Question on CD 3 blood testing - timing?

[mayham]

Cross-posted in the Charting thread, but I thought I'd try here in case anyone else has any thoughts!

Earlier this month I talked to my obgyn about moving forward with testing, since we've been ttc since March. She gave the go ahead for CD 3 bloodwork if AF showed.

Unfortunately AF showed up tonight, and I'd count this as CD1 since it's bright red, but since it just started, it's not yet flowing. Would you count today as CD 1 (monday) and then that means I would go in for the bloodwork on Wednesday? I'd most likely only be able to make it there in the morning... so does it matter that I started AF Monday night and then would be going so early on Wednesday?

I had asked my doc about this since I normally start AF in the evenings. She said if it comes at 10pm, then it would still be CD1. I guess I'm just worried since I can only go Wednesday morning, and it doesn't seem like that's enough time in between, but technically it's still the right cycle day, right? I'm probably reading too much into this. Anyone have any clue if this really matters, or should I just chill?

[jennylou]

I have never heard that you have to have CD 3 testing done 72 hours after AF starts.

Count today as CD1 - any red flow should be counted as such.

Go Wednesday morning for the CD 3 testing.

Good luck. :)

[karlatta]

Go Wednesday morning. You'll be fine. FWIW, I have had my CD 3 bloodwork done on CD 2 a couple of times, and it's never messed anything up.

[Scooter]

I also had cd3 b/w done on cd2 before. It's not a big deal. Like jennylou said, it doesn't have to be a specific number of hours after AF starts.

CD1 should always be "the first day of full, red flow" according to every doctor I've been to. If it starts before you go to bed, then it's still CD1. (Actually, those cycles are nice because by the time you wake up you're already on cd2. Hey, anything to speed the process up when you've been waiting awhile, you know? ;))

And if you haven't already, you should check out the Still At It thread over in groups. There will probably be more people there who have experience with these types of questions than in the Charting thread. HTH. :)

[mayham]

jennylou - thanks for the reassurance and good wishes!

karlatta - thanks, it's good to know you've done this on CD2 and it didn't mess up the test. I think I just get paranoid when I think about things too much.

Scooter - thanks for your input, and the recommendation on that thread, I will definitely check it out!

Okay, I'm feeling a lot better now--you ladies are great--thanks again!!

[gymwidow]

I posted to you in the TTC thread, but just wanted to cross-post that it doesn't HAVE to be CD3. My doc told me that if I couldn't make it in on CD3 for some reason it'd be okay to come in on CD2 or CD4.

[CityGirl]

My doc told me that if I couldn't make it in on CD3 for some reason it'd be okay to come in on CD2 or CD4.

Mine too. In fact, the lab is closed on the weekends so coming in on CD 2 or 4 was pretty likely.

[mayham]

gymwidow & CityGirl - thanks, I'm glad I'm in the clear!