I'm so confused. I just got a call from the doctor's office. They had originally recommended clomid and IUI this cycle. I did my cycle day 3 labs yesterday and got a call from the MA this morning. She said my FSH looks good at 5.8. My ultrasound was normal. I have a retro flexed uterus. And my estradiol was 15. Then she called back and said that the doctor said not to take clomid because my estradiol is too low. She wants me to do a non medicated cycle with IUI. Which is fine if that's best, but I want to understand why! She said that my estradiol is too low to take clomid, and that I don't need it, but she couldn't explain why. I told her I needed more of an explanation, but she had no answers. She said she would ask the doctor and call me back. I'm really frustrated because if anything, my research says that clomid is sometimes prescribed for low estradiol, not contraindicated! Can anyone here explain this to me? Thanks! I wish the doctor would just call me back herself. I hate talking to the clueless medical assistant.
-
I know when I was on femera, they wanted to make sure my E2 wasn't elevated because of cysts. I've had possible cyst once but my E2 level was fine, so we always went a ahead with the IUIs. I don't know about low E2. That has me confused, as well.
Hmmm... I found this...
Clomid is an oral medication that can be used to stimulate ovulation. It works by blocking estrogen receptors at the hypothalamus, which is an important "hormonal control center" for the body. When this happens, the hypothalamus is stimulated to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). These are the naturally occurring ovarian stimulants, which prompt ovulation in a normal cycle.
Clomid blocks the E2 receptors.
I'm not a dr so maybe there's another concern that I don't know about.
I would call them back and ask for an explanation!
ETA: Oh, I see that you are waiting for the Dr to call you back. Let's hope you hear back from them soon.
-
I may be remembering incorrectly, I haven't had any interventions for over a year now, but I'm pretty sure that E2 level for CD 3 is totally normal. You want your E2 to start out low, pre-follicular phase, and then go up to 150+ when you ovulate. I believe my original CD3 E2 was 17 and they said that was good. Hope they call back soon!
-
Not to be rude, but this sounds nuts. I've truly never heard of Clomid being contraindicated for low E2 levels - it doesn't even make sense. I don't even think low E2 on CD3 is a problem at all - it's elevated levels you have to watch out for! Regarding bluestriped bee's point, Clomid does block E2 receptors, but that only tricks your body into THINKING your estrogen is decreased. I'm not a doctor, but if you already have the Clomid script, I would probably just go ahead and take it anyway! It's a very safe and effective drug.
-
I really have no clue but, maybe they mean that, because it looks like a normal E2 level, your body is clearly doing what is supposed to be doing so you don't need the clomid in order to ovulate. Like I think my levels were elevated because I have DOR. I wouldn't take it though without doctor approval and monitoring or you may end up with triplets. I had 4 and then 3 big ol' follicles from my rounds of clomid. I happen to have poor egg quality because of my age, but I still could have ended up with twins or more.
-
@ms.line: Ok thank you, this is exactly what my thinking is. I'm a vet tech, and while I know it's not the same, our hospital is very careful never to have people call clients back about medical issues who don't have the knowledge to fully explain. So frustrating! I am pretty sure that low e2 is fine, so maybe they just feel like I don't NEED the Clomid. Ok, I get it, but I'm awfully anxious to get this show on the road, and I'd like to do everything possible. Still waiting to hear back.
-
@2farmmoms: Yeah, I would be super frustrated in your shoes, especially with the runaround this place has already given you regarding donor issues. And even if you don't "need" the Clomid because you ovulate on your own, it can help regulate timing, which improves IUI accuracy. Plus it could encourage you to release more than one egg, which ups success rates, too. Are you going to be monitored this cycle or just use OPKs at home? Is your cycle very regular on its own?
-
Are you seeing an RE or an OB? Do you ovulate regularly? I like to use this page for reference: http://www.fertilityplus.com/faq/hormonelevels.html
According to them, your E2 is a little low, but I'm not a doctor so I have no idea why you shouldn't use Clomid in that case. If you don't ovulate regularly, I would highly recommend seeing an RE and getting monitored before starting Clomid.
-
@ms.line: I think their plan is just to let me use OPKs at home. They aren't very good at communicating, obviously, but since they're not doing the IUI, they don't seem too interested in doing much monitoring for timing. @travellingbee: Good point, triplets would be really really bad. We've come to terms with the increased risk of twins, but we would lose it if we found out we were having triplets.
@ShootingStar: I am seeing an OB who specializes in fertility. There are no REs within 3 hours of where we live, so this was our best option to start with. I do ovulate on my own, as far as I can tell, and on my ultrasound yesterday I had plenty of follicles. -
So the clinic finally called back. Unfortunately it's just really hard to get any answers out of them, because I can only speak with the Medical Assistant and she really only relays messages. Anyway, they said that since I have a low E2 number, Clomid wouldn't be effective. It didn't sound like it is contraindicated, just not effective with E2 levels that are already low. I'm not sure I really understand, but I guess there's no point in taking something with potential side effects if it won't do any good.
-
@2farmmoms: I can't find any evidence that supports that theory on the Internet so I'm curious about their theory. That said, it would still worry me to take it without dictor approval and monitoring. Sorry you didn't get more answers.
-
Agree with @travellingbee - I think it sounds like BS. Plenty of women (including myself) have taken Clomid without monitoring with no issues, but ultimately you have to be comfortable with the decision. I'm sorry they weren't of more help!
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
11 comments