Talk to me about the Clomid Challenge Test

[LillianB]

My mind is whirling after spending 2 hours this morning with DH at a consultation with a fertility specialist. All of the questions I should have thought to ask then are finally starting to surface! (Figures.)

I am 38, DH is 50 and we've been ttc for going on 8 months. This morning DH gave a sample for a sperm analysis and the doctor recommended that I get started by getting my FSH levels tested and/or doing the Clomid Challenge. My cycle started today, so I have 2 days to figure out what I want to do.

I'm not sure I want to do the Clomid Challenge. We've decided that if we can't conceive on our own, we won't pursue assisted methods. Knowing that, are there still benefits to doing the challenge? Is the FSH test sufficiently informative?

I would love to hear from anyone who would be willing to share about their experience with the Clomid Challenge.

Many, many thanks,
LB

[sleepingbeauty]

I don't know about the details of this stuff (I'm still Waiting To Try for #1) BUT I didn't want to read and run. I wish you guys the best of luck!

[LillianB]

Thank you, Kristin. Good luck to you, too!

[SimplyRochelle]

I'm kind of confused. Are you saying that if the clomid didn't work you wouldn't pursue any other assisted methods or that you wouldn't want to take the clomid either? Its my understanding that with the clomid challenge test you would be taking a small dose of clomid and then having extra bloodwork done that cycle. they would essentially just be checking your response and confirming ovulation. I took clomid for the first time this month and didn't have any of the harsh side effects I read about. A few headaches and one hot flash but it wasn't bad at all. We'll see if it worked in a few weeks but I responded really well to the lowest dose.

If you're willing you give it a shot, I day what do you have to lose? This is as far as my dh and I are comfortable going as far as assistance goes and its all about your comfort level. Good luck! Let us know what you decide.

[~Adorkable~]

• a full day 3 blood work should be the first this, this includes FSH and LH and sometimes estradiol
  
  http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html
  here is a great quick page i go to to reference most of the test they would be running for fertility and info about what day they should be given and what good number are. i have found that many doctors are sloppy about what day they give the test and that can really throw off the numbers, you need to be your own advocate in these and all fertility matters.
  
• then you want to know why he is wanting the clomid test, that is only needed if you are not cycling properly and he wants to know if it is because you are not ovulating.
  
• if you are having relatively regular cycles, then i suggest you ask for a CD21 progesterone test to confirm ovulation and/or a mid-cycle ultrasound to look for follicles about to ovulate. the timing of both these things would be different if your cycle is much longer or shorter than 28 days. is it?
  
• and i really suggest that if you are not already, that you start to chart your cycle. this can best be done with your temperature and backed up with other signs. if you have more questions about that let me know, for all i know you already do, so i wont ramble on.
  
• and the other big thing is that i suggest that you read Taking Charge of Your Fertility
  
  it is hands down the best way for to learn all this stuff.

hope this gets you started well, we are here to help with any thing that comes up and a great place just to talk!

[~Adorkable~]

oh and about the no wanting to take anything to get preggo. i totally respect that, the clomid test could possible be helpful to pinpoint an issue if you are not cycling on your own, i have no idea if this is your case. and in certain cases it could tell you things that you could then take care of in other no medical/intervention ways.

best thing in my opinion? take it one day at a time and first lets figure out where you stand with the basic tests and you can go from there

[LillianB]

You all are wonderful. Thank you for the replies.

I've been charting for 9 months now. My cycles are pretty regular and I ovulate every month (at least on paper) and get positive OPKs. I keep TCOYF on my bedside table and refer to it frequently!

I got my test results back but have not discussed them with the doctor yet. My FSH was 9.9 and my E2 was 52 (on day 3). I know the FSH is borderline but am not sure if it's worth freaking out over. For a 38 year old with one ovary, are those awful numbers?

As far as the Clomid goes, I'd be willing to try it if I thought it would help, but I don't want to be taking a scattershot approach to treatments. I haven't had an HSG yet but suppose I should consider that before I do anything else.

What I worry most about is the emotional toll of trying a whole bunch of things that may or may not help. So I'm trying to be judicious and efficient in my approach.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

[lesliesara63]

Well investigating your fertility certainly does have an emotionall toll. And everyone has a different comfort level of how far they are willing to go. My sister has previously done fertility treatments before adopting. She says she would never do it again. I did two clomid/iui cycles to conceive dd#2 and am very comfortable trying that route again. I found the stress of waiting for test results more stressful than the actual treatment cycles. If you are at least willing to explore the reasons for not getting pregnant, I'd do the clomid challenge. I've done it, its not really a big deal. I already wanted to take clomid and then its just one more blood test. Hopefully they can do your HSG the same cycle and get it all over with. Good luck!