Q10/DHEA/Ubiquinol

[Twistering]

Anyone got experience of these for improving egg quality? Starting IUI next cycle and want to give it best possible chance and read good things.

I'm 37, unexplained infertility after multiple miscarriage (3-4 years ttc). The only thing that's been mentioned is they aren't sure I'm ovulating properly but while I think it's not mega regular, i think they did all the tests at wrong time.

Either way, can any of the above hurt?? Brands?
Thanks

Thanks

[Andcake]

I think all helped me but not on First go....b6 in high doses sorted out my wonky cycle - you do need tess done at right time as might not be righ for you

[Persipan]

Ubiquinol/Q10 shouldn't cause you any problems, although you'd generally need to be taking it for at least three months for it to have an impact on egg quality (if, indeed, it has one).

Definitely do not take DHEA without first speaking to your clinic. It can mess about with your hormones quite significantly. (Again, you'd need 3 months to make a difference anyway.)

[mommybear1]

Hi OP I also had unexplained infertility we had three miscarriages and two failed ivfs. I took these supplements to help egg quality BUT as another poster has said DHEA must be signed off by your clinic. If you have read "it starts with an egg" this has a schedule of the supplements it recommends for egg quality I took all of this plus DHEA after my consultant signed it off. I started the supplements in August and DHEA in Jan just before what would have been my third ivf and got my bfp in March pre ivf. Good luck!

[Twistering]

Sorry, work took over!

Thanks all, really helpful. I'll see if can find out from clinic (NHS) if any issue but they are crap on the phone. Keen to start though as the pessimist in me is assuming nothing's going to work first time!

Thanks

[sproodlemummy]

Hi Twistering

Here's my experience with Ubiquinol.

First IVF - 15 mature eggs 2 fertilised BFN
2nd ICSI - 1 mature egg - Fertilised BFN
3rd ICSI - 8 Mature eggs - 2 Fertilised BFN
Consultant tried to convince us to go down the Donor Egg Route
4th ICSI - 13 Mature Eggs - 13 Fertilised - 1 Top Grade Transferred BFN but we got 6 x 5 Day Blasto Frosties

I read the book It Starts With the Egg after my 3rd failed cycle. As well as reading this I researched the drugs recommended and decided that DHEA wasn't for me. There was evidence that on some people it can push them into being borderline PCOS, as I was already on the PCOS scale I decided against it, however I did decide to take the 300mg Q10 Ubiquinol per day (You have to take the purest form of Ubiquinol and not just the cQ10 - its not cheap though - we used Natures Best). I started this at least 3 months before embarking on our 4th cycle as well as cutting out as much plastic & nasty chemicals as I could. We switched out all plastic food containers for glass containers and changed all beauty products to natural that didn't include SLS or Phalates. I stopped drinking bottled water due to the BPA chemical, cut out takeaways and tried to eat a more vegetarian diet.

Although our 4th transfer didn't work we've never ever been in the position of having 6 blastocysts frozen and I 100% put it down to the lifestyle changes and the ubiquinol.

Good luck for the future xx

[Twistering]

Thanks so much sproodlemummy for the detailed response, sounds like you did absolutely everything you could.

Feel like I know nothing, have ordered the book and will be arming myself with knowledge!

Thanks again x

[hoping2018]

Hi @Twistering

I took all of them plus melatonin which clinic recommended for quality. I wouldn't take without them oking it though

I actually only took for a month before second cycle. We also surgical removed my husbands a perm the second time and have a scratch so can't say what did it but I'm 15/40 currently.

Good luck

[Naughty1205]

I took 600 mg of Q10 before undergoing IVF at age 42. We also had unexplained fertility. Now have a 2.5 year old head case. I threw everything at the final round as had nothing to lose, bar lots of money and my sanity! It's worth it so you can say you took it and tried everything. Best of luck to you.

[Naughty1205]

Sorry that was 600 mg daily. Cost a lot but not sure if you can get it on prescription?

[AngelsAckiz]

I take q10 but not the ubiqiunol q10. Is this really an issue?? If so I'll bloody cry because we've been spending a kings ransom on supplements the last 3-4 months

[Naughty1205]

Angels, I wouldn't worry about that at all. Evidence shows very minute difference between both. Keep taking what you are taking and best of luck.

[AngelsAckiz]

Thanks naughty, that's very reassuring!

[Zigzag99]

Watching with interest as thinking of taking ubiquinol myself.
Does anyone know what dosage is recommended? I've read so many different things.

[Guio]

@Zigzag99 I take 200 mg every day and I used to take 100.as IVF approaches I decided to increase it but it costs around £30 monthly as the bottle has 60 tablets and I take 2 per day.

[Zigzag99]

Thanks Guio. I have been looking at prices and agree it's not cheap but I've had a few miscarriages after ivf/fet so feel like I need a different approach.

[Twistering]

Sorry missed these, thanks so much for the extra info and well wishes!
Emailed hospital and Consultant suggested 100mg Ubiquinol (not Ubiquinone) plus 5mg slow release melatonin, so there's obv something in that too. Suggested Biovea website so off to google!

As an aside, what's a scratch??

[ckc45d10]

First, you may want to look into the type of ubiquinol that you take. Ubiquinol is better absorbed in a water and fat-soluble supplement form. Work with your doctor on dosages, but some research has shown a range of 100 to 600 mg of CoQ10 may affect fertility. However, some of this depends on the type and form of CoQ10 that you take. If you are taking a product that absorbs better, it is possible you may be able to take less.

[MindatWork]

OP if you mean an endo scratch, it’s where they use a thin catheter to ‘scratch’ the lining of your uterus, ostensibly to give the embryo a better chance of implanting.

I had it done but it wasn’t pleasant - also some new research has just come out saying it’s not really proven to have a definite positive impact on ivf outcomes, so you may want to do a bit of reading before you make a decision.

[sproodlemummy]

I agree with @MindatWork do you research on the endo scratch. It isn't pleasant and can be very painful. I've had 2 now and wouldn't have another one due to the research coming out saying that it's basically makes no difference to the IVF outcome.

[Bunbunbunny]

Can someone post a link for Ubiquinol/Q10 they have used? Just googled and was very confused!

[LillyLeaf]

Life Extension Super Ubiquinol CoQ10 with BioPQQ, Non-GMO, 100mg, 30 Softgels www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DBYI6RQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_RzwFBbA0C0CZS?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

According to 'it starts with the egg' you need £300 of this kind, but I've been taking £200, it is working out expensive so I'm looking for a cheaper version. It is confusing.

[LillyLeaf]

Phone Typo £300 = 300mg, £200=200mg

[Twistering]

I got this one www.naturesbest.co.uk/co-q10/co-q10/ubiquinol-100mg/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_TbBRDsARIsAALJSOa1F04KIAe8MXrRy_TISZMs_PztVcEhxERR-Y4vKKJ_aYer0QvlTLoaApB4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds but arrived today and says not to take if pregnant?! Am in 2ww (no one said to stop trying pre treatment so have emailed clinic again!

[ckc45d10]

Sure! This is one ubiquinol/CoQ10 I mentioned: www.qunol.com/collections/shop/products/qunol-mega-ubiquinol

[Twistering]

And thanks for scratch info, doesn't sound terribly appealing...