High FSH (34) and low AMH (below 1) - any success stories?

[KJAsh]

My husband and I have started fertility treatment after two missed miscarriages last year. We have a little girl who's almost 2 but we would love her to have a brother or sister. We had one round of IUI with stims which was unsuccessful. We tried another round which got cancelled becuase I had high levels of FSH. On my next cycle the clinic tested my FSH which was 34 and said it was too high to consider treatment this month. They gave me microgynon to artificially lower my FSH levels and I will find out next cycle if this has worked. I've changed my diet - no coffee, no alcohol, low impact exercise, lots of green leafy veg, lots of supplements including 75MG DHEA a day. Looking for success stories or if anyone else has bee through this. Any advice on diet and supplements would also be grateful! Thanks so much x

How old are you OP?

High fsh and low amh means that you have low ovarian reserve, and even if your fsh is lower another month, it won’t change this fact, as you can’t increase the number of eggs you have left.

That said, it doesn’t mean that getting pregnant is impossible- but it does mean that you’re likely to respond less well to Ivf or fertility drugs, so it depends really why you’re doing the ivf or iui. You might have as much success with natural conception tbh.

Good luck.

thanks for your reply @Ilikeviognier. I'm 41. I was told before I had my DD that we had a 5% chance of success as then I had low ovarian reserve/high FSH although not as high as it is now. So DD is a little miracle! I know I don't have many eggs left but I'm hoping with a good diet, lots of dark green leafy veg, no alcohol, no coffee and the supplements that it will improve the quality of what good eggs I might have left.

We were told that IVF wouldn't work as I only have one follicle each month I've been scanned for the last 3 months. We're hoping the IUI will work although I realise the chances of success are a lot lower with IUI than IVF.

That seems slightly odd advice and not in line with what I've heard most with a low AMH be told. I'm only 31 and have a low AMH. Consultant was very clear we may conceive naturally but in terms of fertility treatment, IVF would be the only viable option. All the reading I have done online seems to say the same. IUI success rates are dire and you will likely spend a lot of money and waste a lot of time unfortunately. With such a low AMH and low AFC you are likely to respond to stims in a limited way, and are not likely to get high numbers of eggs, but you won't know until you try unfortunately. I would be tempted to get a second opinion from another Consultant to be honest.

You can't do anything to change your AMH unfortunately, but as you've said, lifestyle factors are good to optimise for other reasons such as egg quality and health through pregnancy. Did your clinic advise DHEA and have you had bloods done to monitor your reaction to it? It is a hormone, not a supplement, and can cause adverse effects if not taken under medical guidance and observation. Sounds like you've made other good changes already. Try to cut out caffeine completely rather than just coffee if you can. You could start taking the supplement ubiquinol - there is some limited low quality evidence it may help with egg quality. It takes about 3 months of use to have any effect. Good luck 🤞

My FSH was 24 and AMH 2, tried own egg IVF then moved onto donor egg, I did conceive naturally after having a son with my last donor egg cycle. If your AFC is 1 I can understand why they suggested IUI and not IVF, also IVF meds are FSH so if your levels are high you likely wouldn't respond to stims so IUI may be more suitable, that send I would question how much money I would want to throw at it when you could try naturally

thank you @MGee123 and @Lauren83 for your replies. Before our DD was born we tried IVF. At that time I was 38 and only had 4 follicles. I also ovulated too early and even with all the medication, my body didn't follow the "plan". We then went on holiday and the clinic gave me clomid as I hadn't been ovulating. We conceived whilst on holiday - we couldn't believe it!

I will cut out my daily cup of tea too @MGee123. I won't miss it and it's worth trying if we eventually get that BFP. Our clinic advised the DHEA and I also took it when I conceived DD. Our consultant specialises in advanced maternal age and she gave us a list of supplements to use. My husband and I have been taking ubiquinol for a couple of months now; we also read it's a good supplement to take.

Thank you @Lauren83 your story has given me hope! I think we are happy to try 3 IUIs and if it doesn't work we are considering donor egg.

Hi @Young126 I’m curious about DHEA, how long did you have to take it before treatment & was it prescribed by your clinic or was you able to buy online? My initial GP blood tests came back low testosterone & borderline for progesterone - currently waiting for a fertility consultation to get AMH & follicle count checked. Going private as I’ve wasted too much time waiting for my NHS referral (I’m 42).
I’d be interested in learning what supplements you took. I currently take 300mg ubiquinol and Proceive Max conception sachets

Hi @Ladybug06, I would recommend reading the book It Starts with the Egg. I'm following the advanced protocol given my age (41) and my amh/fsh. I've been taking DHEA since March this year which was prescribed by my consultant. I'm pretty sure you need a prescription for it in the UK. I'm also taking the 300mg Ubiquinone (by Pharmanord as it's supposed to be more absorbable by the body) similar to ubiquinol and Proceive Max. The other supplements I take are 1000mg omega 3 fish oils, vitamin d, methylfolate (the active form of folic acid, as my consultant said I need to take the highest dose as my body doesn't make enough), alpha lipoic acid 100mg, a probiotic. I also take Chinese herbs which I've only just started using the past 2 months. In my next cycle I will get my bloods taken and I really hope it has helped with my fsh.

When I conceived my dd, I was taking DHEA for roughly 4-5 months before we got pregnant. I honestly think it helped and there have been scientific studies proving that DHEA can help with egg health, especially in women 35+ ttc.

You will find things move a lot quicker now that you've gone private. Sending you baby dust!

@young126... How is it going with you

@KJAsh

Hi. How did you get on? I’m 41 and my last fsh test was 24 on cd2. The problem is that was with estrogen priming but do not know how much I absorbed due to taking caprylic acid with magnesium.

I’m really struggling. It seems that since I had covid in March my fsh levels have accelerated. My fsh last August was only 6.7 and amh was 16. I’ve got really bad very fast.

I feel like I’m living in a nightmare. What do you advise? Thanks

Hi @2021ivfagain ,

Sorry to hear about your fsh. I have read that diet, exercise and low stress can really help. I read a book called Inconceivable: A Woman's Triumph Over Despair and Statistics by Julia Indichova. It is very inspirational, although it did not work for me. I actually went into menopause (about 10 years earlier than most women).

My husband and I have embarked on using an egg donor to help us expand our family.

I wish you all the luck and baby dust! It is not an easy journey xx

@Young126

Thanks for your message.

Do you mind me asking if the Chinese herbs lowered fsh? I bought Chinese herbs hoping they will benefit me so I can do a frozen transfer. My clinic will not let me do a natural modified FET transfer unless my fsh is 20 or below but preferably less than 20.

I wanted to start IVF last year when hormone levels were good but the clinic were too busy until September. Then they found a paperwork problem which delayed things until October which meant I could only have one egg retrieval last year and then they closed early for Christmas.

@2021ivfagain So sorry to hear of the delay in your treatment.
That must have been very frustrating.

The chinese herbs didn't work for me but I think my hormones were past the point where I could do anything about the rising levels. However, I have heard that using Chinese herbs can be very effective so I would continue with it. My fsh jumped to 74 and then went down to 50 but that is way too high for any OE fertility treatment.

Wishing you the best of luck x

Looking for help!!! I feel completely lost 😢 I have a beautiful baby boy conceived spontaneously with no issues. We decided to try for our second when I was 38 years old. 18 months on and we’ve been hit with secondary infertility.

My husband has a low count and my AMH is now 0.16 with FSH 32. 😢
I’m in shock. It’s just such disbelief.
I feel like I’ve wasted so much time. Hit with regret big time. We don’t even qualify for IVF/ICSI - consultant recommends donor egg is our best chance for a live birth.

Im massively struggling with the DNA (or lack thereof) and birthing a child which biologically isn’t mine though I’ve been reading that most people rarely regret using a donor having grown baby and birthed it etc. I’m struggling to get my head around this.

I guess I’m just utterly heartbroken. Consultant said “nothing is impossible” and we could go on to conceive but I very much doubt it - are there any miracle stories or offerings of hope out there? I just need some inspiration. 😢

@nursesam8310

I’m really sorry. I have high fsh now. It rose to 24 last year when I took provera which affected lh. I have a son through IVF and tried to do batching afterwards but only had one good cycle. My amh and fsh were good at 40. Now I am nearly 42, so I’m preparing for FET but have been hit with recurring infections due to declining oestrogen. It is hard. If you got pregnant naturally before, there is a chance. Can you see a fertility acupuncturist?

Also you could ask your consultant about going on dhea for 2 months and also ask to do oestrogen priming to get more follicles. You could do a natural cycle where you just go with your natural cycle and release one egg. Then that egg could be fertilised and put back.

Thank you 2021ivfagain for your help with this. You’re way more clued up than I am with all this!

My consultant hasn’t really recommended anything other than donor egg. That’s all he seems interested in. Drugs like DHEA and Clomid have never been mentioned to me and I also read that vitamin D can also mask a low AMH and make it seem low when it’s not as low as it appears! Lol!

I don’t know. I probably am clutching at straws. My AMH is 0.16 (undetectably low) and my FSH is 32. I’m 39 with zero symptoms of menopause so I really feel betrayed by numbers!!!

I just wish there was some hope out there because I feel so lost 😞

@nursesam8310 Avoid clomid. That is bad with high fsh.

I have put forward your suggestion of DHEA. Did you have similar situation to me? You’re very knowledgable! How does DHEA work? I will of course do the dreaded Dr Google thing!

@nursesam8310 I’m sorry. When my fsh rose to 24 I had done oestrogen priming as well, but the provera actually impeded ovulation and affected lh. Also I had lost lots of weight on a low carb diet, which can affect hormones, and was highly stressed. The next month I did acupuncture, took dhea, took omega 3, wheatgrass and did oestrogen priming but avoided provera and my fsh dropped to 2. I did an egg retrieval but quality was not good enough. I was 41 at that point. I would say age is still on your side. Try asking about dhea and oestrogen priming.

When I first found out my fsh was high, I went into depression. I was dealing with IVF and my own declining fertility issues. Previously, my husband had low morphology hence IVF for our son.

I do find I get night sweats near my period even with oestrogen priming. Do you get this?

I would recommend wheatgrass as a starting point and ask about dhea and omega 3. All these lower fsh. You could ask about eating soy foods in moderation. You need 30g a day of wheatgrass. You could ask your doctor to check if it’s ok. Also eat oestrogen rich foods like lentils, chickpeas, sesame seeds, flaxseeds and even dark chocolate.

@nursesam8310 I did one good cycle of IVF at 40 where my amh was 16 and fsh was 6.7. Things were brilliant. I had a lot of stress in my life with my mum constantly having falls and calling ambulances. Also my dad during my pregnancy had a massive stroke and nearly died. I feel stress has accelerated my fsh. Also covid has played a role I believe. My fsh was getting bad but covid really affected my fsh, egg quality and my husband’s morphology.

I have had to research through having no help with my clinic. I was able to lower fsh but obviously suppressing it every month is a fight and very difficult. I am starting to get vaginal dryness after ovulation and near period.

@nursesam8310 Dhea works by increasing testosterone levels in body. Your body converts testosterone into oestrogen. It indirectly lowers fsh only because of the conversion to oestrogen. But micronised dhea works faster. It might be best to ask clinic and/or get testosterone tested. I would say time is of essence and my clinic recommend 25mg 3 times a day with food. So 25mg 20-30 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

@nursesam8310 Yes. When I was 38, I had low vitamin d so my amh was not as good. I increased vitamin d and it nearly doubled. I take 1000iu vitamin D 3 times a day in addition to pregnacare.

I just can’t get my head around the fact that if I’m deficient in vitamin D it could mean an inaccurate reading of AMH. Why wouldn’t they check this as standard?

My consultant just wants to do donor egg because at the end of the day it’s about results and only live birth will do but I have a son now 2 and wish to have another with my partner and I’m struggling with having a baby who shares no genetic link to me but would to my husband. His count improved albeit still low and takes Impryl and Proxeed alternate days.

I have no dryness. Sex is not uncomfortable. Periods regular as clockwork (every 25 days) and last 4 days. No history of miscarriage. No endometriosis. Nothing. Literally nothing which makes any sense. I turn 40 in July….

Its just so sad.

@nursesam8310 Do you get night sweats near period? I think this is common even when amh is higher.

What is your afc? They like a cycle to be at least 25 days but you could lengthen it with wheatgrass and dhea. How much vitamin d you take? My son is nearly 2.5 years old so I know how you feel. I only have 7 day 3 embryos which equates to 2 or 3 blastocysts due to male factor infertility. This is my last chance. Due to recurring infections and my husband’s morphology issues and now my egg quality issues, we can’t try naturally anymore. So this is it for me.

@nursesam8310 I would ask for vitamin d to be tested. In the meantime you could increase it slightly.

@nursesam8310 Do you track ovulation? If your follicular phase is shorter, this means fsh is higher. If luteal phase is shorter, you probably need progesterone support when trying naturally. Have they taken bloods to measure progesterone level. I think it is linked to vitamin d. When my vitamin d was lower, my progesterone was lower.