Blood Tests

Needle Free! Boston Fertility Doctors Develop Saliva Test

Patient-friendly monitoring replaces daily blood tests for IVF

A typical in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle requires hormone therapy to stimulate production of eggs, and daily blood tests to monitor hormone levels and a patient's response to therapy. These daily blood draws for up to seven days can be one of the most unpleasant parts of fertility treatment — leaving a woman feeling stressed and even a little bit like a voodoo doll.

But a Boston fertility clinic is eliminating that stress. Following two years of research, Boston IVF fertility doctors have developed the first needle-free saliva test that will replace the daily blood tests to monitor infertility treatment. They have proven that the hormone estradiol, traditionally measured in the blood, can also be accurately measured in saliva, which virtually eliminates the need for daily blood testing during a patient's treatment cycle.

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The Clomid Challenge Test

The Clomid Challenge Test (also know as the clomiphene citrate challenge test, or CCCT) is an infertility blood test to measure a woman’s ovarian reserve — the health of her ovaries and the quality and quantity of the eggs (oocytes) they contain.

Ovarian Reserve

Regional Microsites:

Long Island, NY

New York City

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Blood Tests

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Special Features (slideshow)

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Fertility Test: Checking Progesterone Levels

A common test for women who are having trouble getting pregnant

Progesterone is a hormone produced mainly in the ovaries by the corpus luteum (what the follicle turns into after it releases the egg). Progesterone helps prepare the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg implants, progesterone then helps the uterine lining (endometrium) to maintain the pregnancy.

Why Would You Have Progesterone Levels Checked?

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Estradiol Levels

Estradiol is a type of estrogen, the major sex hormone in women. It is secreted by the ovarian follicles. As the follicles grow and develop each month, they produce estradiol. This sets the rest of the reproductive cycle in motion.

Why Would You Have Estradiol Checked?

Subjects:

Blood Tests

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Prolactin Levels

Prolactin is a hormone that plays a role in fertility by inhibiting follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the hormones that trigger ovulation and allow eggs to develop and mature.

Prolactin (also called luteotropic hormone) is also associated with the production of breast milk.

It is unclear what role prolactin plays in men, but it is clearly linked to infertility.

Why Would You Have Prolactin Levels Checked?

You would have your prolactin levels checked if you or your partner is having trouble becoming pregnant.

Subjects:

Blood Tests

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Lutenizing Hormone (LH) Test

Lutenizing hormone (LH) is a hormone that is vital for reproduction. It is produced by your pituitary gland. LH helps regulate your menstrual cycle and ovulation. A rise in LH (called the LH surge) triggers ovulation.

Why Would You Have LH Checked?

LH can be used to determine when you are ovulating. This information can help you plan intercourse if you are trying to become pregnant.

Subjects:

Blood Tests

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Serum Progesterone Levels

Why Would You Have Progesterone Levels Checked?

Subjects:

Blood Tests

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Androgen Testing

What Are Androgens?

Subjects:

Blood Tests

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Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test

What it FSH?

FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. FSH causes follicles - the sacs in your ovaries that contain eggs - to grow. FSH is the primary hormone responsible for producing eggs.

In men, FSH is necessary for sperm production.

When Should You Have FSH Levels Checked?

You would have your FSH levels checked if your menstrual cycle has stopped or become irregular to see if you have entered menopause.

Subjects:

Blood Tests

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What Blood Tests Can Tell You About Infertility

A primer.

If you are unable to become pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse, or six months if you are a woman over 35, you and your partner should have a full physical and medical evaluation. Several blood tests are available to determine if you, your partner, or both of you have a problem that is causing infertility.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) helps control a woman’s menstrual cycle and the production of eggs. In men, it regulates the production and transportation of sperm.

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Blood Tests

Needle Free! Boston Fertility Doctors Develop Saliva Test