High FSH low LH

Hi @Hoping43

Thanks so much for the details! Waiting for so long must have been just crushing, it's great things are moving now for you x

Since I haven't had AMH and follicular count done yet I'll try to stay positive and hope I get referred quicker.

Please keep sharing your experience and if you come across something worth reading.

I use LH test strips for ovulation prediction but I'll start taking my temperature now too to try to find out if I will ovulate this month, today is CD 8. Hoping that with such a high FSH my body is doing what it can naturally so who knows.

Thanks and have a nice day :)

@Summerishere83 I first went to the doctors last sept. I had to wait 8 weeks for day 3 bloods due to blood bottle shortage because of covid. Once they were done, my husband had semen analysis done. Then we were referred and had an 8 week wait to see a fertility nurse then a 9 week wait for consultant. Overall it’s taken 6 months to get this point.

My FSH Was 9.6, LH 4.5 and estrodial 108pmol.

If you look on NHS or NICE I think it says to be eligible you have to meet ONE of the below criteria but it’s possibly age dependent.

FSH less than 8.9.
Follicle count greater than 4
AMH greater than 5.8 pmol

Something along those lines. This is my third baby. Other two were both conceived within the last few years no problem. This is cycle 12 now. It’s all just very frustrating x

Hi @Hoping43 thanks for your reply :)

Great to hear you've already seen a fertility nurse? How long did you have to wait for that appointment? What tests did you have to do before that? How's your FSH level? Actually I guess if AMH is alright there's nothing to worry about! Good luck, please keep us updated!
Would you happen to know whether there's a cutoff point for FSH to meet eligibility? I don't know if that even matters, with or without NHS if there aren't any eggs it's quite depressing the outcome.
Thanks and good night x

@Summerishere83 hi! Welcome to the thread and sorry to hear you’re feeling anxious. I don’t really have much to update on, still not pregnant and on our 12th cycle. I had my initial consultation with a fertility nurse and she said not to worry about my FSH at 9.6. I also had a follicle count which was normal. We see the consultant next week to draw conclusions and also find out my AMH result x

Hi ladies

Have you had any progress with your tests and potentially IVF?

I just received my CD 2 blood tests and they show FSH 22 and LH 9.1

I'm freaking out as Google says such a high FSH level means decreased ovarian reserve and ovarian failure, 5% chance of pregnancy. Would even NHS fund an IVF cycle?

I am 38 and TTC for 6 months so I was hoping I'd be referred for help but if they think high FSH is a lost cause, what are my chances really? In fact, the note the GP made on my test results was 'Normal' and I'm really frustrated as obviously that's not a normal level.

It would be interesting to hear how things are going with you, good luck to all!!

@PBfingers thank you so much for the long reply. We have an appt in Jan and I am having an antral follicle count etc so will find out more about my ovarian reserve but not sure how important it really is for natural conception.

With the diet, did you go all out crazy, cutting out all sugar etc? We generally have a healthy diet but I do have a sweet tooth. My BMI is around 23

I was always put under an unexplained secondary infertility bracket due to miscarriage then slightly elevated FSH levels once bloods were done.

Like both of you I wanted a reason rather than being put in an unexplained bracket. I think if we had got further down the line with the consultant with the IVF then I probably would have had more of a diagnosis. She used the term 'spontaneous conception despite my elevated FSH' on notes when I told her we were pregnant.

I absolutely know where you are coming with in terms of pressure and stress. It's so very tough when everyone else around you seems to be getting pregnant. I have a really stressful job but I'm used to managing that on a day to day basis but I think ttc made me more stressed than I care to admit. It wasn't everyday but always in the background/ you live in 2 week blocks which is bound to impact.

In terms of ovulation, we used digital kit for a long time and then didn't to reduce pressure. Always had a pretty good idea about ovulation but I do think that the fancy pants machine just took the guess work and pressure off as like you some months my cycles varied by a few days so was missing ovulation inadvertently.

3 months of bloods would be a good base line if your GPS are supportive as the numbers can fluctuate so easily of done at wrong them.

@PBfingers thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Were you ever told your FSH was the reason you weren’t conceiving? I think I’m just looking for an explanation so I’ve convinced myself it must be that but maybe I’m not giving it long enough, it’s been 9 cycles so far.

I definitely feel I’ve been very stressed as my sister started trying at the same time as us and is now three days over due. So it’s added a lot of stress and pressure since the beginning and I feel upset and angry that things couldn’t just be as straight forward for us.

Did the clear blue monitor tell you anything you didn’t already know? I have a good idea of when I ovulate from using OPKs.

My cycles are 28-31 days, I’ve had two babies before, my husbands tests are all fine. The only thing that’s been slightly out so far is the FSH at 9.6 but I was still told that’s normal. I did have a section last time so that’s caused any issues then I really don’t know 🤷🏼‍♀️

Just refound my notes - So my highest level of FSH was 23 one month, however on the whole from day 3 bloods it ranged from 10 to 12.2. LH at 10.3. I was 32/33 around the time of the tests, with normal BMI.

Consultant was very keen that blood tests were done to include early period spotting not full onset. Done between 2 and 5 days. Plus progesterone at day 21 to confirm ovulation, which it did. They also pushed the healthy diet and weight piece heavily throughout all consultations... until she finally met face to face and could see I was not overweight!

Note that blood tests are only current for 6 months so they will retest you multiple times if needed so results are current.

Be careful what you read and action without seeking advice. Particularly around supplements and as others have said, don't get put off by what you read. As you will find IVF success rates are not great with elevated FSH so potentially not funded on NHS, however our NHS Trust/consultant were happy to do one round. It is such a individual postcode lottery and can be disheartening to read /hear but keep pushing .

Separately, we started using the clearblue digital ovulation monitor (the fancy, expensive one) in the 3 months prior to conceiving. It is expensive, but it helped reduce the pressure, stress and unknown for us.

I hope this brain dump helps a little and good luck with your appointments.

@Greensmoothie1 sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you as my information is purely from dr google and I have read everything and totally worked myself up.

Don’t forget though that your FSH is 9 and the cut off is 10 and it can change every month as mine has demonstrated. Also, the younger you are the better quality eggs you have and you will only ovulate one a month regardless of your overall ovarian reserve. There was a study done in 2017 showing no difference in conception rates between women with FSH over 10 and FSH under 10 over a 12 month period. I believe where it really matters is for IVF purposes. There are also other tests such as antral follicle count and AMH which can build up a better picture. I think you need to get to the bottom of your lack of ovulation as most people will have 12 chances over a 12 month period but obviously you’re getting less x

@PBfingers This is so interesting. What was your FSH and were you told it was high? Mine is 9.6 and so far been told it’s normal. I already have two children and I turned 35 a few days ago. We’ve been TTC for 9 cycles. I’m beginning to think I may have to write off having a third child which I so desperately want ☹️

@PBfingers

I'm in my late 20s and definitely going to push as well! I have endometriosis so feel like the odds are just so stacked against me that more time with proper help will only be a good thing!

@Greensmoothie1I think for PCOS it’s more concerning if the LH is higher than FSH. If FSH is higher than LH that’s probably more to do with ovarian reserve

Unfortunately GPS are usually not very knowledgeable in this area. It’s no use saying your numbers are ‘normal’ if the ratio is off.

High FSH can be caused by stress. Can you reduce this? It will definitely help if you’re trying to conceive.

You should also be investigated for PCOS, which will involve tests and scans the GP can’t provide. Push for a referral.

This is so interesting. What was your FSH and were you told it was high? Mine is 9.6 and so far been told it’s normal. I already have two children and I turned 35 a few days ago. We’ve been TTC for 9 cycles. I’m beginning to think I may have to write off having a third child which I so desperately want ☹️

I was in a similar boat to you, and often despite high FSH numbers told I had unexplained infertility as other results came back ok. Took almost 3years to conceive including a miscarriage which delayed referrals in addition to covid. Depending on age referral is now 2years.

I am due end of this month having found out the day we went in for our IVF protocols. Naturally conceived, I suspect a focus on a balanced but high protein/ Mediterranean diet and regular exercise helped as well as moving towards IVF helped 'de-stress'.

Please advocate you own health, chase appointments/referrals and blood tests, ask for a hycosy etc as it does take time. There is some scary reading out there when it comes to high FSH, NICE guidance in particular, but please do read it and be informed when you go into appointments so you can get the help you need.

Maybe look on the NICE guidelines and you’ll find the guidance for referrals. You could print it out and take it to your GP. I hope you get some answers as it really isn’t nice being disappointed month after month x

I would really push it. You should be referred after 12 months of unsuccessful trying. My GP referred me after 7 months and it’ll be cycle 10 by the time we have our initial nurse appt and cycle 11/12 by the time we see a consultant x