Which Tests to Do in the UK Before IVF in Cyprus

If you are planning IVF in North Cyprus, the most useful thing you can do before booking flights is to get a few tests done at home in the UK. With recent results in hand, a fertility specialist can tell you which treatment suits you, how long you will need to stay and what it is likely to cost. Without them, every answer starts with "it depends". This guide explains which tests are usually needed, when to do them, what they cost in the UK and how to send them to us.

Short answer: Before IVF, clinics, including our partner clinics in North Cyprus, usually want to see an AMH blood test, early-cycle hormone tests (FSH, LH and oestradiol) and an antral follicle count scan for the woman, a semen analysis for the man, and screening for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis for both partners. Some of these may be available through your GP; privately, the full set for a couple typically costs around £500–£1,000 in the UK. Before you pay for anything, send us the results you already have and a partner clinic specialist will tell you, free of charge, what is still missing.

Why test before you travel?

Your results decide the treatment plan. They show whether IVF with your own eggs is realistic or whether egg donation would give you a better chance, how strong your stimulation medication should be, and whether a male-factor treatment such as ICSI is needed. They also help the clinic plan your dates, so you spend fewer days away from home. Our guide to how long you need to stay in Cyprus explains the timeline.

Testing early also avoids surprises. A cost estimate based on real results is far more reliable than a general price, and an infection result that is out of date can delay treatment on the day.

Tests for women

• AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone): A blood test that reflects your remaining egg supply (ovarian reserve). It can be done on any day of your cycle. Hormonal contraception can lower the result a little, so mention it if you are taking it. Our article on AMH levels after 40 explains how to read it.
• FSH, LH and oestradiol: Blood tests taken on day 2 to 5 of your cycle (day 1 is the first day of full bleeding). Together with AMH they show how your ovaries are likely to respond to stimulation.
• Antral follicle count (AFC) scan: A transvaginal ultrasound, also on day 2 to 5, that counts the small follicles in each ovary. The same scan checks the womb for fibroids, polyps or cysts. If you have had fibroids, see uterine fibroids and IVF.
• Thyroid (TSH) and prolactin: Often requested, because an untreated thyroid or prolactin problem can affect fertility and pregnancy.
• Rubella immunity and cervical screening: Check that you are immune to rubella and that your NHS cervical screening is up to date before you start treatment.

Tests for men

A semen analysis measures sperm count, movement (motility) and shape (morphology). For an accurate result, labs usually ask for 2 to 7 days without ejaculation beforehand, and for the sample to reach the lab within about an hour. Results are compared with the World Health Organization's reference values. One sample can be affected by illness, fever or stress, so if a result is borderline, a repeat test a few weeks later is common. Read more about male fertility testing.

Tests for both partners: infection screening

Every IVF laboratory screens patients for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis. This protects you, your embryos and the laboratory. A positive result does not necessarily rule out treatment, but the clinic needs to know in advance. Infection results have to be recent, and some clinics ask for them to be no more than a few months old, so do these tests close to your treatment date. We will tell you exactly what your clinic accepts.

What do these tests cost in the UK?

Your GP may be able to arrange some of these tests on the NHS. If you go private, these are typical prices from UK providers:

Prices checked on UK providers' websites in October 2026. They vary by city and change often, and some providers bundle several tests into one package.

The tests are a small part of the overall budget, but they are the part that makes the rest of the estimate accurate. Our IVF cost calculator gives a first idea of treatment costs in North Cyprus.

NHS or private: where to get tested

• Your GP: After you have been trying to conceive for a while, a GP can usually arrange initial tests such as hormone blood tests, a chlamydia test and a semen analysis. AMH tests and follicle scans are less often available this way. It is worth asking, even if you plan to have treatment abroad.
• Private clinics and blood test providers: Faster, with appointments often within days. Choose a provider that uses an accredited laboratory and gives you a written report with reference ranges.
• Home finger-prick kits: Convenient for AMH, but a blood sample taken from a vein at a clinic is generally preferred. Ask us before you order one.

Timing your tests

What not to pay for yet

Some tests are only needed in particular cases. Wait for the specialist's advice before booking them:

• Tubal tests (HSG or HyCoSy): IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes, so these are not always needed before IVF. A specialist will ask for one if there is a specific reason.
• Hysteroscopy, immune tests and other specialist tests: Useful for some patients, for example after repeated unsuccessful cycles, but not routine.
• Embryo genetic testing: Preimplantation genetic testing is decided as part of the treatment plan, not before it.

How to send us your results

1. Gather what you have: PDFs or clear photos of your reports, with the test dates and, for hormone tests, the day of your cycle.
2. Send them through our medical assessment form, together with a short medical history and any previous IVF treatment.
3. A partner clinic specialist reviews your case. You hear back from us with their view: what is missing, which treatment fits, a realistic timeline and the costs. This is free and without obligation.

Age is part of the assessment too. Our guide to IVF age limits in Cyprus explains how specialists in North Cyprus decide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need all of these tests before I contact you?

No. Send whatever you have, even if it is a single AMH result. We will tell you what else is useful, so you do not pay for tests you do not need.

Can I have the tests in Cyprus instead?

Yes. The clinic also scans you when you arrive. However, doing the main tests at home lets the specialist plan your treatment before you travel, which usually means a shorter stay and a more accurate quote.

How recent do my results need to be?

Infection screening needs to be recent, often within a few months of treatment. Hormone and scan results are most useful when they are less than a year old, and older results may need repeating, especially if you are over 35. We confirm what your clinic accepts before you book.

Will the clinic in Cyprus accept results from a UK lab?

Yes. Reports from accredited UK laboratories and NHS hospitals are accepted. Make sure each report shows your name, the date and the reference ranges.

Sources

• NHS — Infertility: diagnosis
• NICE — Fertility problems: assessment and treatment (NG257, 2026)
• WHO — Laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen (6th edition, 2021)
• NHS — IVF

Last updated: 2 October 2026