Forum Discussion
Ovarian reserve testing + Letter to ex GP
Since my last post I decided to be proactive on the whole trying to get pregnant soon thing.
I stopped Tamoxifen on the 8th of November and need to wait 3 months before trying to start a family. I had been wondering if it was a gamble to try naturally first since time is so precious in this game or if we should go straight to a specialist for help. I phoned to find out if there were any tests which could help make this decision and was happy to find out it is a simple blood test!
It cost me $90 to have my AMH levels tested. I had to google what that ment....
'Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone secreted by cells in developing egg sacs (follicles). The level of AMH in a woman's blood is generally a good indicator of her ovarian reserve. AMH does not change during your menstrual cycle, so the blood sample can be taken at any time of the month - even while you are using oral contraception................An AMH test gives us some insight into the remaining quantity of eggs and number of fertile years you may have, but it cannot tell us much about the quality of those eggs.'
I had the blood test last week but wont get the results till December 13th. Fingers crossed we have good enough numbers that trying naturally is an option!
On a side note. While at my GP it came up in conversation that my old GP who misdiagnosed my cancer 4 times over the space of a year does not actually know that cancer was the final verdict. My new GP suggested writing a letter to her so that she is aware and wont make the same mistake with anyone else. I think this is a great idea and have been thinking about it since this all started but hesitant to begin the letter as the emotions are still pretty raw on this front. Between my first doctors appointment with boob concerns to diagnosis was a year and a half. Her oversight due to my age could have literally cost me my life if my cancer was faster growing. Talk about a terrifying thought!
Pretty much I am stalling starting the letter by posting here instead. I also thought that some ladies who may not be quite at the stage yet but will be looking at pregnancy in the future might like to know about the AMH test.
Well. Enough stalling. Will go and write the letter now so I can post it tomorrow. Hope I find the right words to make this GP more vigilant and proactive on the BC detection front.
Will copy and past what I send her in the comments later xo
I stopped Tamoxifen on the 8th of November and need to wait 3 months before trying to start a family. I had been wondering if it was a gamble to try naturally first since time is so precious in this game or if we should go straight to a specialist for help. I phoned to find out if there were any tests which could help make this decision and was happy to find out it is a simple blood test!
It cost me $90 to have my AMH levels tested. I had to google what that ment....
'Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone secreted by cells in developing egg sacs (follicles). The level of AMH in a woman's blood is generally a good indicator of her ovarian reserve. AMH does not change during your menstrual cycle, so the blood sample can be taken at any time of the month - even while you are using oral contraception................An AMH test gives us some insight into the remaining quantity of eggs and number of fertile years you may have, but it cannot tell us much about the quality of those eggs.'
I had the blood test last week but wont get the results till December 13th. Fingers crossed we have good enough numbers that trying naturally is an option!
On a side note. While at my GP it came up in conversation that my old GP who misdiagnosed my cancer 4 times over the space of a year does not actually know that cancer was the final verdict. My new GP suggested writing a letter to her so that she is aware and wont make the same mistake with anyone else. I think this is a great idea and have been thinking about it since this all started but hesitant to begin the letter as the emotions are still pretty raw on this front. Between my first doctors appointment with boob concerns to diagnosis was a year and a half. Her oversight due to my age could have literally cost me my life if my cancer was faster growing. Talk about a terrifying thought!
Pretty much I am stalling starting the letter by posting here instead. I also thought that some ladies who may not be quite at the stage yet but will be looking at pregnancy in the future might like to know about the AMH test.
Well. Enough stalling. Will go and write the letter now so I can post it tomorrow. Hope I find the right words to make this GP more vigilant and proactive on the BC detection front.
Will copy and past what I send her in the comments later xo
11 Replies
Just crazy isnt it! Glad there are still good doctors out there we just need to find them. Hope all your treatment is going well xoPaulaN said:I saw a Dr at the clinic I used to go to with a marble sized lump in my boob. He didnt look at it at all & told me it was an infection & put me on antibiotics. How he came to this conclusion God only knows. Luckily it turned out to be nothing but 12 months later I got BC in the other boob.
Paula- I saw a Dr at the clinic I used to go to with a marble sized lump in my boob. He didnt look at it at all & told me it was an infection & put me on antibiotics. How he came to this conclusion God only knows. Luckily it turned out to be nothing but 12 months later I got BC in the other boob.
Paula - Perfect letter
- Looks good Karen. Non threatening, informative and personal. I hope she reads it and considers the information carefully.
- Hi karen we all need to listen to out instincts when we think there is something wrong. Fantastic letter as doc needs to listen to concerns from their patients. I'm glad you persisted
- Thank you everyone! I was trying for a tone that wasn't too aggressive but got the point across. I posted it off this morning and now wondering if she will respond in any way. Hadn't really considered that when I wrote it!
Excellent letter Karen - written with such conviction but no malice.
What is most evident is your underlying concern for other patients & that their concerns not ever be dismissed, regardless of their age !
My very best wishes to you. xxx
- Well done Karen. So easy not to have the hard conversations or write the difficult letter. Your emotions are still raw yet you did it - and you may just have saved several lives. Jane x
- Karen I think your letter is brilliant!! The tone of the letter is concern, and highlights the need for Drs to be vigilant in their responses to young women's symptoms. Fantastic.
- Excellent letter, well done!
