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Original poster

Private amh vs NHS amh

18 replies

Ems123456789 · 24/09/2021 10:06

Hi all

I’m wondering if anyone can shed light on a similar experience. After some initials nhs fertility tests earlier this year I was told to go away and try for another year. I took it upon myself to pay for a private AMH test as the NHS don’t offer it initially. Sure enough it came back as low ovarian reserve at 6.85. I sent it to the GP who referred me for NHS funded IVF. However they said they couldn’t accept the private test and needed to do their own and it would have to be above 5.4 in order for me to get funding. It came back as 2.8!!!! Only 12 weeks between the tests. The NHS told me I didn’t therefore meet the criteria and there was nothing they could do apart from give me another test (next month). I’m so frustrated because the private test was the correct result. Now we are having to face the prospect of paying ££££ for IVF. Has anyone ever had a similar experience?

OP posts:
Annabell1 · 24/09/2021 16:51

Hi Ems,
I have also done my first AMH test private and have just done another one through the NHS.
For me it was the other way around, my latest results are much better than the one taken 2 years ago, which seems odd.
So I really recommend to look after yourself and to take some supplements (CoQ10, Antioxidants, Vid D!) and retake the test through the NHS in a few weeks time. I'm crossing my fingers for you.

Juno231 · 24/09/2021 21:08

Hm I would honestly get your AMH redone just for some clarity on which result is most accurate.

IsabelHerna · 26/09/2021 15:37

I would wait one month and then take the test both privately and with nhs. Then compare the 2. Good luck!

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 26/09/2021 15:47

Why do you assume that it was the private test that was correct the NHS one that was incorrect? Is it more accurate if you pay for it? Or because it came first? This could actually be fantastic news and your ovarian reserve could be much better than you’d feared.

Annabell1 · 27/09/2021 12:52

@Ems123456789 which cycle day did you do the test?

MabelG · 27/09/2021 13:03

Yes I had two AMH tests done 3 days apart, both NHS (done twice due to error by second phlebotomist who didn't realise it had already been done) and they came back as two vastly different results!

Original poster
Ems123456789 · 27/09/2021 13:27

Thank you all for your comments.
@Annabell1 yes I’m on those supplements already so that’s good to know I’m on the right track. I did the test initially on day 21 and then new one on day 28. I have rebooked for day 21 again. The doctor tells me it makes no difference but I figure it’s worth a shot.

@SweetBabyCheeses99 it’s not that I assume the nhs one is incorrect as such. It’s just more the disparity between the 2 in just 12 weeks which has then put me under the threshold for funding. The re-test should help clarify.

Thanks @MabelG do you mind me asking how many points different they were? I had 4.4 points between mine.

OP posts:
MabelG · 27/09/2021 13:32

@Ems123456789 I can't remember precise numbers but it was 6. something down to 3. something

Original poster
Ems123456789 · 27/09/2021 13:55

Thanks @MabelG that’s really useful

OP posts:
Annabell1 · 27/09/2021 15:06

Ems123456789
My fertility clinic recommended to test the AMH between cycle day 3 and 6.
I have also seen a report which suggests that AMH could potentially be higher in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase of the same cycle. Not sure whether this is true, but if you need a high value to be accepted for IVF, maybe try to take the test on CD 3-6 next time?

Original poster
Ems123456789 · 27/09/2021 15:49

Thank you @Annabell1 this is really good to know as the NHS Fertility doctor had told me it made no difference what day. Thank you.

OP posts:
TTCno1G · 09/01/2022 00:49

Hi@Ems123456789, sorry I know this is an old post but wondered what the outcome was with the AMH tests? Was the NHS one more accurate and did you manage to get funding? Thanks.

Original poster
Ems123456789 · 09/01/2022 07:40

Hi @TTCno1G I tested again a few months later with the nhs and it had gone down even more to 1.8! I spoke to them private consultant and he said this is quite common and that the only reasons it could be is because the private clinic and nhs use different machines or that it’s just gone down. Anyway long story short we have now started our private round of IVF and I’m on day 8 of injections.
Luckily around the same time we found out we wouldn’t get nhs funding my husband got offered some extra money at work to go abroad and do a project so he did and that’s help us fund a round, otherwise I’m not sure what we would have done.

OP posts:
TTCno1G · 09/01/2022 10:06

Thanks for responding @Ems123456789, I have just started looking at IVF clinic as I have low AMH and endometriosis. Sorry to hear your level dropped again but glad you are able to start your IVF journey.

Do you mind me asking where you are having your treatment? and how do you find them treating low AMH? Good luck and hope this is the round for you! xx

Original poster
Ems123456789 · 09/01/2022 10:27

@TTCno1G no worries at all. I am having treatment at the agora clinic in Hove, Sussex. I live just 20 minutes from the clinic and also work fairly nearby so it’s easy for me. I considered two clinics in London but the costs were more than we could afford and then I’d have to stay up there. I know 2 people who have had IVF at the agora, both succeeded, 1 after 2 rounds and 1 after 3 rounds. The former had an amh of 5.4 and so I felt if she managed to succeed there then it was perhaps a good sign. My protocol is designed for low amh but as we know sometimes it takes a few rounds for them to get it right. I’ve also done the access fertility refund programme where if after 2 rounds we don’t succeed we would get 50% of our money back. Sorry to hear you are also experiencing the low amh diagnosis as well as endometriosis. Are you able to access nhs treatment?

OP posts:
TTCno1G · 09/01/2022 17:19

@Ems123456789 thanks for the info and it’s nice to hear success story! Using access fertility is a good idea, I have done a lot of research recently and would like to use the scheme if they would take me on. I need to have lap done for my endo issues back in Nov and won’t have my follow up appointment with the NHS gynaecologist till Feb. I was previously told that I would be eligible for funding but that was a year ago. (My AMH was on 5.4) if they make me do another test, it has probably decreased since then so I am looking into private options. Also my CCG would only offer one round and with all my issues, I’m not too optimistic that I would be that lucky.

Original poster
Ems123456789 · 09/01/2022 20:40

@TTCno1G I hope that you may be able to still get some support from the nhs. I found it so frustrating because the private clinic I’m now paying is the one I would have had nhs treatment at and there was no nhs waiting list so it was just that darn amh score which was the only barrier. However for what it’s worth, once I got passed that and we got the money by together you forget about the previous frustrations and just concentrate on the process. I wish you the best of luck and if you ever want to chat further let me know.

OP posts:
TTCno1G · 10/01/2022 13:33

Thanks @Ems123456789 for your kind wishes and same to you too!

The whole nhs funding is just so frustrating. I know of someone live not far from me would allow 2-3rounds and we will only ever allow one round. Definitely just focus on the process and fingers crossed this will be your lucky round :) Would be lovely to keep in contact and let me know how you get on with your treatment! xx

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