What lab levels are expected?

After 30 years as a reproductive specialist, I have noticed that we are not very educated about our bodies. Many women don’t understand their menstrual cycles at all. When trying to conceive, many women spend 6-9 months learning about their cycles in ways they never thought about. When you first go to a doctor, they are going to run tests to see your hormone levels during certain times of your cycle.

Each phase is characterized by specific hormonal changes. Understanding these phases and the associated hormone levels can help shed light on a woman’s reproductive health. Here’s brief break down of basic expected lab values for the different phases of the cycle.

Menstruation (Days 1-5):

• During menstruation, a woman has her period, which typically lasts for a few days.
• Hormones during this phase:
  • Estrogen: Lower levels, ranging from about 20 to 150 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).
  • Progesterone: Lower levels, often below 1 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL).
  • AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): Stable, within the range of approximately 0.7 to 3.7 ng/mL.
  • FSH: Lower levels, approximately 4-12 international units per liter (IU/L).

Follicular Phase (Days 6-14):

• In the follicular phase, the body prepares for ovulation, and a mature egg starts to develop.
• Hormones during this phase:
  • Estrogen: Increasing from low to higher levels, typically in the range of 30 to 400 pg/mL.
  • Progesterone: Low levels.
  • AMH: Stable, within the range of approximately 0.7 to 3.7 ng/mL.
  • FSH: Moderate levels, around 4-12 IU/L.

Ovulation (Around Day 14):

• Ovulation is the midpoint of the cycle when a mature egg is released from the ovary.
• Hormones during this phase:
  • Estrogen: Peaking, generally around 150 to 400 pg/mL.
  • Progesterone: Beginning to rise, often around 1-2 ng/mL.
  • AMH: Stable, within the range of approximately 0.7 to 3.7 ng/mL.
  • FSH: May start to decrease from the previous phase.
  • LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Surges to trigger ovulation.

Luteal Phase (Days 15-28):

• After ovulation, the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum, producing progesterone to prepare the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy.
• Hormones during this phase:
  • Estrogen: Decreasing from its peak in the previous phase, typically within 80 to 300 pg/mL.
  • Progesterone: Peaking, often in the range of 10-20 ng/mL or higher, and then decreasing if pregnancy does not occur.
  • AMH: Stable, within the range of approximately 0.7 to 3.7 ng/mL.
  • FSH: Lower levels, around 4-12 IU/L.

These are approximate reference ranges, and individual variations exist. Hormone levels can be influenced by various factors, including age, stress, health conditions, and medications. Assessing hormone levels and menstrual health helps specialists determine where you are in your cycle and how any imbalances can be overcome with ART (assisted reproductive therapy) or healing with holistic methods. Many successful cases have used both western help and holistic assistance to improve hormone levels and changes of pregnancy.

Be sure to discuss your results and get all your questions answered by all your physicians and therapists so you can make the best decisions forward. As a note, if you are trying to conceive, I do recommend shifting away from your regular OB sooner than later and get in with a reproductive endocrinologist early. The whole try a year first deal with your OB is NOT recommended in my clinic.

I also recommend getting into holistic methods first to prepare for trying to conceive and to help you with any ART you choose to undergo. It works better when you’re not throwing it in at the last minute on your last try, although, that does work. . . !! lol I find the folks who come get holistic help first, accomplish success sooner, with less tries, less money and less stress.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you start or grow your family. Enjoy my other blog series on this site.