A proactive, stepwise plan typically starts with fertility hormones (AMH, day-3 FSH/LH/E2, mid-luteal progesterone), TSH/prolactin, and male hormones when indicated. Add STI screening, immunity titers, and carrier tests as guided by your clinician. In pregnancy, use baseline prenatal panels, glucose testing (24–28 weeks), and third-trimester assessments based on risk. These labs support screening, diagnostic triage, and monitoring, but they do not replace a clinician’s exam, ultrasound, tubal imaging, semen analysis, fetal testing, or urgent care when warning signs appear.
Signs, Symptoms & Related Situations
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Fertility & cycle clues: irregular or absent periods, short/prolonged cycles, mid-cycle spotting, uncertainty about ovulation timing
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Androgen/PCOS features: acne, unwanted hair growth, scalp hair thinning, weight gain, insulin resistance
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Male sexual health: low libido, erectile difficulties, fewer morning erections, fatigue
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Thyroid/prolactin hints: heat/cold intolerance, hair loss, galactorrhea, palpitations
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Pregnancy care: anemia symptoms (fatigue, pallor), itching of palms/soles (bile acids), high blood-pressure symptoms, UTI symptoms
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Infection risk: new STI exposure, incomplete vaccination/immunity
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Seek urgent care now: severe pelvic or testicular pain, heavy bleeding, fever with pelvic pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache/vision changes, decreased fetal movement, or signs of ectopic pregnancy
All symptoms and risks should be evaluated by a qualified clinician.
Why These Tests Matter
What testing can do
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Confirm ovulation and estimate ovarian reserve to guide timing and planning
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Identify endocrine drivers of infertility (thyroid, prolactin, androgens/testosterone)
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Detect silent infections that affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes
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Establish baselines for pregnancy and monitor gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders
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Track trends to measure progress after lifestyle or clinical changes
What testing cannot do
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Guarantee pregnancy or replace imaging for uterine/tubal or testicular/vascular problems
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Diagnose endometriosis or tubal blockage from blood tests alone
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Replace partner testing; a semen analysis is essential in a couple’s evaluation
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Provide treatment or dosing advice—review results with your clinician
What These Tests Measure (at a glance)
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Female fertility
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Ovulation: Progesterone (mid-luteal)
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Ovarian reserve: AMH; day-3 FSH/LH/Estradiol
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Endocrine context: Prolactin, TSH ± Free T4
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PCOS profile (as indicated): Total/Free Testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, 17-Hydroxyprogesterone
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Male fertility (hormones)
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Preconception & sexual health
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STI screens: Chlamydia/Gonorrhea NAAT, Trichomonas NAAT, HIV 4th-gen, Syphilis, Hepatitis B/C
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Immunity titers: Rubella IgG, Varicella IgG (clinician-guided)
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Carrier tests (e.g., hemoglobinopathy, CFTR, SMA)—clinician-directed
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Prenatal care (stage-specific)
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Type & Screen (ABO/Rh) with Antibody Screen, CBC, Urine culture, iron studies for anemia
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Gestational diabetes: clinician-directed screening at 24–28 weeks; A1c may provide context but does not replace OGTT
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Preeclampsia/HELLP work-up: Platelets, AST/ALT, Creatinine, Urine protein/creatinine ratio (± LDH, Uric acid)
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Cholestasis (ICP): Total bile acids when itching persists
Note: Group B Strep (GBS) screening at 36–37 weeks is a swab done by your clinician (not a blood test).
Quick Build Guide
| Goal / Scenario |
Start with |
Add if needed |
| Preconception readiness |
Type & Screen (clinician-directed) • CBC • Ferritin/Iron • TSH • Rubella/Varicella IgG • STI screen |
A1c • Vitamin D • Lipids • Urine culture |
| Trying to conceive—baseline |
AMH • Day-3 FSH/LH/E2 • Mid-luteal Progesterone • TSH • Prolactin |
A1c • Lipids • CBC/CMP • Vitamin D |
| Irregular cycles/PCOS suspected |
TSH • Prolactin • AMH |
Total/Free T • DHEA-S • SHBG • 17-OH-Progesterone • A1c/Insulin • Lipids |
| Male evaluation (hormones) |
AM Total T • Free T/SHBG • LH/FSH • Prolactin |
Estradiol (sensitive) • A1c • Lipids |
| Early prenatal baseline |
Type & Screen • CBC • HIV • Syphilis • HBsAg • HCV Ab • Urine culture |
Rubella/Varicella IgG • TSH (if history) • A1c (context) |
| 24–28 week screen |
Clinician-directed gestational diabetes test |
CMP • A1c (context) |
| Preeclampsia concern |
Platelets • AST/ALT • Creatinine • Urine protein/Cr |
LDH • Uric acid |
| Itching in late pregnancy |
Total bile acids |
AST/ALT • Bilirubin |
How the Testing Process Works
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Choose your path: fertility hormones, male hormone panel, STI/preconception labs, or prenatal panels by trimester.
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Time it right: AMH any day; day-3 FSH/LH/E2 on cycle day 3; progesterone ~7 days before your next period; male hormones in the morning. Follow clinician timing for pregnancy labs.
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Prepare as directed: most tests don’t require fasting. Fast only for ordered fasting glucose/insulin or lipids. Avoid urinating ≥1 hour before a urine NAAT.
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Provide samples: standard blood draw; urine or swabs for NAATs; urine for protein/creatinine when requested.
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Review & act: results post to your secure account. Discuss with your clinician to align labs with ultrasound, imaging, semen analysis, and monitoring.
Interpreting Results (General Guidance)
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Progesterone pattern consistent with ovulation → confirms timing; consider repeating in variable cycles.
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AMH with day-3 FSH/E2 → estimates ovarian reserve and likely response to stimulation; not a monthly conception predictor.
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Elevated prolactin or abnormal TSH → can disrupt ovulation/sexual function; requires clinician evaluation.
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Androgen elevations with metabolic changes → support a PCOS pattern; diagnosis uses clinical criteria and sometimes ultrasound.
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Low morning testosterone (men) → repeat AM; interpret with LH/FSH; pair with semen analysis.
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Prenatal panels → low Hb/ferritin suggest iron deficiency; abnormal platelets, AST/ALT, creatinine, or urine protein/Cr raise concern for preeclampsia/HELLP; elevated bile acids suggest ICP.
Always interpret patterns with a qualified healthcare professional; trends and context matter more than a single value.
Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests
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Core fertility panel (female): AMH • Day-3 FSH/LH/E2 • Mid-luteal Progesterone • TSH • Prolactin
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PCOS/irregular cycle add-ons: Total/Free Testosterone • SHBG • DHEA-S • 17-OH-Progesterone • A1c/Insulin • Lipids
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Male hormone panel: AM Total T • Free T/SHBG • LH/FSH • Prolactin (semen analysis separate)
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Preconception screen: STI panel • CBC • Ferritin/Iron • TSH • Rubella/Varicella IgG
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Prenatal baselines: Type & Screen • CBC • HIV • Syphilis • HBsAg • HCV Ab • Urine culture
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Pregnancy add-ons: Gestational diabetes testing • Platelets/AST/ALT/Creatinine/Urine protein/Cr • Bile acids
Use bundled panels for efficiency, then add individual markers to answer specific questions and monitor progress.
FAQs
When should fertility testing start?
If you’re <35, after 12 months of trying; if ≥35, after 6 months; sooner for irregular cycles or known risks.
Do I need to fast?
Fast only if your order includes fasting glucose/insulin or lipids.
Does AMH predict my exact chance of pregnancy?
No. AMH estimates ovarian reserve and likely response to stimulation, not month-to-month chances.
Can blood tests diagnose blocked tubes or endometriosis?
No. Those require imaging and sometimes laparoscopy.
Do male hormone tests replace a semen analysis?
No. Semen analysis is essential in a couple’s work-up.
What labs check for preeclampsia?
Platelets, AST/ALT, creatinine, and urine protein/creatinine ratio—with blood pressure and symptoms.
Is GBS screening a blood test?
No. It’s a vaginal/rectal swab at 36–37 weeks, performed by your clinician.
Related Categories & Key Tests
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Pregnancy & Fertility Tests Hub
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Reproductive Hormone Tests (Pregnancy & Fertility) • Women’s Infertility Tests • Male Infertility Tests • Prenatal Health Tests • Pregnancy Third Trimester Tests • Infection STD Tests • Gestational Diabetes
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Key Tests: AMH • Day-3 FSH • LH • Estradiol • Mid-luteal Progesterone • Prolactin • TSH • Free T4 • Total Testosterone (AM) • Free Testosterone • SHBG • DHEA-S • 17-Hydroxyprogesterone • hCG (quant) • CBC • Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • HIV 4th-gen • Syphilis • Hepatitis B Surface Antigen • Hepatitis C Antibody • Chlamydia/Gonorrhea/Trichomonas NAAT • Rubella IgG • Varicella IgG • Type & Screen • Platelets • AST • ALT • Creatinine/eGFR • Urine Protein/Creatinine Ratio • Bile Acids • A1c • Fasting Glucose • Lipid Panel • CMP • Vitamin D
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — Infertility evaluation and prenatal screening guidance.
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) — Fertility evaluation; AMH and ovarian reserve guidance.
- Endocrine Society — PCOS and testosterone deficiency clinical practice guidelines.
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) — Hypertensive disorders, cholestasis, and gestational diabetes resources.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — STI screening in adults and pregnancy.
- American Diabetes Association — Standards of Care in Diabetes: Pregnancy.
- World Health Organization — Antenatal care recommendations.
- Clinical reviews on mid-luteal progesterone timing, hCG trends, and interpretation of day-3 FSH/E2.
Available Tests & Panels
Your All Pregnancy and Fertility Tests menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Start with a core fertility or prenatal panel based on your goal, then use filters to add PCOS/androgen markers, male hormone tests, STI/preconception labs, or pregnancy monitoring (glucose, preeclampsia, bile acids). Follow timing instructions and review results with your clinician to coordinate imaging, semen analysis, and next steps.
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