Consent Forms
Your health history
What is it?
We’ll first ask you to take a survey. It’s a lot like ones you’re probably used to doing when you go see a new doctor.
Why do we do it?
The questions we ask have been shown to predict fertility outcomes (when combined with objective testing) in several studies. The doctor who reviews your results will also use your health history to make personalized recommendations.
What are the risks?
We’re asking some very personal things… this is a fertility test, after all! If you feel uncomfortable, you can always skip a question you don’t want to answer (though your results may be less accurate). We also take your privacy seriously: We follow HIPAA guidelines and will always ask your permission to use your data in any way.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) blood test
What is it?
AMH is a hormone produced by follicles, the cells in the ovaries that eventually become eggs. You will be drawing a small amount of blood from your upper arm using a device called “TAP II”, manufactured by YourBio. This will be a relatively painless self-administered blood draw that will take no more than 10 minutes.
Why do we do it?
This test allows us to confirm that the follicles (sacs containing immature eggs on your ovaries) are emitting a healthy, normal amount of hormone. If the follicles are emitting too much or not enough hormone, this can be a fertility risk factor – especially when combined with a very low or high number of follicles, as assessed by the ultrasound. Turtle Health provides the context doctors need to interpret your results.
What are the risks?
Small volume blood collection is low risk. 100% of people in a validation study said that the pain from the device was 2 or less on a scale of 1-10 (Stanford Pain Scale). There is a small number of people (3%) who may need to redraw blood due to low blood volume collected. There is a very small but non-zero chance that you could experience infection or continued bleeding if the draw site is not properly sterilized or covered. The device also will leave a mark on your upper arm that typically heals within a few days. If you have a known clotting disorder, please let us know in the health intake form and we will contact you directly.
Semen testing
What is it?
You’ll provide us with a sample of your semen, produced via masturbation, and sent to the Cleveland Clinic in in the packaging we provide. They will test your sperm concentration, motility, total progressive motile count, and morphology using state of the art techniques in their CLIA-certified lab.
Why do we do it?
The more healthy sperm that can make it to the egg, the more likely you are to get pregnant! While the most common male fertility issue is low sperm count (concentration), sperm can also have trouble getting to the egg (motility), or not have the right shape to fertilize it (morphology). New research shows that total progressive motile count of less than 50M per sample can also be associated with reduced fertility. Low values in any of the three can cause difficulties conceiving – and there are different recommendations for each condition. We think it’s important to give you a complete understanding of your reproductive health.
What are the risks?
There is a small chance that your semen could get lost or misplaced during the testing process, but Turtle Health takes extensive precautions to prevent this. Accurate test results do require three days of abstinence prior to producing the sample (including from masturbation), which can be inconvenient for some men. To avoid contaminating the sample, the sample needs to be produced via masturbation and without artificial lubricant, so there is a small risk of chafing. Be careful!
Ultrasound
Review consent form for the SELF-GYN1 trial
Your report
What is it?
By purchasing a couple’s box, you now have the opportunity to see your combined fertility profile. Your report will provide guidance on your risks and the probability that couples like you will be able to meet your fertility goals. Our doctors will also offer suggestions personalized to your situation.
Why do we do it?
Most decisions to start a family include two people (at least!) It only makes sense that the information you use to plan your family includes you both as well. We’ve found that by looking at both halves of a couple at once we can make better recommendations faster then by testing them both separately.
What are the risks?
To create a joint report you need to consent to share the results of your testing and your health history with your partner (and vice versa). This information can be very personal, and we encourage you to think carefully before agreeing to share. If you wish to revoke your consent at any time, please reach out to us at support@turtlehealth.com The report we will send you is intended to describe if you and your partner may have conditions associated with a higher risk of having difficulty conceiving a child, but does not describe your ability to have or not have children. As human biology is varied, no test is 100% predictive of fertility.
A final thought
At Turtle Health, we are committed to delivering exceptional care. We pride ourselves on providing highly accurate and appropriate testing to help guide you through your fertility journey. All of our tests have been through rigorous validation studies and many Turtle Health employees are also customers. We believe we are providing the best at-home fertility testing that science can currently offer. Although these tests can provide great insight into your fertility, fertility is also one of the most diverse processes in the human body. No test is 100% predictive of whether you can or cannot get pregnant.
We suggest using our testing as a first step in planning your journey. If the Turtle Health virtual consult identifies you as high risk, we will recommend that you see a specialist doctor. That doctor will likely repeat your testing to confirm the results. If you are lower risk, we will recommend an appropriate timeline for follow-up testing, as fertility risks can change as you get older.
Whatever your results, there is always the possibility of undetected fertility risks. If you are certain that you want children, trying sooner gives you the best chance of completing your family and of avoiding issues that may not be captured by testing. Our testing identifies about 80% of fertility risks, but it does not cover tubal risks (including endometriosis in the tubes), “idiopathic” (unexplained) infertility, or certain other uncommon causes of infertility – all of which become more common as you get older.
Ultimately, you are solely responsible for your decisions or actions based on the materials or information we provide to you. Every journey is unique. There is no right or wrong way to use information about your fertility. While Turtle Health is an excellent resource to learn more about your fertility through comprehensive testing and provides the most accurate at-home testing available, we cannot guarantee outcomes. Your results may be subject to normal variation and shipping and laboratory conditions. Turtle Health is not liable for issues that arise from standard laboratory and clinical practice, or for decisions that are or are not made based on results from testing.
