Considering IVF - help!

[luthien]

Reposting from sometime around a week ago as no one responded

So I have endometriosis and am 36, we have been TTC for about 2 years, I lose count sometimes. My AMH results are in and they're marked as low 5.6 pmol/L What does this mean?

I've read up about it and found it so confusing because it says it's dependent on the time of the month, any surgery to remove endo, age, diet, family history of early menopause. I've had surgery to remove my endo in Jan, they also drained and removed an ovarian endometrial cyst. The test was done on day 2 of my cycle. I don't know about family early menopause as both my mother and maternal grandmother had hysterectomies at about 35 (it was the "done" thing back then, they say for any "womens problems").

We don't have any children so we have seen a fertility specialist, whom says all should be good for IVF pending a few things. I need to get my thyroid levels down to below 2.2, mine is currently 7.7 so I have medication. Also I need to get my BMI to below 30 to qualify for NHS IVF, we can go private if needed, my BMI is dropping now I'm on thyroid medication. In the mean time we're carrying on trying naturally as recommended by our specialist. Hopefully I can get my thyroid levels down in about 3 months.

My hubby has been checked and his sperm count, concentration and agility are all really good, the morphology is a little on the low side but the specialist said nothing to worry about as all the other factors are really high.

Any advice really appreciated. Also we're happy to take any supplements / vitamins / creams / lubes which could help while trying naturally for the next few months in the run up to IVF. So if there's any you've found beneficial let me know.

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, sounds like you are taking the right steps to get yourselves ready. I'm not too sure about AMH levels - your clinic will be able to tailor your drug protocol to make sure you get the best results.

In prep for IVF I would definitely recommend you start taking folic acid, omega and ubiquinol (400mg a day). Also extra vitamin D as most UK people are deficient.

xx

[luthien in reply to Millbanks]

Thanks for your reply

I've started on Vitamin D, I take Flaxseed oil (Omega 3, 6 and 9). I think my standard multivitamins have folic acid in but I shall check the required dose for planning and check. Ubiquinol is that Coenzyme Q10? Would any brand therefore do?

[Millbanks in reply to luthien]

Ubiquinol is a more refined version of CoQ10 and is easier for the body to absorb - Pharma Nord do a good one. For the 3 weeks of stims leading up to my egg collection, I drank 250ml whole milk a day, in a smoothie, with blueberry powder, chia seeds and flax powder which is supposed to really help with egg quality. x

[luthien in reply to Millbanks]

I shall look up that.

Ooo on the smoothie! I don't drink dairy, but will definitely look into that mix.

[Millbanks in reply to luthien]

I'm sure you could sub it with oat milk x

[lou840]

Hi there, I can't comment on the AMH levels but I have a similar background to yours. Age 37, had excision for endo in 2019 (symptoms are back) also have adenomyosis. Have been trying to conceive as soon as I was able to post surgery. Started taking Vit D and folic acid daily but then moved on to a pre conception tablet which also included these and got my bf on a male version too. Past couple months we've been using fertility lubricant. Awaiting my bloods for progesterone back so I can be referred to fertility clinic although I don't want to go down IVF route I'm hoping they can help with some other tests. Wishing you all the best on your journey 🌻

[luthien in reply to lou840]

Thanks, it's good to hear from others in a similar situation. What supplement brand do you use? Or rather what factors made you choose the particular brand of fertility supplements? There are so many out there! It's all so confusing!

[Millbanks]

Also, there is a book called "It Starts With The Egg" which is really helpful rather than wading through all the information on the internet. x

[luthien in reply to Millbanks]

I've heard good things about that book! Adding it to my Amazon list so I don't forget

[Millbanks in reply to luthien]

I found it helpful 👍🏼

[AndreiaTrigoRN]

Hi! AMH can be a marker of how many eggs are there in the ovaries. 5.6 pmol/L is low for 36 years of age but it’s important to know that this test sometimes has false results, depending on how the sample is handled. There’s lots of info about AMH here efp.clinic/course/module-1/...

Have you had a scan to count the follicles in your ovaries already? It’s both tests together (Antral Follicle Count and AMH) that give an indication of ovarian reserve. I’m happy to talk to you over the phone to explain this a bit more.

[luthien in reply to AndreiaTrigoRN]

I've had an initial scan to check follicles at that point the fertility specialist asked if my family had early menopause (I don't know) as the count is low. That's when she said we'll do the AMH blood test.

I shall have a read of the link you've sent me.

I've read up a bit on AMH and it can vary, so isn't always reliable. The result can be lower with PCOS, ovarian cysts or post surgical removal of an ovarian cyst. I hat the latter just 5 weeks before the scan and blood test.

I think once my thyroid levels are more controlled then she'll do a full set of tests.