Well, I just finished a rather yucky week of testing. I was beginning to feel like a pin cushion. Both of us had some basic blood work done, then on day 3 of my cycle I had some hormone blood work done. And then a couple of days later I had a 2-hour glucose test and in the afternoon the hysterosalpingogram (HSG) done. The worst part of that day was the 2-hour glucose test. Just knowing I had to be poked with dreaded needles caused me some consternation. The HSG was pretty uncomfortable, but wasn’t horrid. Turns out I have perfect fallopian tubes!
So we’ve completed some basic testing to see if we can learn what might be causing our infertility. The doctor said I have hypothyroidism so he increased the synthroid I’m on.
Between the two health professionals I’ve seen regarding my problem ovulating, they’ve come up with pre-diabetes, hypthryoidism and PCOS. Of all the symptoms of all these potential problems, I don’t have a majority of symptoms for any one of them. Being a non-medical person, I’m guessing here, but I think maybe the problem is that I’m on the verge of all three. No one of these problems is the real problem yet, but maybe I’m getting toward the borderline of any/all of the three becoming a real problem. And the combination of these three things becoming a problem is causing the lack of ovulation.
The issue here is weight. I don’t know how hypothyroidism is caused, but I know weight loss would fix the pre-diabetes and the PCOS (probably). I actually gained 9 pounds while taking glucophage (for pre-diabetes), but since reducing the glucophage and starting the synthroid I’ve lost 15 pounds. The doctor said if I’ve got PCOS, weight loss is really, really hard. But I’ve lost that 15 pounds in 2 months without trying. (Now, let’s just hope the rest comes off as easily…don’t think so, but I’m hoping.)
Ya know, if you think about it really, medical science isn’t (even in this day and age) a very perfect science. It still is so very reliant on opinion. And if a particular doctor’s mind is already slanted in one particular direction for diagnoses it seems pretty hard for him/her to change that prosceptive.
Dear Andrea & Dave,
Do NOT give up hope!
You two have a much better chance of achieving your dream of being parents because Andrea is still in her thirties! Also one of your doctors wrote that your tubes are normal. That’s GREAT news!!
I know it’s so hard to give up your favorite foods and try to lose weight, but I know you can do it! You’ve already done very well losing fifteen pounds. You should be very proud of yourself and give yourself a pat on the back!
Andrea, I’d like to encourage you and hubby to keep up the great work! Ed and I are going through a similar trial except we are dealing with endometriosis, infertility, and we are in our forties. Have you ever seen a Napro tech doctor? I found a wonderful one here in Mass. He diagnosed me with ovulation dysfunction, put me on “The Fertility Diet”, and I’ve lost 17 pounds so far.
Andrea, I think losing 15 pounds can make a BIG difference when it comes to fertility. This month I experienced more fertility signs and felt when I actually ovulated. I feel very encouraged by this and it’s given me the determination to continue. I read in my book “The Fertility Diet” that just losing 7 percent of your weight can make a difference. I think that’s very true.
I’d like to encourage you and Dave to continue the good work and give you the following links to hopefully encourage you and inspire you.
Please visit:
http://allyouwhohope.blogspot.com/2008/10/gi-diet-and-my-favorite-recipes.html
and also:
http://allyouwhohope.blogspot.com/2008/10/effect-of-diet.html
Andrea and Dave, please know that Ed and I are thinking of you and praying for you too!
Feel free to email me anytime.
May God Bless you.
Maria
Thank you so much for the encouragement Maria! That’s great news about your weight loss too!! You and Ed are in our prayers also.