NHS help

[madkitty]

We are on our 8th cycle now TTC - Im 38 this year and boyf is 36. I have spoken to the docs and they have agreed to do a CD20 blood test for FSH, LH , progesterone and thyroid but after that she said nothing else can be done until we have been trying for 12 months. I have read everywhere though that it is 6 months - can anyone clarify for me please?

 

[NorthStar]

Depends where you are in the country.

You are lucky if the NHS will do anything for you after 12 months, here in Glasgow they expect you to be trying for 2 years before you get a referral to a FS, so you are lucky that the doctor will do anything for you after only 8 months.

 

[Jo.t]

I was told 2 years & I am 37 this year

 

[SabrinaKat]

you could ask your GP to run the regular tests and then go private for whatever else the GP won't do?

In Ireland, I had my GP run the tests for LH, TSH, thyroid, etc., but had to go to a specialist for one or two other bloods tests.

best wishes

 

[VIKK1]

My GP ran tests after 6 months, which came back fine and then managed to get a referal to see the consultant gynae after 12 months. After 18 months, so 12 months after first GP appt they prescribed me clomid.

I'm going back Tuesday to request and HSG and talk about any thyroid problems, think I may need to be a bit pushy!

 

[NorthStar]

The NHS varies wildly from area to area, I'm waiting on appointment with the senior FS and have been told that once I get this appointment I can get put on the waiting list for HSG which is a minimum of 8 months wait. As for pushing hmmm good luck there's no negotiating here in Glasgow

Can't even get Clomid from the GPs here.

I'll be going private for testing, and am already in the private system for Clomid.

 

[peacebaby]

Unfortunately with the NHS you have to let them know you've done your homework and know what you need,being pushy is not comfortable but necessary. My GP admitted that they are told to tell women over 35 to keep trying - their view is that older woman are expected to take at least 12-18 mnths to fall pregnant. The other issue to be aware of is that the cut off age for NHS IVF is 39 (or 40 in some places) so the longer they keep one waiting = the less money they have to spend on you!

 

[NorthStar]

It's 38 in some areas of the country (IVF cutoff) but then most Glaswegians are grandparents by that age anyway it's a harder than average city to be child free in.