What are cycle day 3 (CD 3) labs?
CD 3 labs measure the estradiol and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels in your blood to assess your ovarian reserve. Although not precise, they provide us with information regarding the likelihood that you will respond to treatment with fertility medications, should that be necessary. We like for the Day 3 FSH level to be less than 15 preferably less than 12. Similarly, we prefer for the Day 3 Estradiol level to be less than 65 preferably less than 50. Although high levels suggest that there are very few oocytes remaining in the ovary and that therefore the ovarian reserve is lower than it should be at any particular age, the converse is not true. In other words, while it is unfortunately possible for a 30 year old woman to have significantly diminished ovarian reserve, and therefore the prognosis for pregnancy of a significantly older woman, it is not possible for a 40 year old woman to have the ovarian reserve (and corresponding prognosis for pregnancy) of a 30 year old woman.
