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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Denied IVF because of FSH levels?

9 replies

stuarts · 05/07/2008 13:49

After failing to conceive we were referred for IVF.

However, we had our appointment with the IVF specialist (NHS) last week only to be told that they would not perform IVF on us (unless we would provide a donor egg) because my FSH levels are over 12 (15.7 at the last count).

Just wanted to know if this is usual? Has anyone else been in this situation?

Thanks

OP posts:

newbishad · 05/07/2008 19:19

Hi Stuarts,

Although I have been through IVF this hasn't happened to me. I'm not a medic or anything but I think there might be ways around this. I could be wrong but I would do the following if it was me...

I think some centres will treat you with a high FSH level, why not shop around. The success rates might be lower though...not sure and I would ask.

Have you considered donor eggs. I know it's not for everyone but I have heard of someone who was sucessful with donor eggs and if I remmeber rightly their FSH levels were also high. The couple went to Spain.

Lots of love,

NS XXX

Friendlypizzaeater · 05/07/2008 19:21

Was it just one reading ? They normally take them over a few months as it can go up and down. Have you looked at the fertility friends web pages, some people on their have reduced theirs.

Good luck.

TattyCatty · 05/07/2008 19:24

I had IUI, so am not an expert on IVF or FSH levels, as they weren't an issue for me (although plenty of other things were!) but I would agree with newbishad and also recommend getting a second opinion. Have a look at this website which is full of fantastic support for all aspects of fertility treatment, and I'm sure that somebody will be able to answer your question in a bit more detail.

TattyCatty · 05/07/2008 19:25

See - two of us have recommended the same website in 5 minutes! It must be good . Almost as good as Mumsnet!

soosy · 05/07/2008 19:59

Stuarts is this a private clinic you have been to? Private clinics are more likely to turn you down as they have to produce results. Try an NHS clinic. Also read Natural solutions to infertility by Marilyn Glanville she has some good tips for lowering FSH levels which work. Good Luck!

Original poster

stuarts · 05/07/2008 22:01

Thank you so much for all yoru messages.

It was an NHS clinic. To do it privately we'd have to borrow money so we were really excited that we were going to get a go on the NHS - only to be dropped the bombshell when we went for the appointment.

I had my blood tested for two months running - both times FSH was over 12. The IVF clinic is going to do the test one more time (the previous tests were done by my consultant that referred me to the IVF clinic) on my next day 2 - which should be sometime in next couple of weeks. He thinks it very unlikely it will have dropped below 12 but, if on the odd chance it has, they will do IVF.

He did mention the donor eggs to us. We have discussed it and decided we couldn't do it with someone we know so would have to be anonymous donor. The waiting list here is really long so we'd have to look at abroad (I'm 39 in Oct). I have heard the the IM clinic in Barcelona is particularly good but I just got an email back from them saying that the cost for one cycle is £7,500! We've not written it off yet but obviously have to seriously consider it as it's a lot of money to borrow just for one attempt.

The one thing I haven't checked on yet us this - I have heard that, with some NHS clinics, if you find someone to donate their eggs (we have a friend that has offered) then their donation goes into the clinic's pool and, in return, we jumpt to the top of the waiting list (so we get the next anonymous donor) - I need to see if my clinic does this, it is St Mary's in Manchester - does anyone know?

I hope there is a solution as feeling very much like it is the end of the line at the moment

Thanks
x

OP posts:

minster · 06/07/2008 19:13

The Lister specialise in treating women with raised FSH - they have excellent results. It may be worth having a consultation there (it costs about £150), if only to get another opinion before moving on to donor egg. For many women giving up the genetic link is a big deal, lots of drs are so pragmatic about it (it'll will improve your chance of success, that much is true) that they don't take the emotional impact into consideration.

Spain is very expensive. South Africa is cheaper & the have a wide pool of donors (more northern European looking than Spain - if that's an issue for you - you can wait ages for a blue or green eyed/blonde haired donor in Spain) but still not cheap. There are excellent clinics in Russia, Ukraine, Poland & the Czech Republic. In terms of price & logistics the CR is great I know lots of women who've been treated there very successfully. Sana Repromeda & Reprofit get excellent donor egg results - when I was looking (last year) a cycle was about £3,000 & flight are really cheap.

anniemac · 07/07/2008 14:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Talksunderwater · 09/07/2008 11:00

The private IVF clinic I went to (London Women's Clinic) does donor egg and I think that they have a deal where if a friend donates eggs to clinic then you bump up to top of list for anonymous eggs and get IVF free (or something like that). Perhaps worth checking out? They have a website.

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