There are medical tests and procedures that can be done in order to track your health and general overall well being. This information can be useful and beneficial not just for post tubal women but for all women.

Regarding the issue of these tests for post tubal women who are experiencing negative health changes, and in the words of Dr. Hufnagel:

"This (protocol) is a first step if you are experiencing problems after your tubal ligation. I have been gathering clinical data for over 20 years and nothing is chance, or in your mind. The problems women have are based on anatomical and physical changes that occur from the tubal ligation.  The gynecological community has with intent denied these problems in order not to expose themselves to the intentional fraud and misrepresentations they have imposed on hundreds of thousands of women.  From a legal point of view I believe these negatively impacted women are victims of assault and battery. You need to demand and get a proper work up."
Dr. Vicki Hufnagel, MD, 1999. 

It has been noted that the medical community has met the suggestion of hormone testing for post tubal women with health problems and possible hormone problems with disallowance. The following blood tests and non invasive procedures are routinely ordered and done for women all the time. If you have a condition that merits the testing and merits the procedure you shouldn't be denied the following tests if you request them.

Explain your condition. List your symptoms. Explain your concerns. We suggest that you FAX a letter with your symptoms and concerns to your doctor prior to your visit. You may even want to request that the tests be ran before your office visit.

If your doctor suggests or proposes that you forgo hormone testing or any of the tests that you request ask the doctor to explain his/her reasoning for forgoing the tests. If the doctor suggests starting hormones (or the pill - not for birth control but to regulate your periods) with out first hormone testing then you should DEMAND that these tests be done first.

The following medical protocol(s) have been formatted and designed for all post tubal and all pre tubal women (women about to have a tubal ligation). These protocols are to ensure for their overall health and well being.

STEP ONE -  BLOOD TESTS AND HORMONE LEVELS

These tests should be done for post tubal women experiencing negative health changes following a tubal.

It is possible that some post tubal women may be experiencing a hormone imbalance (estrogen,  progesterone, or testosterone deficiency) without even realizing it. For that reason ALL post tubal women should be able to request and have ordered the following blood work and base line bone scans.

Lastly, the informed consent to a tubal ligation should include that women be allowed to record their base line hormone levels and have a base line bone scan done.  For that reason this protocol also applies to women who have not yet had a tubal but are in the process of making that decision. All women considering a TL should be offered and allowed to have these tests. 

The following blood tests will help to determine if you have a thyroid condition, if your ovaries are functioning and at what level, or if you need further testing to check for an auto autoimmune disorder.  If you are not experiencing problems or all the tests come back in the normal range  then these levels will then give you a base line for future reference.    

*Estrogen or Estradiol - test (E2) - Recommend to be done for any abnormal menstrual periods

*Progesterone (serum)

*SHBG - Sex hormone-binding globulin. High SHBG levels plays a possible role in the the development of endometriosis. Click here for more information.  This test is key to reading other hormone levels and must be included in your overall blood testing panel. 

*Testosterone

LH - Luteinizing hormone

*FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone

inhibin-a and inhibin-b

Progesterone (serum)

DHEA-sulfate - Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

Cortisol  - Cortisol level

Prolactin - (PRL)

Insulin

TSH - thyrotropin; thyroid stimulating hormone

Note:  The above tests is the protocol for serum (blood) tests levels (not 'saliva').   Other tests include...

iron levels - for anima or too much iron

*Total Cholesterol  -  (Total cholesterol, HDL and LDL)

If called for a CA-125 blood test (cancer test- if symptoms merit the test)

Ep-CAM - a protein is also being investigated as a cancer marker.

Other tests that are non invasive:
The following tests can also give much further information about your health and health condition:

A pelvic ultrasound

Pelvic MRI or MRA

Base Line Bone Scan

Mammogram - If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should begin getting regular mammograms in your 30s or earlier, based on your doctor's advice. Standard is to start regular mammograms at age 40. If you are post tubal, on HRT (or the pill), or have been suggested HRT (or the pill) you may want to have your 1st mammogram at this time.

Lastly, and only as a last option and only if called for should a doctor suggest surgical intervention.  (This would include D&C)   Surgical intervention should never be done before non-invasive tests have been ran and all things ruled out.