The following tables contain the
most common diagnostic procedures
performed by RMA of Texas as part
of your comprehensive evaluation
to determine the underlying cause
of your infertility.
|
Basic
Screening Preconceptional
Panel |
|
Female
Testing ♀ |
Type
of Test |
Expires |
|
HIV |
Blood
Test |
after
1 year |
|
Hepatitis
panel |
Blood
Test |
after
1 year |
|
VDRL
or RPR |
Blood
Test |
after
1 year |
|
Chlamydia |
Cervical
Culture |
after
1 year |
|
Gonorrhea |
Cervical
Culture |
after
1 year |
|
Pap
Smear |
Cervical
Sampling |
after
1 year |
|
Cystic
Fibrosis |
Blood
Test |
Never |
|
Rubella
antibodies |
Blood
Test |
Never |
|
Varicella |
Blood
Test |
Never |
|
Blood
group and Rh factor |
Blood
Test |
Never |
|
Male
Testing ♂ |
Type
of Test |
Expires |
|
HIV |
Blood
Test |
after
1 year |
|
Hepatitis
panel |
Blood
Test |
after
1 year |
|
VDRL
or RPR |
Blood
Test |
after
1 year |
|
Comprehensive
Fertility Work-up |
|
Female
Testing ♀ |
Indication |
Type
of Test |
Factor
Assessed |
|
Hysterosalpingogram
(HSG) |
Basic
work-up |
X-Ray
or Dye Test |
Tubal
and Uterine Factor |
|
Serum
Progesterone |
Basic
work-up |
Blood
Test |
Ovulation |
|
Ovulation
Predictor Kit |
Basic
work-up |
Urine |
Ovulation |
|
Clomiphene
Challenge Test |
Unexplained
infertility, 30-40 years
of age, one single ovary,
poor response to ovulation
induction |
Blood
and Ultrasounds |
Ovulation
(Ovarian Reserve) |
|
Saline
Ultrasound |
Recurrent
miscarriages, IVF pre-testing |
Ultrasound |
Uterine
Factor |
|
Hysteroscopy |
Recurrent
miscarriages, IVF pre-testing |
outpatient
surgery |
Uterine
Factor |
|
Laparoscopy
|
suspected
endometriosis or adhesions |
outpatient
surgery |
Tubal
and Peritoneal Factor
(i.e. endometriosis,
scarring tissue) |
|
Karyotype |
Recurrent
miscarriages, premature
ovarian failure, etc. |
Blood
Test |
Chromosomes |
|
Mammogram |
If
> 40 years of age |
X-Ray
or Dye Test |
Breast
CA Screening |
|
Uterine
Catheter Trial Transfer |
IVF
pre-testing |
Blood
Test |
Never |
|
Male
Testing ♂ |
Indication |
Type
of Test |
Factor
Assessed |
|
Semen
Analysis |
Basic
work-up |
Semen
sample |
Male
Factor |
|
Sperm
Antibodies |
Basic
work-up |
Semen
sample |
Male
Factor |
|
Karyotype |
Recurrent
miscarriages in partner,
Very low sperm counts |
Blood
Test |
Chromosomes |
|
Y-Deletion |
Very
low sperm counts |
Blood
Test |
Male
Factor |
|
FSH,
Testosterone, TSH, PRL |
Low
sperm counts |
Blood
Test |
Male
factor |
|
Post-ejaculatory
urine analysis |
Very
low sperm volume, suspicion
of retrograde ejaculation |
Semen
sample/Urine sample |
Male
Factor |
Preliminary Screening Test
For most couples, several tests
will be required prior to initiating
the IVF cycle. These are designed
to look for problems that could
have an adverse impact on your
treatment or subsequent pregnancy.
If you have had any of the tests
listed below done, please make
the results available to your
Nurse. Depending upon
the test, you may not need to
have the test repeated immediately
prior to your cycle. Because
of the nature of some tests,
we will ask that certain tests
be done at RMATX or by a lab
approved by our office.
FEMALE TESTING
|
» |
Blood
Tests
|
| |
|
|
FSH
/ LH / Estradiol |
| |
This
combination of
FSH (follicle
stimulating hormone),
LH (luteinizing
hormone) and estradiol
drawn on day 2,
3 or 4 of the
cycle is a reflection
of the female
partner’s ovarian
reserve, or how
well we expect
her ovaries to
respond to stimulation.
We will generally
test all women
regardless of
age, because of
the wide range
of variation of
the onset of menopause
and ovarian function
in infertility
patients. These
tests will help
us determine which
procedures and
protocols are
most appropriate. |
| |
|
|
Infectious
Screen (chlamydia,
hepatitis, syphilis,
HIV, mycoplasma,
gonorrhea) |
| |
Having
one of these infections
could adversely
affect the outcome
of your procedure
or your pregnancy
should you become
pregnant. |
| |
|
|
Pregnancy
Screen: (Blood
type and Rh Factor,
Rubella titer,
complete blood
count) |
| |
Determining
Blood type can
be helpful if
there are problems
with a pregnancy.
Rubella is an
infection that
can cause serious
birth defects
if it occurs while
you are pregnant.
Most of us have
been immunized
against it.
However, some
people have not
been immunized
or their immunization
is no longer working.
This test determines
if immunization
is needed.
A complete blood
count screens
for anemia and
other blood disorders
and can tip us
off about certain
inherited disorders. |
| |
|
|
Prolactin,
TSH |
| |
These
hormonal tests
screen for subtle
abnormalities
that could effect
your treatment
or your pregnancy.
Both hormones
are made by the
pituitary gland
in the brain.
Prolactin is a
hormone that helps
to stimulate milk
production during
breast-feeding.
Some women will
secrete too much
prolactin when
not breast-feeding.
TSH (thyroid-stimulating
hormone) is the
most sensitive
test of thyroid
function.
It can detect
either over activity
or under activity
of the thyroid
gland. |
| |
|
|
Anti-sperm
Antibodies |
| |
