NHS eligibility

[LR16]

Hi All

I have this morning had a telephone call with my consultant (who we have been to privately whilst waiting for our first NHS appointment, so that we can try and reduce investigations needed). He said that once we get a decent sample from my husband, he would be happy to proceed with ICSI. To date, my results have been pretty normal and he didn’t raise any concerns.

Having then done some research on the NHS process (basically trying to work out how quickly we can get going), we spoke to a lady who detailed the funding criteria. I have always been confident that we’d be fine on that however I’ve now had a panic regarding my BMI. I am a small frame and so my BMI is and always has been (as an adult) between 18-18.5. I now understand that your BMI for IVF funding has to be between 19-30. Given that I eat very healthily and in no way look malnourished, can I assume that the clinic will exercise some flexibility on this? Has anyone had experience with this issue? I keep telling myself that they would encourage healthy eating over a fairly general calculation of what is meant to be a healthy range. As I mentioned, the other consultant hasn’t flagged this, though I assume that is because he’s at a private clinic and they don’t have the same criteria.

Any experience of this would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much x

[Hidden]

I’m sorry I don’t have any experience of this. I think the lower end of BMI is to make sure it isn’t having any impact on your periods. If your cycles are regular and your LH and FSH bloods are fine, I hope that the clinic would be fine with it . Check with your consultant (he might not have flagged because they’re in private mode) and wear a few layers to the appointment just to up your weight a bit???? Good luck xxx

[LR16 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, completely regular cycles and hormones. And I definitely don’t look underweight, it’s just the BMI calculation isn’t on my side. Good thinking re layers!

I’d be devastated if it all got delayed, which is why I worry.

Thank you for getting back to me x

[Hidden in reply to LR16]

I can understand your worry but I hope it all works out for you! Wear some boots too! I never got weighed at any of my appointments so maybe if you don’t look underweight they won’t bother. Xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

In my area the lower cut off is 18 for BMI I think. I have been weighed a number of times but my BMI is 19 so they’ve never commented even though I actually do look pretty skinny and bony!

In your case, I’d be tempted to eat a lot of cake to make sure I hit 19 to be honest, and wear heavy clothes/boots as others have suggested. I would hope that they wouldn’t be jobsworths about it if your cycle is still regular and you ovulate, but I wouldn’t take the risk personally!

[LR16 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Our definitely confirmed that it was 19. I guess I’ll gind out more when I speak to the NHS consultant, but it’s just another thing to think about which goes against my efforts to eat as healthily as possible. Hate all of these restrictions, which have such a massive impact on your life. Thank you for your message and I hope that everything goes well for you x

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to LR16]

The hoops are not always there for good medical reasons. Sometimes it’s just to deliberately reduce the numbers of people who are eligible for financial reasons. It sucks when it might make you eat less healthily than you otherwise would. This journey is full of restrictions. I do hope the NHS consultant provides light and hope x

[penny24]

Hiya, my area require a bmi of 19 and I measured in at 19.1 so they allowed it. The consultant never said anything but it was the nurse that measured me. I was told by my clinic they get more success stories with a bmi between 20-25 so I have been advised to gain weight before my next round.

When you get measured have a full bladder, wear heavy clothes and make the appointment after a meal 😉 good luck with your round. Xxx

[LR16 in reply to penny24]

Yes I’ll be doing everything I can! I honestly don’t think I’d be any healthier if I had a higher BMI but I guess it might just be another box to tick, which is part of this journey that I’m not loving at the moment.

Thank you for getting back to me and I really hope your next round goes amazingly for you! Xxx

[Hidden]

Hello. I am on the other end of the scale with a BMI just over 35. I was told to lose weight just to have investigations done and I have but I am still too heavy for IVF or ICSI which is what the specialist recommends if we want to conceive. I had no issues or problems following my investigations and the issue is my husbands sperm.

I try to lead a healthy lifestyle in many ways. I exercise, have a physical job, quit smoking many years ago and i very rarely drink. My GP has tested me for all sorts inc diabetes and says that I am very healthy for my size. I have a large frame, size 8 shoe size and am 5ft 8 inches tall barefoot.

Unfortunately for me the specialist says she will not give me IVF until my BMI is within the NHS range under any circumstances and the fact that I m 40 soon means I don't have enough time to lose the weight. I have been told I'd be referred to a dietician at the initial consultation back in December and I got the consultant to re refer me when I saw her in March but I still haven't had an appointment. It amost seems as though the NHS will go to any lengths to reduce the number of IVF tretments they'll do.

I wish they'd take my overall health into consideration but unfortunately where I live they just work off the criteria they have and it will probably cost me my only cance to have my own child. I hope and pray that it's not the case for you but I think they'd rather you stuff yourself with unhealthy food to get you over their BMI range than for you to be healthy and either under or over.

Someone suggested to put weights in one's underwear at least in the initial stages but I don't know if that would work.

Keep us updated and the very best of luck to you

[LR16 in reply to Hidden]

I’m so sorry to hear this and I feel terribly sad for you that they are being so rigid about BMI when you are actually healthy. It is so desperately unfair that people who are healthy and so determined to have a child and who would be such wonderful parents are being deprived of the opportunity. I just don’t understand why they won’t at least try for you - your body should be the judge when it is given the chance of IVF; given your results, there is every chance that you’d have a successful cycle. It’s appalling that people can play God over other people’s lives in such circumstances - it’s terribly unjust. I really hope and pray that someone with sway at your clinic steps in to help your situation.

I will see what the position is for me at my NHS consultation. There seems to be mixed experiences with some people being weighed and others not, so I don’t really know what to expect. I just resent that fact that they might try and find fault with me when all of my reproductive tests have been fine and I have confidence that my reproductive health is normal.

I sincerely hope that you and your husband are given the opportunity you deserve. Sending prayers and luck xx

[Hidden in reply to LR16]

Thank you and the same to you. Let's hope they don't weigh you or aren't very strict xx