Success with high BMI? or wait 2 years with low AMH?

[luthien]

Hey so as time isn't a factor for us, I'm 37 soon, we've been told to go for IVF as soon as possible, but to be eligible for NHS my BMI needs to be below 30.

Currently my BMI is 34, I have hypothyroidism which I didn't know was causing my weight gain, I'm getting that under control, it'll probably need a few more dose adjustments at about 8 weeks apart, so that already takes us to probably about 4 months before starting. I have low AMH (5.6). I really don't want to delay too much so we're looking at going private which hasn't got a BMI restriction but don't want to go down that route if there's no point.

For information I am 170cm height, weight of 95kg currently. I've already lost 2.5kg since December but it seems to have slowed. I tend to gain muscle easily when working out and love HIIT, I've been doing more of since lockdown which is probably why I hadn't noticed the weight gain. I do have a bit of a stomach; I thought that was the working from home sitting; I try to move around more in the office plus I cycled to and from work (14 mile round trip per day).

The suggestion from the NHS of losing about 25kg in the space of a few months just isn't doable nor healthy, I'm not a slim petite built woman, I'm quite wide in the shoulder and hip bones. Looking at target apps it suggest naturally and healthy loss in about 18 to 24 months. I just don't have that time and have never been that slim, sure I can get down to 80kg but I look like I'm ill not healthy, I used to be that about 10 years ago and was told to put on some weight by my GP - hence I work out lots.

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Maybe just to give u a little hope in losing weight I was roughly the same height and weight I lost 42lb in 5/6 mths with slimfast and calorie control was the easiest diet I’ve done I kept it off for 8mths then fell pregnant currently 28w. I hopefully want to get back on it after birth.

[LCharlton]

I was 38 and in a similar position (though slightly higher weight and higher AMH tbh) and the consultant said to us that if there was any way to afford it, he would suggest going private immediately rather than waiting to lose the weight - I wish we had done that, there's no way to know if it would have worked but it certainly didn't work out for us nearly 2 years later when we were finally able to do our first IVF cycle.

I hate to say it, but the only way I was able to get down to the NHS weight limit was actually to totally stop exercising (because muscle weighs more and their formula doesn't take that into account) together with a very low calorie diet, it wasn't good for me at all.

[luthien in reply to LCharlton]

Thanks for replying

That's what I'm concerned about - the waiting around two years to lose weight for the NHS one and all the while not being able to do the sports I love. I really enjoy pole fitness and aerial silks; two things I can actually do, so really keen to get back into those when classes start back. Both these put on muscle, the thought of giving them up 😱

We can go private and are at a point in life where in a few months time (thyroid levels acceptable) we would be ready for IVF.

[jengi]

Hello and thanks for sharing. Well done on your weight lost so far and good luck with getting your thyroid meds sorted. I have been through an IVF journey with very low AMH. Much lower than yours, at 38 mine was 1.4. Do you have any idea of your antral follicle count or your FSH levels? My advice would be don't hang around, just get cracking with getting embryos created. You can always store your embryos if you want to loose weight before transferring them. Do you know how many rounds you are eligible for on the NHS or any idea of how long the current waiting list is? With my NHS clinic, i was only entitled to one because i was over 35 and they don't offer any IVF to women over 40. If it's just one, then i would head down the private route. As long as you are fit and healthy that is all that matters. If in the future you manage to get down to the required BMI for the NHS then you can always go back to the NHS to use up your round. Wishing you lots of luck Xx

[luthien in reply to jengi]

Hey thanks for replying!

I've no idea on my antral follicle count - my fertility specialist said it was low when carrying out a transvaginal ultrasound, and asked about early menopause in the family (I don't know). Not sure if it makes a difference when in my cycle they look; CD 2. I think they'll look at my FSH when we've decided we'll go for IVF.

Good idea on the storing them, I didn't even think about that.

I would currently be eligible for 2 rounds on the NHS, at the moment. If I waited I think the cut off is 40 years so really not long. I haven't asked about the wait list, good idea to check.

Other than the weight which is really BMI (not taking into account actual fat, shoulder width or body frame, if you get what I mean) and thyroid which I am on medication, there's nothing else. Can't wait for my pole fitness and aerial silks to start back!

Thanks xx

[jengi in reply to luthien]

Good luck! The BMI cut off is so arbitrary. That’s great news that you are entitled to two rounds on the NHS.