High LH, normal FSH anyone with similar situation?

[pjmeek82]

My partner and I have been trying to conceive for three or four months now without success. I am 37 in a couple of weeks and he is 34. Given my age, my GP isn't hanging about and is keen to get tests etc done ASAP. Last week my GP had some bloods done to check a few things including my LH and FSH levels. The blood was drawn on day 5 of my cycle which lasts 28 days and runs like clockwork. (My periods tend to be relatively light, some months cramping isn't bad at all, other months its excruciating, twice I've been hospitalised due to the pain but with drs not able to find a cause after tests, ultrasounds, MRIs etc. The really painful periods only started in my early 30s.)

The full blood panel, thyroid test, glucose levels, renal function, liver function etc all came back within normal parameters. However, my FSH level was 7.2 (not bad given my age), but my LH level was 19.4. I was surprised to find my LH level was higher than it ought to be. Having done the dreaded google research about LH and FSH ratios, I'm beginning to get concerned. I've read that higher than normal LH levels can be a sign of PCOS, however, I have no other symptoms that could indicate that I have PCOS.

My GP has me booked in for further blood work to check my progesterone levels 7 days before my next period is due and I will see my GP again a week after the blood tests to chat about the results. Having to wait another three weeks before chatting to my GP is driving me crazy. I've considered buying some LH strips so I can do daily tests, but I'm also wondering whether I should just wait and see my GP first and see what she says. My partner and I want at least two kids so we are keen to start a family ASAP. We hadn't even considered that it might be tricky to conceive when we made the decision to start trying, I was hoping that test results would reassure me that we just needed a few more months of trying, but I'm now getting stressed and worried that there could be something wrong and I'm not ovulating for some reason.

I'm a first time user of mumsnet so I'm not fully up to speed with all of the lingo so those replying may need to write out in full some abbreviated terms.

Hello @pjmeek82 I know this is an old thread, but did you ever get to the bottom of things? I have the same situation and have finally conceived however lost baby early. I’m wondering if this has anything to do with high LH levels.
Thanks 🙏🏼

@LucyAnne34 hi - from what I gather high lh is a strong indicator for pcos which might make it difficult to get pregnant as it often messes with ovulation. It don't think it should impact the pregnancy once you manage to conceive though.

@LucyAnne34

Women with PCOS are at high risk of miscarriage. (About 3 times more likely)

But I'm guessing you've had full bloods done and not been diagnosed with PCOS?

Yes I don’t have PCOS. They said they just didn’t know why my LH was high. But it counts as being abnormal levels so I really don’t like that term haha.
Thanks

@LucyAnne34

Are you able to post your blood results? I'm curious as to how high and normal the results are....

If it is as they say very high LH and everything else perfect (meaning a rare disorder), you may need to find a better endocrinologist who is keen to run extra tests and pinpoint the probable cause.

This would help you with long term management of the condition and indirectly help your fertility I suspect.

I don’t have the results anymore. I did see an endocrinologist who said in their parameters my results were only just on the high side. However my gp showed them as being very high. What’s the rare disorder? Is there actually a name for it?
Testosterone was high too. And prolactin.
Endocrinologist was NHS. And I had to fight for that. Unfortunately I can’t afford private.
Thanks

LH 16.5 iu/L
Prolactin 663 mIU/L
Serum testosterone 2.7 nmol/L

PCOS excluded, internal ultrasound done (functional cyst on right ovary)
@Iszzy found them on my record!
Thanks

@LucyAnne34

Have they asked you to repeat the prolactin test? And did they also test your thyroid? (This is sometimes related)

I'm guessing you have very regular periods? Otherwise you would have been diagnosed with PCOS as your testosterone is above the max normal level.

Rare disorder could be anything, but needs a lot of extra tests. Usually self-motivated Specialists would love a case like yours... I.e. a unique challenge to figure out and maybe offer the tests free if you allow them to publish a report on it. E.g. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20334861/

The one thing I could recommend you try in the interim is 4g Myo-inositol, 100mg alpha-LA, and 200µg of folic acid for 3 months.

Myo-inositol is a natural alternative to metformin which targets the ovaries directly. It significantly reduces LH and testosterone levels in women with PCOS. Depending on whats causing your issue, it may or may not work.

If you don't see a big improvement in your blood results after 3 months, you'll have to find a Specialist keen to help.

Yeah they tested my thyroid which was normal. I have some follow up prolactin tests also.
Periods are regular yes.
Can I just ask, are you a doctor?
Thanks

Also, I feel like this has made me more worried - if I leave it (as I will prob have to do due to not being able to go private and all the docs I’ve seen don’t think it’s an issue) im scared now it will be a problem 😞

@LucyAnne34

Lets just say I work in the medical field.

No medical professional would really say abnormal hormone levels is a non-issue when ttc.

I think the reason they are saying its not an issue, is because like PCOS, women are still able to concieve after treatment. Although the miscarriage rate is high (~30%)....

Obviously you got pregnant the first time, which is a great sign it can and will happen again.

Personally, I would like to see both LH and testosterone levels down maybe 35% just for peace of mind.... but I can't say exactly what will work because its not a common finding (your results).

I know myo-inositol with the other 2 supplements has a 50/50 chance of working for you (gut feeling). I can send you the associated research paper on this combination if you like.

If you miscarriage a second time, please mass email 20+ Specialists / University teachers for help. They normally can sneek in the various specialist tests at little to no cost.

On a side note, although I'm not in the UK, I know the Specialists who trained via the academic route over there are the best of the best.

Sorry I know it sounds scary, but try not to worry too much about what you can't control per se.

It's a lot less likely you'll miscarriage a second time in a row, and if you do, you'll know for certain its no longer 'a non-issue.'

Lots of baby dust!

Hi @LucyAnne34 I know this is an old post just wondering how you got on. I have high LH and Testosterone and recently had a chemical pregnancy. Very worried.