Pre-IVF tests - worth it? cost?

[emilyclementine]

Hi - hope this is the right board!

I’m thinking of getting an AMH test and scan for a follicle count, as I’m 36 and planning to go for IVF in a year (same sex couple so using a donor, plus with age i assume I’ll sadly skip IUI).

I’d like an idea of what I’m looking at in terms of urgency to get on with it (a few life events mean it’ll be about a year anyway but should I be doing everything to be ready to go asap) and whether I’ll need more or less medication. I’m also just curious tbh!

If you did this beforehand do you think it was worthwhile? With hindsight.

And looking at prices, where did you go/what did you pay? I see London Women’s Clinic does it for £545 which is a lot but includes the consultation. Googling I can’t find many comparators - and assume I need to see a doctor as well as do the actual tests so they can interpret them for me. London based, any suggestions gratefully received!

I can't relate much as I got my amh done via nhs and AFC I had a private scan and they did the same but what I would say is there's no point testing either if youre going to do ivf as they don't necessarily give you the best results. I was 33 at testing and have really high amh and afc and only got 2 blasts which were top quality and the first didn't take and if I'm honest I have no hope for the next. Yet I know someone who had low amh and afc and got the same number of blasts and it worked first time. Same your money if you ask me. The trick seems to be finding the best clinic that works for you eg they will tailor it. If you really want it just push your doctor for it. No reason why they shouldnt be able to do it.

I also know a same sex couple who had both their children around or older than you both via iui. It is all up to you. Can you not got on the nhs now? Ridiculous if you can't because of being same sex - the world needs to grow up!

Absolutely vital to get the tests done asap so you know what journey you've got ahead. If you go now you're armed with the info and know whether you have time to wait another year. I went to care fertility and they were amazing. Good luck!

@emilyclementine i wouldn't get the tests done now unless they'd be valid for when you start IVF otherwise you'll be paying twice.

Also, my experience of IVF with donor sperm is that the clinic paperwork, choosing sperm, getting it shipped etc. can take a few months. So if you want to actually start IVF in a year I'd suggest starting at a clinic in 6 months so everything is ready in time.

@ingkir agree with everything you're saying here but I also wished I had had tests done earlier to get a snapshot of where I was up to. I waited a year or so and my results came back as very low amh. If I'd known it was going to be such a slog I wouldn't have put it off xx for me I feel now forewarned is forearmed

Hello!
I am in the same situation. 33, same sex relationship. Sperm donor. We did IUI twice last week in IVI London (which I do not recommend). Now we just started IVF with CRGH. After first consultation they wanted me to make: AMH, AFC, 3dSiS, vitamin D level plus full virology. I had already rubella test done in IVI and CRGH accepted it. Plus CMV if you use sperm donor (I am negative and I found negative donor as well, which is quite difficult). Because of using donor sperm, one consultation with the counselor was required. Everything was done very quickly, first consultation we had at the end of March and I already take medicines.
I do not recommend IUI because of the financial reason. It costs around 1200 GBP but you have to done some tests before (virology, rubella, consultation with counselor, CMV, HyCoSy) and you have to order a sperm. The succes rates is really low. You will spend in realistic way around 3.5-4k GBP for around 12% of chance. Not worth it IMHO.

*last year ;)