Laboratory tests

The hormonal balance in the body is a delicate interplay between many parameters. Thus, various hormonal disorders can be the cause of a woman not becoming pregnant or having repeated miscarriages. A blood test can detect malfunctions of the thyroid gland, the pituitary gland (e.g. elevated prolactin levels) or even the adrenal cortex and ovaries (e.g. elevated male hormones). The hormones of the ovary (estradiol, corpus luteum hormone) change during the cycle and are therefore determined at various time points, often multiple times during a cycle.
Some general hormonal disorders are common, for example hypothyroidism, elevated prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia) or diabetes mellitus including its

precursor. These should be properly controlled with medication before the start of targeted gynecological treatment. We offten apply strcter criteria to infertility patients than perhaps your family doctor or internist. If this alone is not sufficient, hormone stimulation can be carried out, i.e. egg maturation, ovulation and support oft he corpus luteum phase. Before fertility treatment, serological tests for HIV, hepatitis B and C are necessary in both partners. Chromosomal analysis from a blood sample in both the man and woman is recommended prior to ICSI therapy and for diagnosis in cases of repeated miscarriages. These blood samples can of course also be taken in our practice.