Very low AMH for IVF

[Sunnysideup174]

Hello, first post on any forum like this so go easy on me 😊
I have one child and we have tried for a second baby. starting a couple of years ago. Sadly I had two miscarriages during this time.
Then devastatingly my husband was diagnosed with cancer, meaning we cannot now have a baby naturally.
His sperm is frozen. I went for the standard tests and then got my AMH result back at 0.3, even the consultant was shocked. I’m 35.
Also then they scanned my uterus and found potential arcuate shape so I’m awaiting a hysteroscopy to confirm this. (Potential cause of the m/c)
So I’m so confused by the AMH, and am very paranoid about having early menopause as a result.
Does anyone else have such a low AMH yet still producing decent amount of eggs in IVF?
I just don’t know whether I should be put off trying, due to this result.
I have 5 follicles in one ovary, (other ovary removed years ago)
Any help or advice on what i can do to boost my chances would be greatly appreciated.
The consultant recommended DHEA?
Thankyou! And I wish you all well on your journeys 🙏🏻

[itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted]

Hi OP
DHEA is usually recommended when you have low AMH and low number of follicles - it's a nightmare to get hold of in the UK though - I've tried looking but not sure I would trust some of the websites it appears on?

I think you should be prepared that normal ivf won't necessarily work for you and that you won't be one of these women that gets 20 eggs collected?

Have you talked to any IVF Clinics? Most have a minimum AMH that they will treat so many may turn you away but there are some that specialise in low AMH - Create being one of them. They pioneer natural IVF so collect the 1 egg that you body naturally chose that month and fertilise that one and put it back in?


I had mild ivf with them and I have lower than average AMH - my first cycle failed but I have a couple more embryos frozen to use
It's also all about quality not quantity - my AMH is 12.9 - collected 14 eggs but most were poor quality and only got 3 to blast - you might only produce one but it might be top quality x

[mommybear1]

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted hi just to say I took DHEA the consultant recommended the Biovea site and I purchased from there got a bfp after two months pre third round of ivf - he's currently sleeping on my lap . Sorry to hi jack the thread just wanted to let you know - good luck

[itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted]

Thanks @mommybear1 I'll try that site! I've heard the side effects can be quite bad though....?

[mommybear1]

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted to be honest I had none that I noticed. No acne/flushes/hair loss or greasy hair but I was only on it for a max of 3 months I'm not sure if the effects are stronger when you take it for long periods. We are ttc #2 so I have started taking it again and so far (6weeks) no side effects 🤞🏻.

[MayZ]

Sorry to jump in but what dose of DHEA are you all on? Thanks

[mommybear1]

The consultant prescribed me 25mg taken three times a day so 75mg per day.

[MayZ]

@mommybear1

Thank you, the bottle said 25mg dose once daily but I'd read 3x so wanted to check.

Did it help you?

Thanks

[Holly19]

Hello - no advice re the AMH but just wanted to say I have a similar story to you that I had three miscarriages 2 at 6 weeks and 1 at 10 weeks and then my husband got cancer and we also had to freeze. My consultant has suggested that the cancer itself might have been the reason for the miscarriages... not for certain but it’s a possibility. I’d you do go down the IVF route they will test the frozen sperm and If there is a problem due to the cancer I was told they can select the ‘best’ sperm. Obviously I don’t know all the science behind it but just wanted you to know that the miscarriages might not have anything to do with your uterus which would be a good thing. Best of luck with everything and hope your husband is doing ok now x

[mommybear1]

@MayZ well I got my natural bfp just before we started our third ivf try so I'd say it definitely helped I was also taking supplements from the "it starts with an egg" for my age group the consultant agreed them all. My pfb was born in Oct 17. I haven't gone back for further testing since getting pregnant.

[Sunnysideup174]

Thanks ladies this is all useful info. I saw another fertility consultant today who was incredibly honest which I appreciated. He basically said with such a low AMH my chance are

[Ilikeviognier]

If if helps, I did ivf age 35 and only got 2 eggs as my amh was low too. I had zero expectations of it working. However, 2 eggs became 1 embryo, became one bfp and he’s now 4.5. It can happen. Especially when your still mid thirties. Good luck.

[Melk19]

I’ve just been told I have a low AMH so am not eligible for NHS treatment. Now researching best options for London clinics but also want somewhere who will give me an honest appraisal of the situation, especially as I’m 41. Would be great to hear recommendations?

[AliceAbsolum]

I've just been through my 1st round, consult said we would only get 1-2 (if any) but I've just had 2 blastocysts put back. I'm glad I gave it a go. But in the future I would use donor eggs, too expensive to be faffing about with small numbers!

[ObtuseTriangle]

How much sperm do they have frozen if you wanted to try a few iui’s before moving into ivf? I think I would also want to determine if possible any cause for your earlier losses.
There are some clinics that do a very natural cycle operating to retrieve one egg that is about to ovulate naturally and then using ivf to inseminate and then putting it back. Less costly as you are not paying for the follicle stimulating meds.
I would suggest joining a forum specifically for infertility such as fertility friends and doing as much research as you can and choosing a centre that has a lot of experience with difficult cases.
As you are funding this yourself perhaps look into European clinics who might be less expensive. Many of these have lots of experience with difficult cases as they are the last resort for women who have previously had failed treatment in the uk and are looking elsewhere. These will do a Skype consult if you you can send them copies of results. I think frozen sperm can be shipped to overseas clinics but not certain. I can suggest an overseas clinic if you want to pm me for details. Good luck.

[Sunnysideup174]

Thanks ladies 😊
We have around 10-12 straws of sperm from memory , consultant did mention we would burn through those quickly if we went with IUI, so we either need to make a decision to go with IUI or IVF or nothing.
My periods have bizarrely been a bit erratic these last few months and I'm currently on day 43 of my cycle (not pregnant!).. consultant did suggest it could be due to my AMH and I'm possibly not ovulating like I used to.
Strange tho as prior to this year my periods had been like clockwork so it seems quite sudden.
I'm really surprised about the positive ending for cases where only a couple of eggs were retrieved tho. I would feel the same, have absolutely no hope but you never know do you.
Amazing science and congrats. Xx

[hoping2018]

If I were you I’d pay for a cycle ASAP and see how many eggs you get 35 is a reasonable age. If it goes terribly then at least you tried and may help you move on with things. I had a low AMH for my age (albeit 8 so much higher than yours -m) and a high FSH (12) and I got 22 eggs! They were really shocked - you don’t know how you’ll respond until you try....