In this episode, hosts Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas speak with Richard Kellner, founder of the Polycystic Kidney Disease-Free Alliance, and Natasha Regina, the organization’s chief spokesperson. Together, they discuss polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and how pre-implantation genetic testing-monogenic (PGT-M) can help families prevent passing this genetic condition to their children. Natasha, who has PKD herself, shares her personal decision to pursue IVF with PGT-M to ensure her children would not inherit the disease. PKD is a progressive condition that typically leads to kidney failure by midlife, often requiring dialysis or a transplant. Because many insurers do not cover genetic testing, the PKD-Free Alliance offers grants to help families access PGT-M to prevent passing the trait to their children. The PKD-Free Alliance’s goal is to raise awareness and let couples know this option exists. This insightful conversation explores genetic inheritance, reproductive choices, and the future of PKD prevention, offering hope to families facing this challenging condition.

What are the must-have tests when trying to figure out infertility? In this episode of Fertility Docs Uncensored, we’re joined by Anate Brauer, MD, a physician at RMA New York, to break it all down with our trio of fertility gurus—Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. Together, they dive into the top 4 tests you shouldn’t skip when facing infertility. We’re talking AMH (antimullerian hormone) to evaluate egg quantity. They discuss egg quantity vs. quality (yes, there’s a difference!), why age really does matter (ugh, we know), and what tests like TSH, FSH, and estrogen levels can tell us. They get into the nitty-gritty of semen analysis—because guys, you’re half the equation—and the dynamic duo of uterine evaluations: HSG and saline sonogram to check for polyps, fibroids, and make sure your fallopian tubes are open. And just when you thought we were done, we throw in a little genetic twist with carrier screening, explaining why matching mutations isn’t as romantic as it sounds. Whether you’re just starting your fertility journey or deep in the diagnostic weeds, this episode is packed with laughs, knowledge, and more than a few “aha!” moments. Don’t miss it!

Join hosts Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas as they dive into the role of three key hormones in pregnancy: thyroid hormone, prolactin, and insulin. In this episode, we discuss the thyroid’s function and why it’s problematic if it works too fast or slow. We explore common thyroid tests, how thyroid issues can impact pregnancy, and their connection to prolactin levels. We also break down prolactin’s role, what affects its levels. We discuss the difference between a micro- and macro-adenoma and treatment for both. Additionally, we touch on galactorrhea, a condition causing unexpected breast discharge, and the importance of discussing it with your doctor. We then shift to insulin and its link to diabetes. We explain type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune condition) and type 2 diabetes (where insulin doesn’t work effectively), along with the importance of hemoglobin A1C testing. Maintaining proper blood sugar levels before pregnancy is crucial, as poorly controlled diabetes can lead to birth defects, pregnancy complications, and delivery risks. Tune in for expert insights on optimizing hormonal health for pregnancy.

This episode was brought to you from ReceptivaDx and RMA of New York.