Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (CCCT)
When you choose to pursue fertility treatments, it often involves a lot of patience, time, and effort. It can take a long time and a variety of different treatments before you finally become pregnant. You may also have to undergo a number of different tests in order to determine the cause of you infertility. The Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (CCCT) is designed to help determine whether or not you have a good ovarian reserve. Ovarian reserve is often a factor in female fertility.
What is the Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test(CCCT)?
The clomiphene citrate challenge test is a blood test used to help find out whether your ovarian reserve is in any way compromised. Ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs you have available for fertilization and the quality of your eggs. A good ovarian reserve is an important part of becoming pregnant. The CCCT measures ovarian reserve by checking levels of important hormones in the body, including those present after taking a cycle of clomiphene.
- What is Clomiphene?
- In order to complete the CCCT, you will need to take clomiphene for a period of five days. Clomiphene is a fertility drug that is used to induce ovulation. It is often used to encourage your ovaries to release more than one egg every cycle. As a result, it increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Because hormone levels change after taking clomiphene, this drug is used in order to measure your overall ovarian reserve.
What Hormones does the Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test Measure?
The CCCT measures various hormones involved in the ovulation process, including:
- FSH, or follicle stimulating hormone
- LH, or luteinizing hormone
- Estradiol
Who Can Benefit from the Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test?
Certain markers are used to determine when the CCCT test is required. These factors include:
Women over the age of 38 are also routinely given the CCCT when they begin fertility treatments.
The CCCT Procedure
The CCCT procedure can be time-consuming. It must be performed over a period of several days and thus requires a number of separate appointments with your reproductive endocrinologist. Generally speaking, the procedure is as follows.
- On Day 1 of your menstrual period, call your fertility clinic and set up an appointment.
- On Day 3 of your menstrual period, you will be given a blood test to measure your FSH, LH, and Estradiol levels.
- On Day 5 of your period, you will be given a 5-day supply of clomiphene citrate. You need to take 100 mg of clomiphene each day for five days.
On Day 10 of your cycle, you will return to your clinic for another FSH, LH, and Estradiol blood test.
The CCCT Results
Results from the CCCT should only take a day or two. Your reproductive endocrinologist will discuss them with you and your partner.
Normal Results: Normal results include low FSH values on both Day 3 and Day 10, and low estradiol values on Day 3.
Abnormal Results: A CCCT may be abnormal if your FSH values are elevated above normal values.
After the CCCT Test
If you do have abnormal results from your CCCT it is recommended that you perform the test again, just to be sure. Once you are sure of your results, then you can begin to plan for the future.
Unfortunately, abnormal CCCT values are strongly linked with IVF failure and more than 90% of women with abnormal values ever become pregnant. There are some alternatives which may increase your chances of conceiving, including:
- loosing weight
- quitting smoking
- trying an egg donor
Getting Pregnant
