
| TSH | Thyroid Stimulating Hormone | Yes | No | Blood Draw |
| Free T4 | Thyroid Hormone | Yes | No | Blood Draw |
| DHEAS | Adrenal Hormone | Yes | No | Blood Draw |
| Cortisol (am&pm), ACTH | Adrenal Hormones | Yes | No | Blood Draw |
| Hysterosalpingogram | Uterus and Tubes | Yes | No | Office Visit |
| Hysteroscopy | Uterus | Yes | No | Radiology procedure |
| Ultrasound/ Sonohysterogram | Uterus and Ovaries | Yes | No | Office Visit |
| Routine Culture | Infection | No | Yes | Office Visit |
| Semen Analysis | Sperm Quality | No | Yes | Office Visit |
| Genetic Testing | Genetic Screening | Yes | Yes | Blood Draw |
| Karyotype | Chromosomal Analysis | Yes | Yes | Office Visit |
| PCT | Post-Coital Test | Yes | Yes | Office Visit |
