Chart Interpretation

jez838

Hi All, Would anyone know how to tell if I have ovulated. I am getting my LH surge but my temps are erratic.

I've attached three of my charts. I think I only ovulated in October. Not september or February.

I am seeing a specialist about this next week as I have high prolactin levels but I was curious to know if I am ovulating or not.:o

DetectivFoxtrot

Hi there

I think you ovulated in Feb '11 and Oct '10.

Make sure you take your temps at the exact same time each day and as soon as you wake. May be no harm to change your thermometer, just in case something is wrong with it resulting in erratic temps. Also, I'd suggest temping vaginally if you are not doing so already, I have found the reading to be much more accurate. Many people sleep with their mouth open and that can affect basal temps.

good luck to you

Disambiguation

Yeah, I agree. It looks like you did ovulate in Oct then also Feb.

Why don't you nip down to your GP on CD3 and again on CD21 or 7 days after you think you ovulated to get your bloods taken. That will tell you if you are ovulating. You might even be able to squeeze in your 7DPO test before your consultation, if you wanted to have your progesterone levels to hand at that meeting.
A level > or = to 30 is proof of strong ovulation.

Bloodwork is free; you will just pay for the nurse/gp visit.

jez838

Hi Guys,

Thanks for looking at these. I had my bloodwork done and the doctors are thinking PCOS or Prolactinoma. The charts would fit wit the PCOS diagnosis irregular ovulation.

I'm getting more tests done on this.

Thanks for your replies! Sending you both good Karma

Skadi

I would say that you ovulated on the February and September one. My periods are irregular and I worked out what my temp post ovulation was so if I had more than two days at or above that temp then I figured I had ovulated and worked out when my period would be due.

Neyite

Jez,
I have a prolactinoma, and while my opk didnt show a positive last august, sept and oct, the bloodwork did show that I ovulated. I dont chart so I dont really know much about that to help you.

jez838

Hi All,

Neyite thanks for your advice;). I saw the specialist and because I don't have prolactinoma symptoms they are checking for PCOS which can also cause my high prolactin levels.
I have taken a second blood test and will be going back to the hospital at the end of March 11. Hopefully they can sort something.

If you ovulate how does the Prolactinoma stop you conceiving?

I've started the PCOS diet/exercise program and already lost 5% of my weight.

I'm hopeful this month because my temps have taken a second rise at 6DPO. My Highest BBT since tracking my temps was 36.2 but I have just reached 36.3. I've attached the chart if anyone wants to take a look. Trying not to be too hopeful though. Hate the two week wait. :rolleyes:

Disambiguation

jez838 wrote: »

Hi All,

Neyite thanks for your advice;). I saw the specialist and because I don't have prolactinoma symptoms they are checking for PCOS which can also cause my high prolactin levels.
I have taken a second blood test and will be going back to the hospital at the end of March 11. Hopefully they can sort something.

If you ovulate how does the Prolactinoma stop you conceiving?

I've started the PCOS diet/exercise program and already lost 5% of my weight.

I'm hopeful this month because my temps have taken a second rise at 6DPO. My Highest BBT since tracking my temps was 36.2 but I have just reached 36.3. I've attached the chart if anyone wants to take a look. Trying not to be too hopeful though. Hate the two week wait. :rolleyes:

Well done for your weight loss!

I think once you have confirmed ovulation and hit the two week wait all charts look the same (with or without the possible implantation dip) until they show a pregnancy or not. Try not to over-analyse them, you will drive yourself batty. Or if you do, know that it is a bit of fun and you are not out of the game until the fat lady sings.

As far as the role of prolactin in preventing pregnancy. It can be a red herring in many situations but if the levels are high enough essentially your body is fooled into thinking you are post partum and lactating. So for the science bit; excessive prolactin levels will tend to suppress the ovulation by inhibiting the secretion of both FSH and GnRH. In real terms, it is mother natures contraceptive for a nursing mommy.

Did anybody rule out galactorrhea in your case - if you are suffering with nipple discharge then this might also be an issue but again this is attributed to thyroid and hormonal problems. (Edit: now that I think of it, I think that excessive nipple stimulation can be a 'cause' too so tell him to keep his hands off the merchandise ;-) ha ha )

I hope it doesn't come back as PCOS for you - but if it does it, you will have an answer and you can figure out a treatment plan.

Good luck

Neyite

jez838 wrote: »

Hi All,

Neyite thanks for your advice;). I saw the specialist and because I don't have prolactinoma symptoms they are checking for PCOS which can also cause my high prolactin levels.
I have taken a second blood test and will be going back to the hospital at the end of March 11. Hopefully they can sort something.

If you ovulate how does the Prolactinoma stop you conceiving?

I've started the PCOS diet/exercise program and already lost 5% of my weight.

Jez, high prolactin can cause ovulation to stop, but in my case, I was ovulating, as I had pain during ovulation and bloodwork confirmed it. Prolactin can also negatively affect the progesterone surge after ovulation that helps the pregnancy implant properly. If your prolactin is high and your progesterone is lower than it should on your day 21 bloods, then they will start to consider pcos. My progesterone levels were in the normal range so they ruled it out I think.

My prolactin levels didnt always tally with symptoms - ones I should have had, I didnt, and others that I did have were rarely mentioned in the information I read on varied websites. Some bloods came back almost normal, only to rocket up again afterwards.

The only thing that can rule out a prolactinoma is an MRI or CT scan. I was sent for one after my first appointment with the fertility specialist - I had it the week later, and also had a HSG.

But, on the meds since november, and the last couple of bloods are coming back normal. Seeing the Endocrinologist at the end of the month so hopefully it will help me get pregnant.

I have a more detailed thread on my experience with prolactin to date elsewhere.

jez838

:DThanks for the advice guys.

Disambiguation - They ruled out galactorrhea as I don't have the discharge. You're so right about over-analysing my charts. I went back down to 36.2 the next day and was upset. I've just one week to go so I'll try to ignore it. AF is due Patricks day.

Neyite - Yes I was on the Prolactinoma thread and there was good information. I've just had my day 21 blood taken yesterday so hopefully that will come back okay. I agree about the symptoms. They asked if I had headaches or blurred vision and I said yes not very frequently though. but because I work with a computer all day they pinned it to that. If my blood comes back okay I'm going to demand a scan.

jez838

Good Luck to all!

Skadi

jez838. Good luck with the diet.

I tried for years to become pregnant and in the end I decided to follow a strict PCOS diet. My hormones were always all over the place with sometimes them being high and other times low. When I had periods I wasn't ovulating and was lucky if I got more than four a year.

After being on that strict PCOS diet for about 6 months I started getting periods every 2 mths and within a year had got pregnant. (Sadly I lost that baby late in the pregnancy, but currently nearly 27wks pregnant now).

I really believe that a lot of the food we eat (especially processed foods) plays havoc with our hormones. Good luck with TTC.

jez838

Thanks for the encouragement Skadi the diet is really helping with other issues like weight loss and energy levels so here's hoping I get a BFP this year.

Sorry to hear about your loss. Congrats with the second pregnancy. Hope all goes well.

DetectivFoxtrot

well you're chart definitely indicates ovulation - day 18 or 19.