TCOYF and FAM v Dr Advice

[mumwannabe]

I posted the below in a different thread but thought that starting a new thread and changing the subject name might get more readers.....

I had blood tests done last cycle and on Friday I got the results. I saw yet a different doctor (but she does specialise in women's gyn'y issues), 4th or 5th medical person in the same surgery within 5 weeks (3rd Dr). And she told me that I hadn't ovulated last month because my prog test gave a result of 6 but they expect >30!!

According to FF, I have ovulated for the last 4 cycles.

My recent chart shows ov prediction on CD12 (I only do temps, no CM observations charted as yet), and clearly shows low temps in follicular phase and high temps in luteal phase. So, when I had the progesterone test on CD22, I was already 10 dpo and my temp had dipped on that day. Two days later I got my AF!

Aren't the prog tests supposed to be done around 7 dpo? And where did she get the ideal of 30 from? Wouldn't that be a bit high even if the egg had been fertilised????

Has anyone else had experience of their doctor telling them that the FF app is no good, and that the blood results are hard facts? I wonder if she is one of those doctors that Toni Weschler describes in TCOYF, in terms of working within the 28 day model and uneducated in terms of the FAM? :-/

My last 4 cycles:

Mar - cycle length 24, predicted ov CD15 (started charting CD9)
Apr - cycle length 28, predicted ov CD17
May - cycle length 29, predicted ov CD17
Jun - cycle length 23, predicted ov CD12

We have been TTC since we went on holiday in Oct 2012 but only started charting Mar 2013.

What are others' views/experiences?

 

[hmommy219]

How are your ovulation tests matching up? Are you using digital monitors? If not, you should. It will give you a clearer picture of how your body is doing hormonally. Can I ask why you're not checking cm? Again, this is another way to monitor your physical changes throughout the month and track patterns.

 

[mumwannabe]

Hi hmommy,
No reason for not charting CM, I just haven't yet. It hasn't been easy to spot anything on my underwear so I might have to start checking physically. I've also not been successful with opk's yet either, no positives yet but I've only done the odd test (not checked over a few consecutive days for example)....

Just editing to say "congratulations on your BFP" and good luck

 

[redlemonade]

I don't know about the progesterone reading but, yes, they're supposed to do the blood test at 7dpo. My guess is that they judged you're ovulation day by the length of your cycle (ie if your average cycle is around 28 days, they'll assume you ovulated on cd14, and they'll test on cd21). You could try using opks to guide the doctors a bit? I imagine they'll just repeat the blood test again next cycle, on a different cycle day. I think they use the assumption of 28 day cycle with ovulation at cd14 just as a starting point.

My doctor doesn't rate temping too highly and I stopped temping months ago as it was stressful for me. I don't believe your temps are a hard fact that you've ovulated tbh. There are lots of criticisms out there about FAM actually. It is hard to know who is right but I'd trust that the blood tests are accurate. Good luck!