The best time to optimize your health for pregnancy is before you conceive. Preconception testing helps identify and address issues that could 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 (optimal <2.5 for pregnancy)
- Free T4, Free T3
- Thyroid antibodies
Nutrients
- Vitamin D (aim for 40-60 ng/mL)
- Vitamin B12 (optimal >500 pg/mL)
- Folate (or MTHFR testing)
- Ferritin (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.
- Dean, S. V., et al. (2014). Preconception care: nutritional risks and interventions. PLoS Medicine, 11(3), e1001607.
