Low AMH, follicle count and IVF questions at 38

[Abbie2222]

Hi mums. I am 38 and have had very low AMH for the last 10 years. However, recent blood test show I’ve had a massive drop in the last year which I know can happen. It is currently 0.8pmol but prob actually lower (as I have taken DHEA for the last 3 to 4 months to improve egg quality which boosts it), so who knows how it actually is! I have 7-8 follicles apparently which is a better prognosis than AMH – does anyone know which one is more accurate?

As far as I’m aware, I am still ovulating although have had no cervical mucus last month (I wasn’t sure if this was From using progesterone suppositories or the DHEA though) - I happened to have a pelvic ultrasound last month and they said I ovulated. However cycle was a lot shorter (23 days), again unsure if this is because I’ve been using DHEA and previously used progesterone for second half of cycle. I had a very early miscarriage in February too.

Can anyone give me any tips/success stories? We are trying naturally this month before looking to do IVF at the Lister hospital next month.

Tips relating to conception or IVF are welcome (ie things to ask for or suggest re low AMH). My doctor basically said it’s just a higher dose of drugs, is that correct? I’m also already on all of the supplements you could imagine. We do have a 2.5-year-old already. Thanks so much!!!

As far as ivf goes ,AFC matters more than amh. Amh is just a hormone marker. AFC is an actual count of follicles.
I got 3 eggs from my last cycle last year (39) 2 of which made it to blast and are frozen.
I fell pregnant naturally following that round. I did have a few consecutive mcs but im now 11 weeks.
The fact you got pregnant naturally in Feb is a great sign . My consultant at clinic said my loses were just likely bad luck so we kept going a few more months and one stuck.
In his opinion he said it made him more confident ivf would work for us as many couples do many rounds and never get pregnant at all. We'd conceived the month before starting a FET

I had very low AMH at the age of 37. Regular though shortish cycles. My specialist did not think IVF was for me and suggested clomid + IUI. I conceived at 2nd attempt (and had my daughter) at 38.
Then a year later I conceived naturally and miscarried, then at nearly 40 had another IUI and missed miscarriage, and then practically the first cycle after that I conceived naturally and had my son (at 41)
So my AMH did not mean much as long as I had regular cycles. I did end up having an early-ish menopause (around 47-48) but not exceptionally long perimenopause.

Hello! Thanks so much for your response. This is reassuring. Can I ask why your doctor recommended IUI rather than ivf? What would the intent of iui be if I know exactly when ovulating? Our consultant basically said he’d blast me with drugs because my AMH is low - after researching this actually seems like the wrong / o outdated approach so I’m super worried. Thanks in advance x

Thanks for your response. Did you have low AMH too? Our consultant said he’d blast me with high dose drugs because my AMH is low but after researching this actually seems like the wrong approach. Any advice very much appreciated. Thank you! X

I had very low AMH and AFC, high dose drugs did not work for me I did three high dose cycles that all failed poor quality eggs and embryos. A natural modified approach was what worked for me. On the high dose my lead follicle the one that the body naturally recruits for ovulation would be sacrificed for a greater number of smaller follicles. Quantity over quality, where as on natural modified the growth of the lead follicle that the body naturally selects is supported with low dose drugs any other follicles that are recruited are a bonus.