AFC Scan - what is an approximate expected follicle count for a 41 year old?

[PaulaDag]

I am booked for my first AFC scan this Friday after 4 miscarriages naturally in the last 2 years. I am 41 years old (42 this July).

I am wondering what is a reasonable follicle count for my age? What can I roughly expect to be a good count versus a bad count?

Feeling nervous as whether we can proceed with PGS IVF treatment depends on the outcome of this scan.

Also I have an AMH blood test on Friday - what is a good/bad result in terms of the pmol/L number?

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear about your MC, I’ve had 3 in the last 2 years so know some of your pain.

I am 43. When I started IVF at 40 my AMH was 18, and they found 20 follicles. In my most recent bloods in January my AMH was 11.8 and I was told that is high for my age and would normally be between 3 and 7. The last couple of IVF rounds I’ve had about 11-13 follicles (most recent round in February) And again I was told that was high for my age

Clearly that’s not scientific fact! But hopefully it helps. Good luck xx

[PaulaDag in reply to Hidden]

Hi Daisy, thanks for information and I am so sorry for your losses. It's good to have an indication of what to expect tomorrow. Fingers crossed my results are as good as yours

Thank you again - I'll probably post again when I get the results xxx

[Bluebell89]

So sorry to hear about your MC, I’ve had 2 in the last 3 years too.

My last AMH was 5.7 in Dec (I’m 42.5 now), and having another test this week. Had 16 follicles at a scan last week which really surprised me. One side is much better than the other which I knew but the gynae said that the good side was great for my age, and the less good side more normal for someone pushing 43 (my words not hers!).

Stay positive and good luck! About to start the next round of ivf here. Fingers crossed for us all xx

[Hope9931 in reply to Bluebell89]

Hi Bluebelle

Did you have 16 follicles without stimulation? That’s a great number.

Do you mind me asking with who you are doing the treatment? And what medication are you taking .

I was on meriofert 300 and fyremadel from day 5 of the stimulation.

Thanks !! All the best ! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[Bluebell89 in reply to Hope9931]

Hi there - sorry, just seen this. Yep 16 follicles, without stimulation.. I nearly fell off my perch.

Last time I was on Meriofert 450 but I think it’ll be 300 this time around. Not taking anything else in prep other than the usual ttc vitamins xx

[Hope9931 in reply to Bluebell89]

Hi Bluebell

That’s a great number! Fingers crossed! Hopefully successful this time!

[PaulaDag in reply to Bluebell89]

Hi Bluebell,

I am so sorry to hear about your MC's.

I think I may end up having one side better than the other like you, because one of the sonographers that diagnosed my last MC said one of my ovaries is quite hard to move/doesn't 'slide' well under ultrasound. I guess this remains to be seen tomorrow with the gynae though.

Thanks for the indication of numbers, am already getting nervous to know how many follicles I have

Good luck with the next round of ivf, I'm keeping everything crossed for you xx

[Hope9931]

Hi Paula

Really sorry for the miscarriage. I am 41, (42in October). Don’t worries too much about follicles count and AMH. Is a picture for them but not an accurate result. My AMH in September last year was 9.7 they said a good number considering my age. Follicles count was 7 . I had an IVF in November and they collected me only 3 eggs ,2 fertilised , one top quality one average. They put be back one after 3 days and I got pregnant. Unfortunately I have miscarriage at 8 weeks. I had a missed miscarriage. So is more important the quality of eggs. And even they look fine in a laboratory, the embryos might have chromosomes abnormality.

Try not to read and worries to much. You might be successful considering you manage to get pregnant naturally for few times. I never got pregnant naturally.

Try to be positive!! Is not easy , but what should be it will be . Everyone is different and everyone respond differently to the treatment.

Good luck and all the best ! Hope you will end with a successful pregnancy!

[PaulaDag in reply to Hope9931]

Hi Hope,

I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage.

Thanks for the reassurance. Yes I have also been reading that its just a picture for them and that it can fluctuate quite a bit depending on cycle etc. I will be day 11 of my cycle tomorrow so wondering if that affects things at all...

I have never had ivf before but I am hoping to have PGS testing done first so they know if the embryos have any abnormalities. It apparently reduces the chance of a MC as I really don't feel strong enough to go through it all again :(.

Trying to be positive but you're right its not easy. I hope ivf works for us both and we have successful pregnancies soon

xx

[Hope9931 in reply to PaulaDag]

Hi Paua

PGS is really good to have done . My first cycle of IVF was with NHS and they were not doing PGS..

Now we will go private and they are charging 1.700 per embryo to be tested.

We find that is terrible expensive and as well is nothing guaranteed. Even with PGS you still have to do a Down syndrome test .

But hopefully will work for you , for everyone who want to become parents.

Is such a long journey , but hopefully we will rich it !!! ❤️❤️❤️

[PaulaDag in reply to Hope9931]

Hi Hope,

Yes it is so expensive isn't it. We are stressed about this but they are recommending if we can afford it. Our clinic said £7,500 for PGS IVF that includes 5 embryos to be tested with 1 EC cycle. That's if they can get enough eggs during EC. If not they said extra for multiple cycles of EC to batch up enough eggs to send off for testing! it definitely seems as if it is not guaranteed and they may not get any normal embryos.

Then its extra again for multiple IVF cycles i think? Its all very confusing and i haven't a clue but this forum is really helping me learn more and ask the right questions and for that I am very grateful :).

It is a long and stressful journey but hope we can get there in the end xxxx

[PaulaDag]

Hi All,

I just thought I'd update that all went OK today I think.

My AFC scan showed 5 follicles on the left ovary and 3 on the right ovary which gyne said is normal ovarian reserve and for my age? I was a bit surprised as thought it is lower than I'd hoped and for what you all have above, as I was comparing it to your results. I queried it (as you do!) and Gyne said it could be they started their period later in life or have PCOS or generally it varies from woman to woman. He asked if it was the number on stims or natural - i said i don't know

He reassured me anyway but not sure how i feel about my results...

AMH results should be back on Tuesday.

xx

[Hidden]

Hey that’s great news! I think 8 is a good number and if you are heading for ivf the likelihood is more will appear when you stim xx

[PaulaDag in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Daisy xx