Memorial Medical Center-San Augustine Laboratory Now Offering Tests for Fertility

Fertility and hormonal testing are commonly performed to understand infertility, general men’s health and much more.  Memorial Medical Center—San Augustine’s Outpatient Lab and Express Lab is now offering these tests, which include Testosterone, Progesterone, Estradiol, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulation Hormone (FSH) testing to its menu of tests.  These tests screen for hormone imbalance, general men’s health, fertility and pre and post menopause.  Results from these tests are available the same day they are performed.
  
“These tests are being ordered more frequently,” said Wendy Tylich, Lab Supervisor at Memorial Medical Center – San Augustine.  “In the case of infertility, there are women who are trying to get pregnant or are at high risk who will benefit from same day results so their physician can assess and treat them faster.” 

While the new tests being offered are all closely related and many times ordered together, they can be used to monitor different functions.  The testosterone test can be used to detect a low sperm count in men which could lead to difficulties of fathering a child.    This test can also determine the cause of sexual problems in men.  In females, testosterone testing may be performed when a woman has irregular or no menstrual periods, is having difficulty getting pregnant or appears to have masculine features. 

Progesterone testing is usually ordered as part of infertility assessment in women.  Progesterone can be measured to determine whether or not a woman has ovulated, to determine when ovulation occurred, and to monitor the success of induced ovulation.  This test may also be ordered to monitor a high risk pregnancy to help evaluate placenta and fetal health.

Estradiol is a test that measures the amount of hormone called estradiol in the blood.  Estradiol is the most important form of estrogen in the body.  This test can be ordered when a woman is experiencing symptoms of menopause.  When a woman is taking hormone replacement, a doctor may periodically order this test to monitor treatment.  When a woman is experiencing fertility problems, a doctor may use this measurement over the course of the menstrual cycle to monitor certain developments prior to in vitro fertilization techniques. 

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels are useful in the investigation of menstrual irregularities and to aid in the diagnosis of pituitary disorders or diseases involving the ovaries or testes.  This test is usually ordered as part of the workup for infertility.  It can also be ordered when a woman is having irregular menstrual periods, especially at the beginning of menopause.  In women, LH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and egg production.  In men, this hormone stimulates the production of testosterone.  This test can help find the cause of a couple’s inability to become pregnant.  The test can also monitor a women’s response to medicines given to stimulate ovulation.

Follicle-Stimulation Hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland.  In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs.  In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm.  This test is frequently used in determining infertility.  This test can be used to help detect if a woman has entered menopause.

All five of these tests are often ordered together in a workup for infertility in both men and women.  As testing for infertility grows, Memorial Medical Center—San Augustine wants to offer the community the opportunity to have this testing performed at home.  These simple blood tests are offered at a discounted rate through Express Lab and do not need a physician’s order.   

“I had someone tell me that she was going to have to go to Houston to have these tests done so her doctor could receive the results same day because she is going to start in vitro fertilization,” explained Ms. Tylich.  “So, I called many of the hospitals around us and no one offered these tests with same day results.  We decided that our lab and the Express Lab could do these tests so those in our area would not have to drive to Houston in these situations.”

Previously when these tests were ordered there was a 2 to 3 day wait for results.  Now, results are returned within 24 hours.  This will help physicians diagnose general disorders while monitoring those patients experiencing high risk pregnancies or fertility treatments. 

The Memorial Medical Center—San Augustine Express Lab is open Monday thru Friday 8:30am – Noon and 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm.  The Outpatient Lab is open Monday thru Friday 7:30 am – 5 pm. For more information and to see other tests offered by Express Lab visit https://www.memorialhealth.org or call 936-275-3446 Ext. 230.

Cutline:  The Laboratory at Memorial Medical Center – San Augustine is adding Testosterone, Progesterone, Estradiol, LH and FSH testing to their menu of tests.  These tests are for hormone imbalance, men’s health, fertility and pre and post menopause.  Wendy Tylich, Lab Supervisor at Memorial Medical Center – San Augustine, explains that the new tests are done by an easy blood draw.  Results from the tests will be available on the same day they are performed.