Friday, March 14, 2008

Blood work done

Seven vials later. Didn't hurt a bit.
Here's some research I've done to figure out what all this is for. However, keep in mind that information can vary. Don't be a douche, read this, and then get all freaked out about your results. Only your doctor can tell you what's what. Don't blindly believe everything you read on the internet. I pretty much stole this from webMD, so check that out for more details. Thanks also to CBL from the Nest for her info. Her's is the non-doctor speak.

FSH-FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (A high FSH can possibly indicate a diminished ovarian reserve)
In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries. The amount of FSH varies throughout a woman's menstrual cycle and is highest just before she releases an egg (ovulates).

What's Normal?
Follicular or luteal phase: 5–20 international units per liter (IU/L)
Midcycle peak: 30–50 IU/L

High FSH values in a woman may indicate:
• Loss of ovarian function before age 40 (ovarian failure).
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Menopause has occurred.
Low FSH values may indicate:
• A woman is not producing eggs (prevents ovulation) or a man is not producing sperm.
• An area of the brain (the hypothalamus or pituitary gland) is not functioning properly.
• A tumor is present that interferes with the brain's ability to control FSH production.
• Stress.
• Starvation or being very underweight.

LH- LUTEINIZING HORMONE (Tells your body its time to ovulate)
In women, LH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and egg production (ovulation). The level of LH in a woman's body varies with the phase of the menstrual cycle. It increases rapidly just before ovulation occurs, about midway through the cycle (day 14 of a 28-day cycle). This is called an LH surge. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels rise and fall together during the monthly menstrual cycle.

What's Normal?
Follicular phase: 1–18 IU/L
Midcycle peak: 8.7–80 IU/L
Luteal phase: 0.5–18 IU/L

High luteinizing hormone values in a woman may indicate:
• Ovaries are absent or have been removed.
• Ovaries are not functioning because of menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or damage from chemotherapy.
Low luteinizing hormone values in a man or woman may indicate:
• Anorexia nervosa.
• Pituitary gland failure.
• Damage to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
• Stress.
• Low body weight

PROGESTERONE (Keeps lining thick after ovulation. Low P4 or abnormal P4 results dependant on your CD could reveal a luteal phase defect, which can usually be easily overcome with P4 supplements)
Progesterone is a female hormone produced by the ovaries during release of a mature egg from an ovary (ovulation). Progesterone helps prepare the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to receive the egg if it becomes fertilized by a sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop and menstrual bleeding begins. During pregnancy, the placenta also produces high levels of progesterone, starting near the end of the first trimester and continuing until the baby is born. Levels of progesterone in a pregnant woman are about 10 times higher than they are in a woman who is not pregnant.

What's Normal?
During the menstrual cycle
Days 1–14: Less than 1 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL)
Days 15–28: 3–25 ng/mL
Progesterone levels during pregnancy 1st trimester: 9–47 ng/mL
2nd trimester: 17–147 ng/mL
3rd trimester: 55–200 ng/mL

High progesterone values may be caused by:
• Pregnancy.
• Cancer of the ovaries or adrenal glands.
• A molar pregnancy.
• Overproduction of hormones by the adrenal glands
Low progesterone values may be caused by:
• Problems with ovulation.
• Possible miscarriage

DHEA- DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE
DHEA is a hormone produced naturally by the body, where it is converted into the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. It is unclear exactly how it influences egg production. DHEA production peaks in the mid-20s, and in most people, gradually declines with age (as do testosterone and estrogen).

What's Normal?
Age 18-19: 145-395 ug/dL = microgram per deciliter (ug/dL)
Age 20-29: 65-380 ug/dL
Age 30-39: 45-270 ug/dL
Age 40-49: 32-240 ug/dL

Other info on DHEA
During a study, patients who took DHEA during an IVF cycle produced more eggs and higher quality embryos. It boosted pregnancy rate from 11% to 23% in the older patient population- aged 40 and above.

I am still unclear as to why she would test this in me, but hey the more info the better.

ESTRADIOL (Another word for Estrogen-essential for building your uterine lining)
Estradiol is the most commonly measured type of estrogen for nonpregnant women. The amount of estradiol in a woman's blood varies throughout her menstrual cycle. After menopause, estradiol production drops to a very low but constant level. Estriol levels usually are only measured during pregnancy. Estriol is produced in large amounts by the placenta, the tissue that links the fetus to the mother. It can be detected as early as the 9th week of pregnancy, and its levels increase until delivery. Estriol can also be measured in urine. Estrone may be measured in women who have gone through menopause to determine their estrogen levels. It also may be measured in men or women who might have cancer of the ovaries, testicles, or adrenal glands.

What's Normal?
For girls and women between puberty and menopause, estrogen levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle.
Women before menopause: 30–400 Picograms per milliliter (pg/mL)

Estriol in pregnant women
1st trimester: Less than 38 Nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)
2nd trimester: 38–140 ng/mL
3rd trimester: 31–460 ng/mL

High values may be caused by:
• Ovarian stimulation used to treat infertility (for example, before in vitro fertilization).
• Cancer, such as cancer of the ovaries, testicles, or adrenal glands.
• Serious liver disease (cirrhosis).
• A pregnancy with more than one fetus, such as twins or triplets.
• Early (precocious) puberty.
Low values may be caused by:
• Problems with ovarian function, which can be caused by a failure of an ovary to develop properly (Turner's syndrome) or because of a drop in pituitary gland activity.
• Anorexia nervosa.
• Menopause.
• A problem with the fetus or placenta during pregnancy.


PROLACTIN
Pregnant women have high levels of prolactin, which helps make breast milk. During pregnancy, prolactin levels increase by 10 to 20 times. After the baby is born, prolactin stays high if you are breast-feeding. In women who do not breast-feed, prolactin levels return to normal soon after they give birth. After months of breast-feeding, prolactin levels may also return to normal levels even if you still breast-feed.

What's Normal?
Nonpregnant women 3.3 to 36.7 ug/L

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