Endocrinology at Boston IVF

The endocrinology teams at Boston IVF in New England and New York play a crucial role in the fertility treatment process, operating behind the scenes in the endocrinology lab to perform essential hormone tests. These tests provide critical insights into a patient’s reproductive health, helping to identify potential challenges and guide the course of treatment. By analyzing hormone levels such as estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone, the team ensures that the fertility process is supported by accurate, timely data.

Working in the lab, the endocrinology team conducts detailed evaluations of blood samples, measuring key hormonal markers that indicate ovarian response, egg development, and readiness for procedures like ovulation induction or embryo transfer. Their meticulous work allows the clinical team to track the subtle hormonal changes that are integral to every stage of the treatment cycle. Their contributions ensure the precision and success of each step, from medication adjustments to timing the egg retrieval process.

Though their work is often unseen, the endocrinology team’s role is invaluable to the overall success of fertility care. Their dedication and expertise provide the foundation for personalized treatment plans, supporting patients as they navigate their journey toward parenthood. Each hormone test they perform and analyze is a vital piece of the puzzle, ensuring that every decision made is backed by the highest level of scientific accuracy.

Blood sampling is an important part of diagnostic testing to determine the cause of infertility, as well as testing for any diseases that could complicate fertility treatment or pregnancy. Here are some other common blood tests processed in our endocrinology lab that may be drawn based on your individual history:

✓ Prolactin: When prolactin levels are abnormal, it can indicate an issue in the pituitary gland which can disrupt overall fertility

✓ Insulin and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): If insulin or HbA1c levels are abnormal, it could be related to a metabolic problem such as diabetes. These can also be elevated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

✓ Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): When TSH levels are abnormal, it can indicate an issue in the thyroid which can impair fertility

✓ Testosterone: In patients with ovaries, elevated testosterone levels may indicate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other issues

✓ Infectious disease: Testing for certain communicable diseases, including STIs , is a standard part of our patient intake for both male and female partners. We may conduct blood testing for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, rubella, and chickenpox.

✓ Genetic screenings: All new patients who are intended biological parents have blood test screening offered for multiple inheritable genetic conditions, regardless of sex.

✓ Blood typing: We test your blood to determine the type and RH factor (whether you are a positive or negative blood type

What is the in-office blood pregnancy test?

About 10-14 days after an ovulation induction cycle, IUI procedure, or embryo transfer, you’ll have a blood draw at one of our locations to see if you’re pregnant.

A blood pregnancy test assesses the level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This is a hormone that the body produces during pregnancy, and its presence typically indicates that you are pregnant. If you have a positive result, you may come back on subsequent days to confirm that your hCG level is rising appropriately. The hCG value and rate of rise can provide information as to your pregnancy’s viability.

HCG is the same hormone that a urine pregnancy test from the pharmacy looks at, but our blood test is more sensitive and can detect pregnancy sooner.