Table 1:
Utility of various hormonal tests for primary infertility in the ovulatory
patient.
UTILITY |
TEST |
INDICATION |
HIGH
Utility |
Patient age |
Remains the best predictor
of success of pregnancy through natural conception or Assisted Reproductive Technologies |
Anti-Mullerian
Hormone |
The most reliable
screening test for poor ovarian response to ovarian stimulation |
|
LOW
Utility |
Early follicular FSH with
estradiol |
A specific but not
sensitive test of decreased ovarian reserve |
Urinary LH |
Useful if couple has
difficulty with timing or frequency of intercourse |
|
TSH |
To rule out subclinical
hypothyroidism |
|
Thyroid antibody testing:
If TSH mildly elevated |
To help determine whether
or not to initiate treatment in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism |
|
Mid-luteal progesterone |
Not necessary to
confirm ovulation if the patient reports a history of regular and predictable
menses |
|
NO
Utility |
Prolactin |
|
Inhibin B |
||
Estradiol alone |