Tubal Patency/HCG test

[Craftymum]

I am hoping that there might be someone out there that could help me with info re the tubal patency/HCG test in terms of how much it costs?

I saw my ob/gyn back in May who said he would do a tubal patency whilst I was under for a laparoscapy but I really dont want to have the lap if it's not needed.

When I called up an u/sound place in Melbourne they said it was around $400, so I decided not to go ahead as I may aswell put the $400 towards the laparoscapy iykwim....

So, would appreciate any info from anyone who can shed some light?

[jasminbud]

Hello,

I had a tubal pregnany and I did an ultrasound and it confirmed it. I did several Blood tests too. My Gyno did a laporoscopy and took the tube out with the pregnany. I didn't have to pay anything since I went public. u better get it done before its too late. good luck

[KatiesMum]

Not sure how much they cost ....

but basically there are two ways for them to check your tubes

a) via a laparoscopy - is done under general anesthetic where they cut 3 or 4 key holes in your lower abdomen and insert cameras to 'look'. They put dye in yoru tubes and see how long it takes to get from your ovaries to your uterus, if there are any obstructions, sluggish, blockages etc. During a lap they will also check other things such as checking for endo (which can only be diagnosed via a lap) if they find it they will treat it while you are under, checking your uterus and lining and for other complications or reasons for infertility.

- a Hycosy - basically a papsmear type of situation where they inject a different dye vaginally and view the tubala patency via an ultrasound. It is done in the gyn's rooms and is substiantially less invasive. (As it doesnt involve admission to hospy or anaesth etc it is substantially cheaper) But isnt quite as effective in some areas as a lap.

Personally I had the lap... as I had fibroid cysts which needed to be removed so I needed the lap anyway. They found endo so they cleared that at the time. After 4 yrs of trying, I actually fell pregnant naturally with no drugs 3 months after the lap.

Given your prolonged spotting before af I would suggest you do as follows :
- next cycle have a follow up bt at 10 dpo and 12 dpo to check if your progesterone levels are being maintained enough to support a pregnancy.
- if prog is dropping, have some progesterone support with the following 2 cycles and if still not preg have the lap
- if prog levels are fine, have the lap.

In the mean time - if you book the lap now for a public hospy the waiting time varies but might be around the right time.....


Hope this helps
:hugs: + :flowerz:

[oursweetheart]

Hi Craftymum,

I have been stalking the TTC threads for many months now (I feel that I know everyone!!!) and have really appreciated reading the advice and support that others have offered. I have wanted to join but kept telling myself that this would be my lucky month and I wouldn't need too. It's now a year later and I am not pregnant but feel maybe I can offer some info.

I had a tubal patency test about 1 month ago through a private radiogropher and it cost about $460 of which I think we only got back about $180 through Medicare. Although the test did push us closer to the safety net limit and we have now reached it for 2008. The reason that I had the tubal patency scan done was because in an earleir pelvic ultrasound they discovered two endometriomas on my ovaries. These cysts are believed to indicate possible endometriosis (I am having a laparoscopy next week) which could then have caused scarring and blockages to my tubes.
The outcome of the tubal patency test was that the dye ran through freely and there is no scarring. I was told at the time that the test can also act as a bit of a "flushing" and can increase your chances of falling for the next few months. I found the whole process not too bad, although there was some cramping afterwards.

Now that I am going ahead and having the lap I guess the tubal scan could just have been done then but for us it was a case of ruling things out. It was good news to know that my tubes are clear.

I am now looking forward to becoming a more active part of bub hub. (posting isn't as hard as I thought!) Will hopefully be joining the TTC August after lap is done and cycles have worked themselves out.

Good luck and I hope that info helps :flowerz:

Please excuse me if I have made any mistakes - this is my first post!:yelclap: Yeah I finally did it!

[Craftymum]

Katiesmum/oursweetheart- Thanks, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post.

Katiesmum - Thanks so much for your advice. After talking to DH last night I decided to go down the path of some sort of monitored support. I dont think my GP will feel comfortable doing it although he might be ok with the BT's to check progesterone levels in the meantime, and my obgyn just wants me to have the lap so am going to book in to see an FS as soon as I can. I like the idea of getting some sort of help from someone that will look at everything for me, being temperatures, cervical mucas, ovulation tests, Blood tests etc and I really think a FS is the only one that will do it to that level. My GP looked at my charts and just said yep looks like you have the 'normal pattern' LOL, and as I said my obgyn just said lets do a lap, but I'm happy to have the lap done IF it leads to looking like endo or blocked tubes. So in the meantime I'm going to take your advice and investigate progesterone and the possibility of an FS. Thanks so much.

Oursweetheart - Goodluck with your lap next week. I'm sure you will be fine. Congratulations on joining BH too! You've made a great decision as the girls here are absolutely lovely and so supportive.