Come tell me about FSH

[buzzbeebee]

I am hoping someone will know more about this than I do and be able to help.

Came of pill 3 months ago and having periods every 2-3 weeks. Got blood tests done at GP and it has shown high FSH. In the 50's which they have said is premature ovarian failure. From reading I have down since it says FSH needs to be tested on day 2/3 of cycle, however mine wasn't. Could this mean my FSH is normal if tested at correct time or is it just to high to ever be normal?

Also can you have IVF with FSH this high? I also thought I wouldn't have periods with POF?

Thanks for any insight?

Hi,

I'm not an expert on this but my gp told me that FSH can be tested any day of your cycle if they're testing to check in relation to possible menopause (which was why I had the test). GP said that if it came back high then I would be asked to repeat it on day 2-5. Perhaps worth asking your gp to repeat the test?

I don't know the answer on the ivf question sorry. Hope all turns out ok for you.

My clinic said that your release of fsh is like a bugle call to summon soldiers (eggs) to the parade ground (your ovaries) at the start of the cycle.

If there are lots of ready and willing soldiers, then the bugle call doesn't need to be very loud to get their attention (low fsh) If they are fewer in number, or less willing, then the bugle needs to be louder and longer to get them to present themselves (so high fsh levels).

The test therefore needs to be carried out at the start of the cycle as this is the time when it's function is most significant.

On day 3, the level should ideally be under 10, and roughly similar to your Lh levels which should be tested at the same time.

AMH has generally taken over from FSH as being the most reliable predictor of ovarian reserve though and can be tested on any day of the cycle. Have you had that test done? If not, I'd suggest you do so. FSH testing is a bit 'old hat' these days...

To answer your question, if your FSH is above 10 on day 3, then you are less likely to respond well to the stimulation protocol of Ivf.

I'm not sure FSH readings taken at any other time actually have any predictive value tbh.

Thanks everyone that has helped my understanding

You need it repeating on cycle day 1-5 to get a proper picture.

How old are you out of curiosity, and are you ttc?

If It is high- yes you're likely not to respond to ivf drugs.

But I would check that it is high first- I don't know what the relevance of checking it at any time is.

Out of curiosity what day did u have it tested on? 50 sounds high regardless tbh

Hi @Chattycat78 thanks for your response. I did leave out it is my friend who is going through this and I am trying to gather info for her. I didn't feel it was necessary information that it wasn't for me as it would not change the info I gave or advice. I had my own fertility problems (under birchygoo) but am now lucky to have a lg.

She is 33, yes trying to conceive and I'm
Not 100% sure on what day possibly day 7-9. She is having heavy periods every 2 weeks and came of contraceptive 3 months ago. My heart is just breaking for her as I know how it feels to be in that situation, although my dr was always positive I would have a baby it was just a question of how. My friend is being told it looks like she has been through the menopause. So even more heartbreaking as I'm sure many women on this page can relate to.

So from my own research when I was going through things I remembered that FSH should have been done day 2-4 but I wasn't sure as this was never my own issue.

It's just all so unfair!

She needs more investigations- AMH, Amtrak follicle count and whatever is necessary to tests if she bleeds so often.

Will her follicles be going for a train ride, JoJo

(I'm teasing btw, you offer a lot of very sensible advice on this board )