Trying not to freak out - high FSH levels

[jemimafuddleduck]

Hi all

I haven't been TTC for that long - 6 cycles. Ive been on the pill for 16 years so don't know what my "normal" cycle looks like.

First month off the pill I had a 29 day cycle but since then it's been 22-23 days and very light periods (I could probably get away with one sanitary towel per day - I don't because that'd be gross!)

I have been using OPKs and have had positive results when I've used them.

I went to the doctors just to have a chat and he ordered some blood tests. I've just had a phone call to say my FSH is 17.4 and should be between 1-9. I've got a phone appointment on Friday so will find out more then.

I had the test on day 4 and was will on my period.

Of course I've googled it and am reading all sorts which is terrifying me! I know I need to just wait to see what the doctor says, but can anyone advise me on this? Does the fact that it was on CD4 (and therefore slightly late) make a difference? I usually ovulate around CD11-12.

I'd be really grateful for any input.

Scan will likely be an internal & possibly external scan just to check there's no other problems going on.
Refferal time in my area is currently running at 6-8weeks which is amazing. I rang to check approximately how long when we were reffered to see if we needed to go private but decided to wait as it was short & we knew I'd need surgery that the NHS would cover.

@rainbowgrimm thanks! 6-8 weeks still seems a long time though when you're feeling anxious!

So I seem to have ovulated, I had a temp decrease then 3 x increases after my peak opk... does this mean I'm still fertile? Does fsh make ovulation less likely or does it mean the eggs aren't of a good quality? Does anyone know? @mishmoshery @Lauren83 @hoping2018

It doesn't make ovulation less likely and it doesn't effect egg quality.

Just indicates how many are left and how you might respond to ivf drugs.

Hi all. So I've had my day 21 test results back - progesterone is 36 and fsh is now 2.8... it was 17.4 on day 3 test?! Does anyone know what this means? Does it mean my fsh is normal now?!

Sadly no, they always view the highest fsh as where you're at! Unfortunately! So there's no going back/no improvinf. Day 3 is most accurate too

@hoping2018 Thanks for your reply. The fact that I'm definitely ovulating is good though, right? I haven't had a date through yet for my scan, just feel like I want to know where I'm at and then can be fully informed.
Would you say from my results it's likely that I have low egg reserve and the eggs I do have aren't good quality or do you think it's difficult to tell?

If your fsh is 17, yes it’s likely you have low egg reserve. However- egg quality doesn’t have a test to Measure it- no such thing exists. Egg quality is what counts the most on getting pregnant. If your younger, egg quality is likely to be better.

@Chattycat78 thanks.
Feeling really crappy about things today, I have to say. And I don't really have anyone to talk to about it in real life as no-one knows we're ttc. I can talk to DH of course but I don't want to keep banging on about it to him

I totally get it- but

• you are only 32- this is massive in your favour. Trust me on this one.
• you haven’t been trying that long- it might seem like it and I totally understand- but at this point - I really don’t think all Is lost. Honestly.

@Chattycat78 Thank you. I know all is not lost, I haven't been trying long (there are many many people who are much more justified in feeling this way than me!!) and I know my age is in my favour. I'm just having a bit of a pity party 😕

Hi Jemima, I just wanted to get in touch as I'm in a similar position. Ttc 8 months (though 10 cycles as mine are on the short side too). I've had day 3 fsh levels tested 3 x now... = 9, 11 and, most recently, 17. Day 21 progesterone has been above 30 so shows I'm ovulating but still no luck. My GP isn't concerned so dh and I are paying to see a specialist at our local ivf clinic for their opinion. I can't tell whether we should keep ttc naturally or if my high fsh spells doom and gloom. I'm 34 and ttc #1.

P.S. I also totally get the feeling crappy about it. I've been finding this ttc lark (and the high fsh levels especially) an emotional rollercoaster.

Hi @Booksandbaths1 sorry to hear that you're going through the same thing and your GP isn't being very proactive! It's a horrible feeling isn't it 😕 have you actually booked in with a private consultant yet? When's your appointment?
I'm still waiting for my GP to refer me for my scan - the letter should be here by tomorrow but if it's isn't I'm going to chase it and potentially go private if it's much longer!

Hi @Booksandbaths1, there's an article I posted further down on this thread from gp online saying fsh >9.5 warrants urgent referral. I emailed that to my GP after she had coded my FSH of 12 as normal and I was then referred straight away.

High FSH does not mean you're not ovulating - so doesn't rule you out from conceiving naturally. It'd also not a marker of quality - age is a much better factor for this. It's meant to be an indicator of ovarian reserve (alongside AMH and AFC which you need checking) which is only really a factor if you need IVF.

I'm 32 my FSH is 12, AMH 8 and my AFC was reassuring (don't know exact number). But to be honest this hasn't even been very accurate in predicting my response to ivf (ivf for DH reasons) I surprised them all and got 20 eggs in first cycle, they've now reduced down my drugs for cycle 2 and still got 22 eggs. In 2ww currently with 2x3 day embryos but also ended up with two frozen embryos! So try not to panic too much - I would get on with things though so private appointment sounds sensible (I did the same but by the time I was seen they'd had my gp letter so changed it to nhs)

Hope that Helps

Thank you ladies, this is so comforting to hear some good advice. I can be hard not to feel a bit lonely in all of this. I've got my private appmt today, eek... feeling nervous. Had nhs scan 2 months ago and it was fine. I will ask about amh/afc tests today - though I must admit, after the fsh I get worried at every test now that the results will be bad.

@Booksandbaths1 Good luck today. Do you know what's going to happen today? I assume they won't scan you if you've already had a scan?
Although my fsh levels are high, my progesterone shows that I am ovulating so it's definitely possible. (However as I have not had a bfp it makes me worry that the quality of my eggs is bad!)

@hoping2018 I haven't logged in to the link you sent to see the full article but ironically the author (Dr Walker) is the same doctor I saw at my clinic today!

@jemimafuddleduck Thank you! The appointment was really useful, I'm so glad we went. I did have another scan and this was to look at antral follicle count. Which was fine apparently. And they've taken bloods for AMH. Also I've been asked to repeat progesterone for 1 wk after ov, rather than 1 wk before af.
Doctor felt that as I'm ovulating and my dh's semen analysis was ok (though not marvellous) we should keep trying for another 6 months before pursuing treatment. But if my forthcoming results weren't good then he'd be in touch to discuss options. He did say FSH is an indicator but a crude measurement for fertility. Obviously they don't have a crystal ball but I really felt it was a useful appointment.

@hoping2018 I'll keep my fingers crossed for your 2ww. I find the waiting the absolute pits when trying naturally so I can't imagine it after ivf. Good luck girl!!

@Booksandbaths1 mr Walker is also my consultant!

Interestingly he told us to go straight to ICSI - I assume my DH's counts must have been worse! X

@hoping2018 Good luck on your TWW! Must be torture!

@Booksandbaths1 sounds like a good appointment although if they said to me to try for another 6 months I'd be gutted!

We are in a bit of a situation as prior to deciding to ttc we booked a holiday for this September to a Zika country. I really have my heart set on getting my bfp before then as at least it'll be a consolation for not going on the trip. If I don't get my bfp it'll mean that we can't ttc for 6 months afterwards as either we will both go or DH will go on his own. If that makes sense?!

@Booksandbaths1 just realised you've only been trying 8 months so that's probably why. We were on a year with no contraception when we saw him x

@jemimafuddleduck @hoping2018
Are we all in the south west? Could something in the water be causing our high fsh?! 😂
@hoping2018 That's really interesting you're seeing Dr Walker too. How have you found the experience at Bath clinic? My dh's sa is 30-40 million p/ml which seemed low but might be ok. Time will tell I guess.
@jemimafuddleduck Oh crikey, that's such a tough situation. Have you taken medical advice re travel? I don't know much about zika, can you get tested/treated when you return? I too had really hoped I'd be pregnant by now. But you've still got a decent chance each month. Maybe worth thinking about getting your partner checked if you haven't already?

@Booksandbaths1 I am in the south west actually! How funny! I think there are some private tests you can have when you return - but when ttc it's about the male as the virus can live in the sperm. I'm just hoping I don't have to worry about it as it's a way off yet... but will look into it in a lot more detail in July if we are still not pregnant.
DH had blood tests this week and all came back fine. He is going to have his semen tested, just waiting for an appointment to come through.