Retest of AMH results and in need of some positivity/advice

[CJohns]

Hi ladies

When attending our first NHS consultation a couple of weeks ago, I had lots of bloods taken for more tests including a retest of my AMH, and I had an internal scan. We’d not had a good experience with the private fertility clinic for our MOTs and turns out they also missed that my ovaries are measuring smaller.

I had secretly hoped my AMH would come back a little higher (was 2.2 - taken on 08 July) as I still have not got my head around the fact I’m 28 and it is so low, but I’m from a family of very fertile females). I had my result today and it’s come back as 1😢. They’ve told me not to worry and just look forward to my ivf consent apt. in November. November feels like a lifetime away. We have the money to go privately if needs be and really id like to hear from people who have been in a similar position. At our NHS apt. I queried whether they would do 3 cycles back to back to harvest the eggs due to my low AMH, but my query was disregarded, but I’m wondering if this is something we should pay for privately given I am clearly a ticking time bomb.

Has anyone had success with these types of AMH levels, and if so, what ivf process did you proceed with? I’m not yet used to the lingo on different protocols etc, so I’d really really appreciate explanations.

Also, with private clinics, what are your experiences with moving from NHS to private, and the timescales for getting things moving?

Thanks in advance xx

[McQueeny]

Heya. I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time. I can’t offer any experience on the AMH front, as that wasn’t our issue - but on the private vs NHS question, a couple of thoughts : (A) NHS might not fund back to back harvesting, as they would normally go for the most ‘efficient’ route to a single baby and aren’t concerned about whether you’d be able to have more later

(B) timescale wise, private is normally pretty quick - there might be a couple of weeks wait for your first appt if the clinic is busy, but it won’t be months , and then once you’re there you can get started pretty quick depending on how many tests you’re advised to do (and once you’re ready for your first cycle you just go at your next period, there’s no waiting for them to tell you it’s now your turn).

(C) remember that if you do one/two cycles privately, you’ll likely lose your eligibility for NHS funded treatment (even though they didn’t pay for those first two cycles). Just something to bear in mind. You can’t go private and then if it gets expensive go back to the NHS. It’s a one way street.

Hope some of this is remotely helpful, and good luck!! xx

[CJohns in reply to McQueeny]

Thank you. My NHS clinic out refer to the private clinic that I initially visited (which also doesn’t fill me with a lot of hope). I asked the NHS the 3 cycle query in the hope that they could work together I.e NHS would fund one egg collection and then I could transfer to private for the other two.. really I just wanted to be aware of my options. I don’t know how you have felt, but it just feels that you’re told one method by the clinic but then I come on here and hear lots of other different protocols which I was not previously made aware of.

I suppose having the same clinic for both will be a positive if we do continue with NHS, as I presume we won’t have to deal with all of the same consent paperwork etc as it will already be held by the private clinic🤞🏻

Interesting on private timescales though- didn’t realise many clinics could act that quickly.

Thanks again 🙂 xx

[McQueeny in reply to CJohns]

Yes I agree, you normally get the ‘standard’ protocol, and only after a failed attempt or two would they look into alternatives…. I got a referral from the NHS, but then got tired of waiting and went straight to private - so didn’t deal with the NHS too much to be honest 🙃

Good luck!! x

[Marisa32]

Low AMH means you won't get a ton of eggs after stimulation. But don't despair because IVF is a game of quality over quantity. At your age, the few eggs you have should be in good shape. I would recommend few cycles back to back if you respond poorly to stims. This way you collect a bunch before proceeding to transfers. Also, if it turns out you are a poor responder to stims, natural or modified IVF is better for low AMH. Good luck!

[CJohns in reply to Marisa32]

Thank you, I thought as much after reading up on here. Xx

[cloud_user]

my AMH is about that low (i think a bit lower), however i responded really well to stims, they were expecting about 5 follicles based on my AMH and andral follicle count, i ended up with 10 eggs collected this round. AMH is only one piece of the puzzle, its an indicator but not the whole story. I wouldnt get too stressed about, and would go through the NHS funded round to see how you respond, you can then move quickly to a private clinic in the new year armed with more information and options. As everyone says, its quicker with private clinics to get appointments and get going, but realistically if your nhs round is in november, you'll be gaining a few weeks at this point, if that. Best of luck!

[CJohns in reply to cloud_user]

Thank you, messages like this definitely help calm me down a bit! Our nhs out referred clinic and closest private clinic are in fact the same, so if no success with nhs then at least it should be a smooth transition over. Xx

[LauraShe10]

Hiya. I had a very low AMH level 6 months ago but took co-Q 10 and it helped. While it didn’t jump massively, it did also help my FSH levels and last IVF round we got 3 eggs (I know, not many) but I’m now almost 10 weeks pregnant. It only takes one good egg!

[CJohns in reply to LauraShe10]

Definitely a positive outcome for you, congratulations ! I’ve started taking co-q10 as well as DHEA, so let’s hope they have an impact 🤞🏻. X

[Pittuck23]

Hey I just wanted to give you a bit about my story . I first started ivf at 32 I was told my amh was very low. I was with a private clinic and they didn’t seem to bothered about this fact. I went through all the injections tablets etc and I managed to get eggs all which fertilised to blastocysts. Out of those 3 eggs I have a 4 years old daughter and a 4 month old baby boy. I cannot praise my clinic highly enough for all the help and support even at 5am in the morning at times!I was taking supplements and you’ll hear people on here talk about DHEA. I am a firm believe DHEA tablets helped me get solid and strong eggs for fertilisation. Some people think it’s a gimmick but I believe it helped me. It only take some egg but if it’s a strong one there’s no reason it won’t produce a beautiful baby xx

[CJohns in reply to Pittuck23]

Wow, what a success story😊. My DHEA arrived yesterday so I’m on it! Thank you for taking the time to respond x

[river242]

My amh was 0.3 a year ago- goodness knows what it is now. I had my first ivf in April. I didn't respond to stims as well as most people but I got one egg. That egg became a grade A blast. Unfortunately it didn't stick but I have other issues to do with thyroid that might have caused that. I'm in the middle of my second cycle and after a really rubbish start found out I have 5 follicles this time. 2 are small but we might get 3 eggs which is a treasure trove for me. Its all about quality. Amh really only tells you how you might respond to stims, not whether you'll have a baby. If this doesn't work we're moving on to mild or natural ivf. I agree that DHEA and Co Q10 can have a great impact on egg quality, have been taking both for a year. I've also really worked on diet and have been going for regular acupuncture. It's not for everyone but these are the things that helped me. I remember being so upset getting my results but it's not as bad as it feels. You've got this.

[CJohns in reply to river242]

Thank you for sharing - I’ve just started taking both supplements, improving ours diets and have acupuncture booked in for next week, I suppose we can only try our best to help the cause!

I’ll keep my fingers crossed that this cycle brings you the success that you’re longing for 🤞🏻 x

[Bella_Bee in reply to river242]

Sorry to butt in and please feel free to tell me to bugger off but have you spoken to a doctor about taking dhea for a year? I only ask because my clinic was adamant that I not take it for more than the three months needed to have an impact, 4 at most. I don't mean to worry you, just want you to be safe. Xo

[river242 in reply to Bella_Bee]

Thanks for checking but yes both my fertility consultant and private endo are aware and ok with it. I'm tested regularly as I'm naturally deficient. You're right to point it out though, I should've said that if you're taking it any length of time it should be under medical supervision and you should be tested.

[Bella_Bee]

If you have the money, I'd say stop fckng about with NHS and go private. Back to back cycles will be a bit gruelling but it's your best bet. At 28 you might want more than one child and if you do, you want as many healthy eggs as possible banked away ASAP given your amh. I don't mean to panic you. There are lots of wonderful stories of IVF success with low AMH. But IVF is a game of probabilities and a pinch of luck too so if I were you I'd definitely crack on with it or you're looking at spending the next 6 months on a single nhs cycle which may produce, what 2, 3 eggs which need to fertilise as well as get to day 3 or 5. I had 12 eggs in my first cycle and none became a day 5 embryo. I was almost a decade older than you so egg quality would have def been an issue but why risk it...?! Best of luck whatever you decide. ❤

[CJohns in reply to Bella_Bee]

I was swaying towards private, but my partner still had the mindset that we should get what we can from the NHS.

After reading your post to him I’ve finally convinced him that we should call the private clinic on Monday. It won’t hurt to just find out the timescales and discuss our options. Thank you so much for your honesty 😌 x

[CJohns in reply to Bella_Bee]

We spoke with the private clinic this morning and they’re only 2-3 weeks ahead of the NHS and have said it’s probably not worth paying the extra to bring it forward. I guess I have to accept that it is what it is and everything happens for a reason. Thank you so much for your advice though xx

[Bella_Bee in reply to CJohns]

That's incredible. I had my initial consultation with my clinic at the end of April and the embryo transfer on 20 June. I'd say go to a different clinic ... But you sound at peace with it which is good. Best of luck 🍀

[CJohns in reply to Bella_Bee]

It’s one of the negatives of living in Cornwall! Our access to things down here is pretty pants.

By initial consultation do you mean just a general discussion, or was that when you signed the consent forms?

My consent form apt is 04/11 and sounds like meds would start mid December xx

[Bella_Bee in reply to CJohns]

The general conversation but it was in fact a very specific "how will you make me a baby" conversation given I'd had a round of IVF before and needed to start ASAP. They prepared the plan of action and paperwork within a couple of days, which I popped in to sign at the same time as doing some blood tests, picked up my prescription and then just waited for my period to start..