Private hormone testing

Kira000

Hi, I recently had a m/c, and the blood tests done showed an extremely low level of progesterone for the stage of pregnancy. Based on this and a few other things, i suspect low progesterone may have been the cause.
The hospital/GP however, won't investigate if i have low progesterone levels as i havent had enough M/c yet.

I would like to get a private test, and then treatment if it shows necessary. Does anyone have any recommendations of how to do this, or where to go? There are companies i've found who will do saliva testing, but i don't know how/who i can then get to translate the results and arrange any treatment required?

Astara

Hi I've got a private hormone doctor Dr John Moran at https://www.holisticmedical.co.uk who you could contact to see if he could arrange that test and treatment for you. He's in London and it will cost but could put your mind at rest.

Kira000

Astara wrote: »

Hi I've got a private hormone doctor Dr John Moran at www.holisticmedical.co.uk who you could contact to see if he could arrange that test and treatment for you. He's in London and it will cost but could put your mind at rest.

Thanks for the recommendation Astara. I'll have a look.

fannyadams

you can ask the GP practise to test for this - they will tell you how much to get it done.
I have had my thyroid funtion tested privately by my GP because the 'normal' test is just for two things and I needed all of the thyroid thingies testing for.

Kira000

fannyadams wrote: »

you can ask the GP practise to test for this - they will tell you how much to get it done.
I have had my thyroid funtion tested privately by my GP because the 'normal' test is just for two things and I needed all of the thyroid thingies testing for.

That is interesting Fannyadams. I did ask the GP when i went in this week, and i got pretty much a brick wall, even when i said about privately funding the test. Maybe it varies practise to practise if they are willing to do tests privately. I'll try ringing the practise manager and asking.

System

Kira000 wrote: »

The hospital/GP however, won't investigate if i have low progesterone levels as i havent had enough M/c yet.

This seems a bit insensitive, though I do understand that NHS funding is limited.

I hope you are able to get tested and put your mind at rest.

Kira000

avogadro wrote: »

This seems a bit insensitive, though I do understand that NHS funding is limited.

I hope you are able to get tested and put your mind at rest.

Thank you Avogadro. I understand the funding issue, but yes, a minimum of 3 is required in order for them to do anything. It IS insensitive and crazy, as if it IS a progesterone issue, then three perfectly viable pregnancies could be saved by some topically applied cream...:mad:

barbiedoll

avogadro wrote: »

This seems a bit insensitive, though I do understand that NHS funding is limited.

I hope you are able to get tested and put your mind at rest.

Sadly, most hospitals will only investigate hormone levels and the like if you have had 3 or more miscarriages or if you can't conceive "naturally" at all.

I would personally be wary of any type of "holistic" place, they tend to offer expensive treatments which are based on pseudoscientific ideas such as homeopathy etc, which has no evidence-based proof of success in cases where hormone deficiency has been diagnosed. (Don't all rush to defend homeopathy, we're not talking dogs and horses here, we're talking about a possible medical condition.)

If you google "private healthcare hormone tests" you will see there are lots of private clinics which offer hormone tests.

Be aware and be sceptical, private healthcare companies can have a tendency to tell you what you want to hear. Get the tests, get the results and then you can go back to your GP and ask for a referral if you think that there is a problem.

Sorry to hear about your m/c, I know it can be devastating, especially if you think that there may be a reason but no-one will listen to you. Good luck, and do let us know how you get on.

System

barbiedoll wrote: »

Sadly, most hospitals will only investigate hormone levels and the like if you have had 3 or more miscarriages or if you can't conceive "naturally" at all.

I wonder if in that case a private obs/gynaecologist appointment would help the OP? Many NHS consultants do private work on top of their NHS work. That way you have their expertise but without some of the restrictions regarding treatments and tests.

I don't know if 'hybrid' care is possible (for example, getting the tests done privately and then returnng to your NHS GP with the results).

barbiedoll

avogadro wrote: »

I wonder if in that case a private obs/gynaecologist appointment would help the OP? Many NHS consultants do private work on top of their NHS work. That way you have their expertise but without some of the restrictions regarding treatments and tests.

I don't know if 'hybrid' care is possible (for example, getting the tests done privately and then returnng to your NHS GP with the results).

This is an excellent idea, most hospital consultants do private work (I know that ours does), you could call the hospital, ask for his/her secretary and inquire from there.

"Hybrid" care certainly is possible, I have seen women who have had private IVF (for example) and have gone on to have their antenatal care and birth within the NHS, all via the same consultant/department.

sweaty_betty

Where abouts are you OP? I've heard of a dr who is supposed to be excellent (based in north west) - my friend went to him after losing a pregnancy, not necessarily progesterone-related but he prescribed her it just in case. I don't think the tests are cheap at all, but it might either put your mind at ease or identify something that can be addressed sooner rather than later.