I FINALLY found a thread on a forum where people were discussing something that I have researching since I got my blood results back! I am hopeful some of you ladies can read my post below and give me some analysis. I am new here and trying to learn about all of this information as quickly as possible

My post is below:

Can someone please explain this further?

I had my CD1 and CD3 blood work done. RE did it on day 1 and OB did it on day 3

RE results: FSH 10.5 LH 3.9 and Estradiol 21

OB results: FSH 13 LH n/t and Estradiol 12

I also had AMH done and got a .55 and an AFC done day 1 and it was 8.

Because I am trying to research the meaning behind all of this and ask a RE to explain what it means her interpretation was that my estradiol being low was better in her mind, than it being too high. She said it would work better for stimulation. She also felt concerned that the test my OB ran was not fully accurate because she said that level was too low and by lab standards the output that low was not a measurable scale and she felt something was wrong with their number.

She is a practicing RE/Obgyn who works for a major teaching university and a highly regarded RE center.

My Ob works for a large local practice but uses a local lab for their blood work.

I read this thread and was THRILLED to find it because you usually see FSH numbers like mine correlated with high estradiol number. My scenario is not the one you typically see. On another forum some poster commented that is was "much worse to have a high FSH and low estradiol" but she never explained why.

I am in desperate need of clarification and it seems like I am still not getting it fully. I suppose I should just go with my RE's analysis but of course it is never enough for me to do so.


Thanks for any insight you guys can give

is that your FSH reading is more more accurate. An elevated (many say greater than 80) E2 will artificially lower your FSH. It also shows that you don't have any follicles developing prematurely. I'm not sure if having low E2 is necessarily a bad thing...E2 is produced by developing follicles so you might just not have any growing yet. Your AFC of 8 is good. Your FSH of 13 is a bit elevated, not high, although some RE's will tell you it is. Your AMH would be considered on the lower side, but many women have seen this number vary slightly from cycle to cycle. FSH and AMH only help to determine the quantity of eggs in a woman's reserve. It speaks nothing to quality. Age and AFC also play a major role- how old are you? That will help put things into better perspective. And, are you still having regular cycles? Getting positive OPK's (ovulation predictor kits)

Most RE's take baseline bloodwork on CD 2 or 3. It's normal for your FSH to rise in the first part of your cycle, so that's why your first FSH reading is lower. And it too can vary from cycle to cycle. Many women like to have FSH tested on CD 2 rather than CD 3 because it may be lower- especially if they are trying to make a cut-off for IVF at a clinic or for insurance purposes. If those aren't considerations then it doesn't matter.

Are you going to do further monitoring during your cycle? It would be helpful to have more bloodwork and an u/s prior to ovulation to see what your E2 is- it should be higher than 150 for each mature follicle.

Overall, your numbers look great to me:) Many women on this board (including myself) have seen success with a higher FSH and a lower AMH. Try not to get too caught up in the numbers. Hope this helps and good luck!
AJ

Hi thanks.

I am newly 45. My RE won't do IVF on a 45 year old. I have been TTC one month.

I had day one numbers I posted and day three. I started spotting the night before of the day 1 but was only full flow on day 1 so that is why I put it as day 1 and not day 2.

If I do a medicated cycle it will be timed intercourse or IUI only. RE has suggested menopur, femara HCG trigger for the first attempt.

I do ovulate and have been tracking it for two months now. I seem to O on day 12 or 13. My cycles are regular and are 27 days.

I posted on the over 40 FSH board (I didn't know there was one until AFTER I posted here) that I am very tempted to come to NYC and go to New Hope or SIRM.

MY RE (and another one a different practice) felt like at my age that the numbers produced by these low stim/EZ stim IVF for the over 45 year old crowd is akin to taking money from patients.

I realize ALL of this is a leap of faith but I am truly at a loss of how to make any of this my best effort and when to draw the line at TTC.

I do NOT want to spend the next year NOT feeling good and messing with my cycles and reproductive health in a non productive manner just because some doctor is not really super supportive of the patient in my age range. I also do NOT want to be driving myself crazy trying to coordinate complex fertility tx that are a plane ride away only to find that the data truly does not support the tx.

What a dilemma.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

I also meant to ask about your success?

I am at a point where the RE I am using will only do medicated cycles and timed IC or IUI. I am wondering if statistically my odds are the same with no meds?

I don't mean to sound naive but honestly I have spent hours reading what protocols people have used and what worked/didn't work so it leaves a lot for me to ponder.

Tell me what you did if you feel comfortable sharing.