GP says FSH levels ok but Dr Google says otherwise

[tasmaniandevilchaser]

Hi all, hope you can help me.

I had the Day 3 blood tests (actually on day 2, and I ovulated that cycle on day 9). My GP said the results were normal:

LH - 5.8 u/L (normal range 2.9-21.7)

FSH- 12.7 u/L (normal range 2.5-19.5)

Oestradiol 213 pmol/L (77-921)

But googling around, 12.7 doesn't look good at all for the FSH. I'm 38 and my mother went through the menopause in her early 40's (but no-one else in my family, to my knowledge), so I'm a bit concerned. I'm desperate for DC #2.

Does it make a difference I ovulated early this cycle? I'm certain it was Day 9 (charting and CBFM)

My Day 21 bloods came back with progesterone 54; but testosterone below normal 1 nmol/L (normal range 2-4). She said that was ok as well but I'm not sure what to make of it all.

I got the exact same FSH result last year and my GP also said it was normal (but from what I'd read online and in books knew it was too high for comfort).

My progesterone levels were also coming back under 25 every month when I know they like to see over 30 (so 54 is really good) but I did conceive a couple of months later (was taking conception vits, B6 and having acupuncture)

hi piemistress, thanks, that's lovely to hear. I'm also following a similar "regime" of vits and acupuncture, so fx! I remember you from the mosh pit, I'll see you in there sometime soon!

Fsh looks high for fertility GP will be looking at lab range and maybe a diff GP looking at results poss from a menopause point of view not fertility pov if not read the notes. They do not mean menopause but high for conceiving I would go back .

hi bugs, you're right, they were looking at the menopause for the FSH. What can they do if I go back?

I had an appt with a fertility clinic at my NHS hospital when my FSH level results came through. The consultant did raise his eye brows a bit. I read the Zita West Guide to Getting Pregnant book and she does talk about raised FSH levels. Some people say you are only as good as your highest result whereas others say you can lower it through diet and acupuncture etc. Did I read somewhere about wheatgrass juice?

I would definitely get in the queue for a referral (unless you can afford to go private) there are no private clinics where I lived so had to wait for NHS but fortunately after pestering them weekly I managed to get a cancellation as the waiting list was over 6 months.

How long have you been TTC? Has your partner had a SA done?

hi, thanks mrsmagee and piemistress - I think we should probably go back sooner rather than later to get a referral to the fertility clinic.

Don't think DH's sperm is an issue - we've been TTC since April last year and been pg twice so we can conceive. We had a MMC (baby died at 10wks) and an ectopic pg. The doc at the EPAU said it looked like the MMC was a hormonal problem (not sure how she knew) The EP was just random, but it does mean I've only got one tube now. So having one tube and raised FSH isn't really a great combination.

Part of me thinks we should just give up, avoid the stress and be grateful for DD; another part of me thinks I'd always regret it if we didn't give it a few more months. I've been having acupuncture on and off for ages, I'll keep going with that and push for a referral. Thanks

Hi tasmaniandevilchaser, I can understand your mental torture, so difficult to make the 'right' choice without thinking about the concequences. Also tryng for #2. DD 2yo and have had 4 MMC since. GP and fertility clinic suggest it's my age 42. Acupuncture new to me, would you recommend even though you have been having it for ages?

I also believed my MC was a hormonal issue so I took additional B6 during the first trimester, just in case as its supposed to help with progesterone levels. I basically threw everything I could at getting pregnant again as knew my 40th was rapidly approaching so took extra vits, went for acupuncture (which was great, very relaxing, he listened to me and seemed to genuinely care unlike the GP, he concentrated on making my uterus a warm and inviting place to be!!) DP also had low morphology at 2% so he was on vits as well and I was temp charting using fertility friend and a CBFM. Sounds obsessive, I don't mind admitting it though!!

I went for an internal scan at the fertility clinic and they said I was about to ovulate (although FF and CBFM said I already had) so DTD that night which I am sure did it as I thought the time had passed!! Please push for a referral and hopefully you will be seen soon or get a cancellation x

sporty I would def give acupuncture a go, is there one near you that specialises in fertility?

I echo the others there is not much GP can do but referral to specialist is a good idea

hi sporty sorry for all your losses, that sounds very hard. I'd also give acupuncture a go. At the very least, it helps with the stress. I'd also find someone that specialises in fertility. Good luck!

piemistress your regime sounds very similar to mine! I don't think you can afford to 'relax' when your age and hormone results are against you. Your regime has obviously worked!

@sporty40 are you still on mn?