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What to Expect at a Preliminary Fertility Evaluation

Woman Consulting with Physician

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 TestReason for TestFor Female?For Male?Obtained By
ABO/RhBlood TypingYesYesBlood Draw
CBCComplete Blood CountYesYesBlood Draw
Rubella TiterGerman MeaslesYesYesBlood Draw
HBsAgHepatitis B Surface AntigenYesYesBlood Draw
Hepatitis CHepatitisYesYesBlood Draw
HIVAIDS ScreenYesYesBlood Draw
HTLV-1Virus ScreenYesYesBlood Draw
RPR/STSSyphillis ScreenYesYesBlood Draw
ChlamydiaInfectionYesYesBlood and Culture
Pap SmearCancer ScreenYesNoOffice Visit

 

Common Diagnostic Tests (may or may not be needed)

Name of TestReason for TestFor Female?For Male?Obtained By
AMHEgg QualityYesNoBlood Draw
FSH/E2 (Follicle Stimulating Hormone/Estradiol)Egg QualityYesNoBlood Draw
ProlactinPituitary HormoneYesNoBlood Draw
LHLuteinizing HormoneYesNoBlood Draw
TSHThyroid Stimulating HormoneYesNoBlood Draw
Free T4Thyroid HormoneYesNoBlood Draw
DHEASAdrenal HormoneYesNoBlood Draw
Cortisol (am&pm), ACTHAdrenal HormonesYesNoBlood Draw
HysterosalpingogramUterus and TubesYesNoOffice Visit
HysteroscopyUterusYesNoRadiology procedure
Ultrasound/ SonohysterogramUterus and OvariesYesNoOffice Visit
Routine CultureInfectionNoYesOffice Visit
Semen AnalysisSperm QualityNoYesOffice Visit
Genetic TestingGenetic ScreeningYesYesBlood Draw
KaryotypeChromosomal AnalysisYesYesOffice Visit
PCTPost-Coital TestYesYesOffice Visit
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