At home Male Fertility Test

[Margaret]

Hello again...I am just full of questions today.

Since Boyce's bi-lateral RPLND, I have been so curious about his fertility. I think to some degress I was just expecting him to have retro-grade so I figured a child was out of the question for us. Well surprise, no retro-grade! I could not bear the thought of asking him to make yet another dr's appt to get poked and tested so my friend told me they make an "At home male fertility test". It works similar to a woman's pregnancy test.

I have no idea how accurate this thing will be but I went to the drug store and they carried it. I bought it, it came with 2 tests per box and it was $39.99.

I know a few men here have expressed concern over their sperm count post chemo and RPLND and maybe they would like to know that this test is out there. Of course you could always go to your doctor for a full test which I am sure provides more detail.

Has anyone used this sort of test before and if so, pro's and con's? I am sure Boyce is embarrassed about me sharing this with you guys...but I hope not...we are all kinda in the same boat .

I am excited to make him my science experiment! At the very least, this should prove to be rather amusing for both of us. The most important thing to me is that he is getting healthy....the test will take our curiousity away but regardless of the result...it is not life or death.

[dadmo]

Well this is a new one on me. Let me know how he does.
Who would ever dream we would talk about our kids like this. Retro, at home sperm analysis, what did your testicles feel like, the one you have how does that feel. I know this wasn't ment to bring a smile to my face but I have to post a picture of Jason on a bear skin rug, just to complete the humiliation.

[Margaret]

Actually I was laughing a bit when was typing this. Gotta laugh about it sometimes I guess. I think if we all met for dinner one night, I would never have the guts to tell you all about my at home fertility kit!

[Fed]

This is indeed kind of amusing. I've never heard of a kit of that sort, and I would actually be somewhat skeptical. From what I understand, fertility is measured in the lab depends on sperm count and motility, which are things that you can only measure by looking at a specimen through the microscope.

A pregnancy test measures, of all things, beta-HCG by a colorimetric assay ("see the band appear before your eyes"). Sperm count could possibly be measured by a similar assay, perhaps using a different marker; but I don't see how one could measure motility without actually looking at the swimmers.

Do let us know how it goes, though. Science experiments are fun !

[Margaret]

Fed, I gotta agree with you...I am skeptical too.

Here is the link to the product I purchased:

http://store01.prostores.com/servlet/lakeconsumer/Detail?no=1

[Fed]

Margaret,
I checked out the link you sent, and all I could dig out is that indeed it measures quantity; however, like with almost everything, quality is more important. You can have a gazillion swimmers, but if they are not swimming, then they are pretty much useless.
Did he bank sperm? I'm just asking this because if he did, they usually test for viability before freezing them down. Of course, my guess is that if he did, it probably was before treatment, so the data is unlikely to correlate pre- and post-Tx.

[Margaret]

Margaret,
I checked out the link you sent, and all I could dig out is that indeed it measures quantity; however, like with almost everything, quality is more important. You can have a gazillion swimmers, but if they are not swimming, then they are pretty much useless.
Did he bank sperm? I'm just asking this because if he did, they usually test for viability before freezing them down. Of course, my guess is that if he did, it probably was before treatment, so the data is unlikely to correlate pre- and post-Tx.

We did not bank...no time before chemo.

[dadmo]

Margaret:
Remember banking is just a precaution, infertility is not a given.

[Fed]

Dadmo is right. You won't know until it's tested, since banking is, as he said, insurance. I am unsure of the reliability of the "at home" test, but hey, it's worth a try. I would confirm with an actual lab exam though. An actual lab analysis will run you about $125 or so (that's how much it costs at the place where I banked).

[dadmo]

Margaret:
Nancy and I had a bit of a laugh talking about this thread but then it lead to some serious discussion. We pay $900 a year for the storage of Jason's sperm and we don't know if it's necessary. We thought about the home kit and then decided that no matter what that showed or even what a full lab found we would keep as insurance his frozen sperm. Just incase he get TCx2. What I was wonder is if it might be a good idea for your son to get tested and if he is fertile put some in the bank just in case.

[Mom]

Bill, I have it on good authority that if Jason is producing sperm, even in small quantities, the fertility doctors (if he needs one) will prefer to use fresh sperm than banked sperm. As of October 2006, 1 1/2 yrs post chemo, Jeff had regained 13 million sperm but a lot weren't swimming. The fertility specialist however felt that it was not a good idea to wait any longer for a full count (20 million swimmers) because of his wife's age so they decided to do IVF last October. They looked at his banked sperm and fresh sperm and they used fresh sperm. The egg retrieval was great and the fertilization was great but the transfer wasn't. It was very emotional and stressful. It boiled down to "don't ask." We didn't. We got the news 12 weeks ago (they count by weeks now, 40 of them!) that we are "expecting to be Grandparents" in October!!! I am just now starting to believe it, and they are just now starting to believe it. They have passed the most critical period so they are allowing me to tell people! So, Margaret, don't give up. Bill and Nancy, if Jason is just producing a good few, that is all it takes. You will be grandparents too!! I have to tell you, though, I haven't stopped worrying since I found out!! It never ends. Dianne

[Fed]

That is wonderful news, Mom! My parents tell me that becoming grandparents is twice as nice. Many congratulations to you, Jeff, and your growing family!

[dadmo]

You guys must be thrilled. That really is grand mom.

[IowaBrian]

Don't use the take home test a number of things can show a false neg or under there 20 mil number better to have the lab do the test you can get a take home cup and bring it to the lab as long as you get it there in or around 30 minutes you just have to keep it warm. It was sort of funny the wife's OBGYN had a whole cabinet full of the made up test kits (paper bag, cup, instructions and Rx to get the test done) it is a lot cheaper and easier to have the male test done then the female!!!!!!!
If anyone wants more info on the testing and what they look for let me know.
Also the URO should be able to talk to you over the phone and let you know the results that way you don't have another DR visit.
URO or OBGYN are the ones that can really tell you if there is anything to worry about , I don't think the other DR see enough of these test to know when to worry since if they see anything on the lab sheet that says below normal they worry when there may be nothing to worry about at all.
Brian

[IowaBrian]

Great news MOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!