The best time to optimize your health for pregnancy is before you conceive. Preconception testing can help identify and address issues that can affect fertility or pregnancy.
Why Preconception Testing Matters
- Identify nutritional deficiencies
- Optimize thyroid function
- Screen for infections
- Assess metabolic health
- Address hormonal imbalances
The Preconception Lab Panel
Thyroid
- TSH (may be optimal <2.5 for pregnancy)
- Free T4, Free T3
- Thyroid antibodies
Nutrients
- Vitamin D (may be optimal 40-60 ng/mL)
- Vitamin B12 (may be optimal >500 pg/mL)
- Folate (or MTHFR testing)
- Ferritin (may be optimal >50 ng/mL)
- Iron panel
Metabolic
- Fasting glucose and HbA1c
- Fasting insulin
- Lipid panel
Infections
- Rubella immunity
- Varicella immunity
- Hepatitis B
- HIV (recommended by ACOG)
Reproductive
- Blood type and Rh factor
- Genetic carrier screening (optional)
Optimizing Before Pregnancy
Address any deficiencies or imbalances before trying to conceive:
- Start prenatal vitamins 3 months before
- Optimize thyroid function
- Achieve healthy ferritin levels
- Stabilize blood sugar
- Manage any autoimmune conditions
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2019). ACOG Committee Opinion No. 762: Prepregnancy counseling. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 133(1), e78-e89. PMID 30575679
- Dean, S. V., et al. (2014). Preconception care: nutritional risks and interventions. Reproductive Health, 11(Suppl 3), S3. PMID 25415364
