Preconception Lab Testing to Optimize Health of Pregnancy

If you hope and plan to get pregnant soon, it is a good idea to get preconception bloodwork done. It can take at least 3 months to improve egg and sperm health or any abnormal values in your blood work. The basic testing to request from your practitioner include:

Full thyroid panel-TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies such as Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO) and Anti-thyroglobulin to check for the autoimmune disease, hashimotos

CBC– white blood cell count and checks for anemia

CMP– blood sugar and liver panel

HbA1C and fasting insulin– blood sugar status

Iron and ferritin

Homocysteine-an amino acid involved in the risk of placenta-mediated complications, including preeclampsia, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and pregnancy loss

Vitamin B12

Vitamin D – critical for immune status

HsCRP– checks for inflammation

Lipid panel- cholesterol is required for hormone production. Shows levels of good and bad cholesterol

Estradiol, FSH, LH, DHEA, and Testosterone-drawn on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th day of your cycle. Gives an insight to your fertility status.

From the Unique Footprints editorial team and Jenny Morrow, founder of Unique Footprints. Unique Footprints follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources from ACOG, the American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, the U.S. Surgeon Guidelines and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The UF TEAM also thoroughly researches peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Unique Footprints is endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.