Evening, I had my follow up appointment following failed first IVF cycle. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that it was going to be bad news, and it was…. In my area I am entitled to 3 NHS funded rounds so after my first one failed amongst the devastation thought at least can have two more goes! But told my AMH has dropped to less than 2.1 and I am not eligible. I am so upset they knew back in April but didn’t tell me and I would have been prepared as April is when I started my cycle. Also gutted as I only had two eggs which both fertilised and had both transferred and if I had known this was my only chance i would have frozen one. Who knows if that would have made a difference it would have lasted but at least I could have made an informed decision.
We cannot afford to fund IVF privately. They have suggested IUI after HSG test. I’m pretty sure I don’t ovulate regularly and I can get one funded round of cycle tracking after the HSG so going to try that. And if I am not ovulating try induction. I’m only 35 and devastated that I am coming closer and closer to the realisation I will never have my own baby. I just feel so hopeless and can’t face anymore bad news but trying to keep going.
Has anyone ever had success challenging CCG decision? Is there any point going down that route? Anyone had success with ovulation induction and/ or IUI with low AMH of 2? Any advice would be really appreciate! Much love and thanks in advance xxx
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So sorry to hear this lovely. My first suggestion would be to retest the AMH as it can fluctuate a bit and might be above 2.1 on a retest. I would also ask your clinic whether they feel DHEA might help as it seems it can increase AMH in some women. I know how expensive IVF is privately as we get zero funded rounds in our area (so had to pay for everything), but would you be able to take out a loan, or do a gofundme with friends and family? Xx
Hey purpledoggy thanks for your advice and suggestions. I’ve been taking DHEA since January after the doctor recommended it and hoped it would have improved mh AMH but the doctor said for me to have blood test tomorrow, but may be able to try again in a few months but she also said it’s a 10 month wait at the moment…. So tricky and so many decisions but really appreciate your kind message! Hope your pregnancy continues well xx
I will keep everything crossed for you. One thing to consider is to start saving as much as you can from now, as babies are expensive by all accounts! You may then have enough by next year to go private if you need to, and private doesn’t have the same AMH limit. One way or another, you will find a way xx
Totally understand your sadness and frustration along with feelings of hopelessness. I haven't been in the same position but have experienced being turned away from the NHS based on my AMH / FSH which were out of range for any free rounds. I am also at age 35, went to the NHS at age 34 (started trying at 33). It must be very difficult to think that you are able to continue with your next round only to then have it pulled away from you.
I had my AMH first tested in March 2020 and it was 3.5. I then had it redone at a different place and it was 9.3. The poster above has said it can fluctuate and my results support that (albeit, it was a different place). I was also recommended a couple of supplements including DHEA and Impyryl.
I can't comment on the IUI or the ovulation induction as not experienced these but hopefully other ladies may be able to give some input. Sorry you are going through this.
Thanks for your kind message they have booked me in for blood test tomorrow for AMH so don’t feel I have the time to do anything but I have been taking DHEA coq10 for a while now so hoped it had improved but based on last test in April hadn’t. That’s interesting that we are the same age and turned down for IVF based on AMH levels. After you were tested again did you manage to start IVF? It’s funny I never wanted to do IVF but feel it’s my only chance! Thanks for your positivity and good luck in your journey xxx
Awww I’m so sorry about this news. But honestly things can change. Ask them if you can retest in a few months and get yourself on some vitamins to help with egg quality- it might also up your AMH. Don’t lose hope- there has to be a way for you to be a mommy. If that clinic cannot help- go somewhere else. Everything will work out. 🙂
Also try listening to the babywhisper on YouTube she is so insightful and is an reproductive doctor. She always thinks outside the box and might have some suggestions for your next steps.
Thanks for your kind message they have booked me in for blood test tomorrow for AMH!! I have been taking DHEA coq10 for a while now so hoped it had improved! I will. Defo try baby whisperer. Thanks for your positivity snd good luck in your journey xxx
Hi I’m so sorry she is called the “egg whisper”. Here is a link and you can look around for your interest! Hopes this help! Don’t take no for an answer; this doctor encourages everyone that there is always a way. She says that most clinic like a single protocol for everyone and that’s the problem.
Thank you for your kind message!!! Need somePositivity sometimes! Just feels so far away! Good luck for your journey xxx
Hi lovely I've heard of IUI being successful with low AMH also maybe look into IVF abroad? My partner and I are considering this as the prices here are so damn expensive! You could get 2 cycles over there for the price of one here! Also I've heard natural success stories with people with low AMH given that's your only issue. Stay positive there is always a way!
Also read it starts with the egg! My AMH doubled after taking a bunch of supplements she recommended. I have the names of them on one of my posts if you're interested! Wishing you the very best! X
So sorry to hear this - it’s hard being knocked back for funding when you’re mentally ready to continue. Similar happened to me last year.
In my area FSH has to be 8.9 or below to qualify for NHS funding. Mine was tested at the point of being referred for IVF (after 6 months of Clomid) and it came back at 4 something! I’m 31. In total I’ve had it tested 4 times now, 2 consecutive months in late 2019 and 2 consecutive months in late 2020. Both times it was low then ‘normal’ (from memory 5, 12, 4, 15! - so big fluctuations). Testing that following month meant we qualified and were able to get referred. I’m now 21 weeks pregnant from our first IVF cycle. My advice is persevere and re-test. If the NHS won’t retest, enquire whether they’d accept private test results and try to get it done that way. Good luck!
I only got 2/3 of my NHS funded cycles because I was producing lots of eggs but none ever made it to blastocyst. We could have continued throwing money at own egg cycles and going through the heartbreak of it being unsuccessful but decided to go abroad and use donor eggs. It was much cheaper and faster abroad and we now have two beautiful children from it.
It's such a tough time going through fertility treatment. X
My AMH was 2.4 at the start of the year, and after 3 months of taking Co Q-10 it went up to 5.4. Definitely don't give up yet - supplements can really help with AMH and FSH (my FSH improved dramatically too with the Co Q-10). Give yourself time to heal, take those supplements and we're all crossing our fingers for you.
I have been taking around 400-600 mg a day. My doctor recommended that dosage.I bought mine at Holland & Barratt. They sell 200mg tablets so been taking 2 or 3 of those a day. One at breakfast, one with lunch and one with dinner. They say it’s best to take them with food as the fat in food helps activate them. They aren’t cheap but H&B do deals like buy one, get one half price so I’ve stocked up when they were on deal.
And it seems like they have been working so money well spent.
Thanks for your message and advice! I’ve been taking coq10 for about 6 months now so I feel really disappointed in April it was even lower but hoping it has increased! But I think I will continue with supplements and Accupuncture hopefully help with IUI/ natural xxx
Sorry for your disappointment, it’s a hard old journey. Best idea I say is saving up for IVF or get a loan.. that’s what I did and was best money I ever spent after my 1 funded go failed. I’ve now got 3 sons. I started at 35 too. Even if it takes a couple of years to save you’re still young enough. Good luck. x
Thank you for your kind message snd for giving me hope xx
Hi love.Sorry for the long post.
I don’t have a success story as yet, but also having to go at this with my own cash as the NHS turned me away - and have seen some unexpected improvements, so thought I’d share...
I turned 36 in Feb, have been TTC since Jan 2020. My AMH was NHS tested in May as 0.6pmol/L and FSH 16, with an AFC at the time of 5. So undetectable in other words. No environmental or tube issues - confirmed via HyCoSy scan.
NHS consultant told me no chance - and maximum of 5% with IVF if I could pay. She also told me that Ovulation induction drugs would probably not do anything (her words).
Since then, I have made serious changes around diet, supplements, de-stress, acupuncture and increased sleep. FYI, I am taking almost all of the supplements that everyone refers to except for DHEA, because haven’t yet seen the private clinic to get it. I have heard that DHEA is good for quality of eggs and hence all of the success stories of using it 3 months or so prior. I suspect this is the reason why AMH fluctuates - because it’s the hormone that the eggs (cells) emit and so the theory is the stronger the egg, the stronger the AMH emission (may be BS, but seems to hold some water with people’s success stories). So whilst the AMH blood test is new and not much is known about it, the experts say it’s’ fixed - this is sort of true because you can’t increase your eggs - but you can make them better, or mature them. And so perhaps AMH changes are due to the quality or maturity improvements. Again though; a low number does not mean crap quality - it just means low quantity.
So for me; I am having an AMH re-test with the private clinic. Not expecting much change, but would be interested to know if my changes have had any effect on the number (more to prove the AMH fluctuation theory!!). There is a backlog at the clinic so I’ve got a bit of a wait to get started. Meanwhile, I insisted that the NHS let me try the ovulation induction pills. Apparently they don’t offer out Clomid anymore and use Letrozole instead (which is actually a breast cancer treatment, but lowers oestrogen which tricks your body into producing more FSH - and so your follicles are stimulated in order to mature and release an egg). When you take ovulation induction, make sure you get the AFC scan done - as this will tell you if it’s having any effect. My base scan was 5 small follicles - on my first cycle of Letrozole, my scan on CD 12 showed that I had just released an egg on each ovary - so not 1 egg but 2. Those eggs may be crap - and I won’t know for a few more days yet, but it proved to me that despite my undetectable egg reserve, and despite the NHS telling me no chance naturally, and despite her saying that the tablets probably wouldn’t work… well looks like we can get to my eggs afterall. Letrozole can cause you to ovulate early, around 7 days after the last pill was taken (between 4-10 after). This is fine though - just try and get your scan timed around then to see the eggs either just left, or about to leave!
I would recommend you take it up, even as an interim while you decide how to progress outside of NHS. Good luck with it hunny and try not to fret xx
Wow thank you so much for sharing your story and your advice! I really want to try ovulation induction but they want to do cycle tracking first but will def try and push for the tablets! Been on DHEA since feb and having Accupuncture so feel it didnt increase in April why wouldIt now? But hoping for a miracle. Good luck with the rest of your journey and thanks again xxx
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