London Woman's At-Home Fertility Test Reveals Unexpected Brain Tumour Diagnosis
A young London woman has shared her extraordinary story of discovering a brain tumour through an at-home fertility test, after experiencing symptoms she initially attributed to her existing medical conditions.
Unusual Symptoms and Fertility Concerns
Livia McNee, a 27-year-old civil servant based in London, began experiencing irregular periods but didn't think much of it initially. Having been diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), she assumed these symptoms were related to her existing conditions.
"I didn't have wild headaches, or loss of vision, which a lot of people get," Livia explained. "It was simply me tracking my periods and thinking, 'Something isn't right.' This symptom is also a symptom of many other conditions, including two others that I have."
Her curiosity about her fertility led her to take an at-home blood test through Hertility Health, a company specialising in female healthcare. The test examined all hormones related to her menstrual cycle, revealing several abnormal results including her egg reserve, testosterone, and prolactin levels.
Shocking Diagnosis at a Work Event
After receiving the concerning test results, Livia underwent further medical investigations through her GP, culminating in an MRI scan in May 2025. The following month, doctors delivered the life-changing news: she had a pituitary tumour, an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain.
The diagnosis came at an especially difficult moment - Livia received the news over the phone while attending a work party. "I found out while at a work party, which is not the best place to do it," she recalled. "I cried a lot, and took some time to process. For me, the main thing wasn't that I had a brain tumour, which seems odd. But it was that I had another medical issue."
Livia also lives with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTs), which causes extreme dizziness when standing up, adding to her complex medical profile.
Fertility Impact and Treatment Challenges
The pituitary tumour significantly affects Livia's fertility by disrupting her prolactin levels, which are responsible for lactation and breast development. This hormonal imbalance can cause irregular periods and infertility.
"While my tumour is here, and causing havoc, I can't get pregnant," Livia revealed. "I'm nowhere near ready for kids but knowing that is really affecting me and that isn't spoken about enough."
Her treatment involves medication called cabergoline, which has proven challenging to manage. "It's not a nice medication to take," she said. "The main side-effects are feeling nauseous and, boy oh boy, did I feel that. I constantly have to keep ginger shots next to me. It's been a ride and a half."
Lifestyle Adjustments and Support System
The diagnosis has forced Livia to make significant lifestyle changes, particularly regarding her fitness routine. "A major thing I've had to change is working out," she explained. "I have always been a gym-goer and loved HIIT but my body can't take it anymore and that's been a huge thing to accept."
She credits her partner with providing crucial support during this difficult period, describing him as "an absolute rock." Her family has also been deeply affected, with Livia noting that "they've been so supportive but I can tell my parents want to take all the pain away."
Recent Progress and Important Message
In more positive developments, Livia recently underwent a repeat MRI that showed her tumour had shrunk, allowing her to reduce her medication slightly. However, she experienced complications when taking a break from the medication, which caused her menstrual cycle to become irregular again.
Livia strongly encourages anyone experiencing similar symptoms to seek medical attention. "Hertility offers an affordable way of checking your hormones if your GP won't so I highly recommend it," she advised. "Unfortunately, as I said, my symptoms are also symptoms of many other conditions, so it's very hard to tell."
Her story highlights the importance of investigating unusual symptoms, even when they might initially appear related to existing conditions, and demonstrates how at-home testing can sometimes reveal unexpected serious health issues.
