If anyone followed my previous post about unsuccessfully TTC for 8 months now along with worrisome spotting, I thought I would come back and update you.
Went to the RE for Day 3 bloods and my FSH was through the roof- 22.6. It's supposed to be under 8.
What the nurse told me and what I have read -- to say the least--are extremely discouraging. Like, certain fertility clinics won't even consider women over FSH over 20, discouraging. I'm 31. I don't know why my eggs are bad..
So that's that. Waiting to hear about my AMH levels which will tell me if I literally even have any eggs. I'm not sure I can conceive naturally. I am stunned but I guess we will see what the RE says further.
Share your high FSH levels if you'd like.
You might also enjoy...
-
@pachamama: Oh, no. I'm so sorry you had to hear that.
Hugs!! Would you consider getting a second opinion at another RE to see if there is something else they could do?Hope you get some better news. I'm not sure if you consider yourself to have infertility but we have a great group of users here. I'm hoping you'll hear from one of them soon. I have IF, but I don't have any experience with high FSH levels.
Oh, I moved this thread into TTC (6 months plus) boards for you. If you want it moved somewhere else, let me know.
-
I'm sorry you got this news...it's tough being told you have DOR/high FSH. In my experience there are a lot of clinics that give less than reliable information or don't have much confidence or experience in working with women who have high FSH so you'll get the best information from other women who have it too. If you have low AMH it doesn't necessarily mean you don't have any eggs left.
When I first had my CD3 bloodwork done my AMH was 0.25 (which is just above undetectable) and my FSH was 9.6. The cycle I got pregnant with LO, my FSH was 17. DOR does make it very tough to conceive without any interventions but for me it beat the alternative. I hope everything works out for you and if you need help with anything we're here.
-
@pachamama: BTW, I see where you're located...I don't know what interventions you'd be open to but there are a few REs in the Northeast who are high FSH friendly. The one I worked with will do monitoring and TI with meds (which is what I did) as well as mini-IVF. Again, I know you mentioned wanting to conceive naturally but I just wanted to let you know that there are options.
-
Going off of @spaniellove:, I had low AMH. I think my AMH levels were 1.2 and was diagnosed with PCOS and DOR. I think my FSH levels were fine. (Oh, I'm currently 31 and was diagnosed with PCOS & DOR last year.)
Oh, my first RE did tests but they never looked into why my 3 IUIs failed. Or, at least, didn't think I had a problem because they said all my tests were fine. Though, they only did bloodwork every 6 months! (Looking back they should have monitored me more closely.) I ended switching to another clinic and that when they looked at my insulin levels and saw subtle symptoms that made them think I had mild PCOS. I definitely feel like my second clinic worked extra hard to make sure they developed a protocol just for me.
-
@bluestriped bee: Agreed, it is so important to have a protocol designed just for you. My first clinic was inexperienced with DOR (since unbeknownst to me there was another clinic a few minutes away that was a DOR mecca) and they automatically put me on max stims with no suppression for IVF. When I switched it was so much nicer to have an RE whose attitude was that they would learn what the issue was and treat that.
-
@bluestriped bee: I will talk to the RE instead of the nurse 're. We have 2 great clinics near me- Albany IVF and CNY. I'm currently at CNY and have had a great experience-they are very comprehensive and prompt with testing.
@spaniellove: yeah, I'm going to really pick their brain about DOR if that's what I have (which I'm sure it is)
I don't insist on natural conception; at this point I would just be so happy if I had a baby with my genes.Tonight is a sad night. I never thought I would be in this position
-
@pachamama: One of the mantras in the high FSH community is: don't let them rush you to donor eggs until you're comfortable with what you've tried. In your position I would definitely talk to a clinic known for treating high FSH because they'll have the most options. Don't rule anything out!
-
@spaniellove: not to threadjack but what is mini-IVF?
-
@travellingbee: Doing IVF with minimal stims with the intent of retrieving only a couple eggs, hopefully better quality. One of the reasons it's done is DOR since traditional IVF doesn't yield many embryos and/or high stim IVF which most REs will want to do will just fry the eggs.
-
@spaniellove: you are very knowledgeable. I'm glad I found you!
I also liked reading high fsh experiences here. http://www.fertilethoughts.com/forums/high-fsh-and-premature-ovarian-failure/
-
I had high FSH, I don't remember what it was because it was 7-8 years ago. I did 1 1/2 cyles of IVF, one of which made it to egg retrieval but none of the eggs made it. After the last IVF they told me that they would recommend donor eggs. I wasn't comfortable with it so we put it off. I eventually had 2 kids naturally. I had my FSH checked within the last 2 years (I'm 41) to get an idea how close I was to menopause (both my grandma and mom went into early menopause in their 30's), and it came back better than it was when they checked it during infertility treatment. I don't know if FSH numbers can fluctuate - they did with me. Sorry you are having to deal with this.
-
I'm sorry for the bad results. But please don't give up. I know the feeling of that diagnosis even though mine wasn't quiet as high (14). I'm telling you from reading a lot of DOR blogs that many with DOR do end up with a baby. It just takes time, patience and the right protocol.
Are you working with an TCM clinic? I think if you can afford you should look into it. I have no doubt that this had a huge impact.
You also have o keep in mind that this hormones fluctuates. Every single months. And it increases quiet often with stress. So don't count yourself out. I know waaaay easier said than done.
I agree with others you will need to find an RE that is working with you to find the right protocol. This step is going to be important.
One other thing to keep in mind... With DOR you may not have many eggs but the once you do have are most likely going to be of good quality at your age! In the end, even with ivf you only need one. So if you need to go down that path you may not get a dozen eggs but you have a good chance to get a couple or so good quality ones.
Pm me if you want to talk or links to a few blogs.
-
I also wanted to add that your FSH reading may also totally be out of line due to your spotting. It really is different every day of your cycle.
AHM maybe even in combination with AFC will give you a way better picture.
-
Sorry to hear that I hope you get some good news soon
-
@JMOM: @pachamama: FSH can vary a lot from cycle to cycle, and it can be affected by meds and even miscarriage. That's why it's so important to be monitored by an RE who will test your levels each cycle. The cycle before my FSH was 17 it was 3, so you can see how much it varies.
-
@spaniellove: Yeah, my clinic will monitor me every cycle and base procedures on that. For example, at 23 FSH the nurse told me No way,nothing this month. But I'll go in for Day 3 bloods every month.
@elchalten: What is AFC? I currently am going to acupuncture. My insurance even covers it as far as I know.
-
@pachamama: Is that what your nurse said to you, 'No way, not this month?' about your high FSH? I think she needs to work on her bedside manner. I would be so annoyed. Yeah, I would schedule a consult with your RE and see if they have a plan for you.
-
Big hugs to you sweetie. My AMH was only 0.5 and I was still able to conceive two children. I'm glad you found HB so many amazing knowledgable women on here. Ill be cheering you on for a BFP.
-
@MrsMccarthy: thanks, girl
@bluestriped bee: She was very nice. I was like "It's not going to work." and she was like "Well, we would not proceed with IVF with FSH over 20, but you are young and this is a good thing." She is way more positive than me. I feel like I have so much going against me.UPDATE:
AMH is .3 soooooo yeah, not good
everything else is good, testosterone and progesterone are low
AFC- about 8 total. Is that bad? -
@pachamama: Combined with the high FSH, unless your numbers change drastically I'd stick with my advice to get another consult with one of the clinics that specialize in DOR/high FSH like New Hope/Cornell/Cooper. Of the 3, I know for sure Cooper will let you cycle with higher FSH regardless of whether you are doing IVF, but if they're outside your network it may be OOP for you. I'll be thinking positive thoughts for you!
-
@spaniellove: if it's out of pocket and most likely not going to work (being realistic about ivf success rates), why would I go to a different clinic? Do you think they're that much more successful?
-
every month I'm going to go in for bloodwork and follicle count to see if I'd have a chance at responding. ... this month cry my FSH was 21 and only one follicle. Can't even start IUI cycle yet is my clinic wants fsh to be under 20. Boo.
-
UPDATE: my some miracle of who even knows what, I am 10 weeks pregnant!!!! I didn't want to jinx it but I thought I would post now to give others with a "tragic" high FSH diagnosis some hope.
I got pregnant with an FSH of 30, AMH of 0.3, constant spotting, very low progesterone, low testosterone, etc. Baby had a HR of 170 at our 8.5w ultrasound and a CRL of 21!. I still don't know how this happened! But I am feeling great and hopefully baby is doing great as well!! -
@pachamama: CONGRATS!
-
Congrats! Thanks for sharing the high FSH / low AMH success story. I had an FSH of 12.7 and an AMH of 0.79 a couple months ago and just miscarried at 7 weeks so I'm feeling a little hopeless at the moment... Glad to hear that your persistence is turning into a good ending!
-
@pachamama: congrats!!
-
@Shantuck: What I did read too is that high FSH is not a predictor of miscarriage. That comforted me in the first weeks when I was SO nervous about MC.
I'm really not sure how much stake there even is in FSH. I mean, how on earth did I conceive with an FSH that mnth of 30?!!! If you listen to the stats and research it's not encouraging to say the least, but I think getting pregnant is about more than that. Bets of luck. I'm sure you will be ok -
@pachamama! I'm so happy for your. I pray everything continues to go perfectly for you and the little one. I have low AMH for my age (27 almost 28), but my FSH is normal. Stories like yours give me so much hope! If you don't mind me asking, were you doing any type of intervention (Clomid, meds, IUI, etc) when you conceived?
-
@pachamama: yay! That's really wonderful! We got pregnant with an FSH of 11, AMH of 0.79 and I'm closing in on 38 years old. We had two miscarriages then used Clomid for a little extra boost and now I'm 15 weeks!
-
@mrsjd: iui did not work for us (we did one in March, I conceived in May) I firmly believe ART would not work for us.... I simply had too few eggs and supposedly they were quality. People like me do not respond well to IVF, that research is decisive. I had 2 cancelled IUis and honestly the whole monitoring /medicine/ fertility center experience was harrowing and not worth it.
I did do 100mg of progesterone suppositories (doctors didn't even tell me to do it, I made the decision to take the Endometrin and I do think it helped baby stick!!) -
@pachamama: congratulations! I'm 35, FSH 6 on CD3 and CD11 after clonus, but AMH 0.3. I'm feeling so discouraged, but stories like yours help.
-
@AmeliaBedilia: I would have LOVED an FSH of 6 hahs! Any experienced woman and good fertility specialist will tell you: there's way more to conceiving than amh and fsh! Please don't stress. Trust your body and its timing.
-
Try cutting out all sugar/carbs and increasing antioxidants, omega, vitamin 6 and b complex for 3-4 months. PCOS can be insulin driven and if you eliminate the insulin spikes and get your hormones in line, you may improve your numbers enough that you won't need the most extreme treatment options. Good luck!
-
This comment has been deleted by the original poster.
Hugs!! Would you consider getting a second opinion at another RE to see if there is something else they could do?
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
34 comments