Low AMH, high FSH

[Diana84]

Anyone with low AMH and high FSH? I have found out my devastating result recently. IVF was mentioned by the specialist. What to do next?

[Pnw2020]

Hi.Try not to worry although I appreciate that is easier said than done. IVF may be an option but a low AMH alone does not mean you cannot conceive naturally. It would depend on your age and how long you have been trying for plus any male factors. What was your AMH? AFC (antral follicle count) is also important if considering IVF. Was the specialist NHS or private?

[Diana84 in reply to Pnw2020]

Thank you for your kind reply. I will be 38 in March. Last year AMH was 1.4 now it is 0.4. FHS was 17, now 25. I don' t know AFC and I am going to write to the specialist (in the meantime try to find a suitable private clinic) to do the ultrasound. I have been under so much stress: lost my parents in laws within 3 months from each other then my mum had a stroke and I am her full time carer. My husband's results were below normal last year, but they are normal now after taking supplements.

[Pnw2020 in reply to Diana84]

It might be worth looking into clinics that specialise in low AMH, where they do natural or natural modified cycles. Age is on your side in terms of egg quality and that is important. You might want to have a look into DHEA. Some clinics recommend it for low AMH. It would be worth getting your levels checked (eg via Medichecks )if you do decide to take it and best to check with the clinic. Have you read 'It starts with an egg'?

[Diana84 in reply to Pnw2020]

We live in Kent, so London is not far. We need to start looking into clinics. I have read the book a few days ago, ordered supplemets and DHEA. Started Proceive this cycle, antioxidants, Vit E, C, D etc. Melatonin will arrive this week, DHEA next week- is it safe to take?How do you know about low AMH and "cure"? Where are you on your fertility journey?

Thank you again for your advice!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Diana. Some clinics recommend two months of DHEA before trying IVF. Sometimes helps with egg collection. Perhaps a short protocol might work using your own eggs. See what your specialist advises, but be prepared to use donor eggs should it fail. Thinking of you. Diane

[Diana84 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane! It would be great if we could get pregnant naturally of course, but I need to stay realistic and prepare myself for IVF. Donor Eggs might not be for us... Let's hope that my AFC will turn out OK and that we can improve eggs' quality first.Bless you! Thanks! Diana

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Diana84]

Hi. Hopefully your AFC will be acceptable to give you a chance with your own eggs. A mild/short protocol might encourage eggs that want to come out, rather than being forced to do so. Diane

[articsnowfox in reply to DianeArnold]

I second the DHEA recommendation - the evidence is very strong that it improves your chances of a successful pregnancy when you have low AMH and also when you're older - i took it for 3 months before undergoing IVF at 43 and had a baby (there seemed to be quite a difference between my embryo quality between an IVF round I did at 42 and the one I did after DHEA at 43). My friend took my leftover DHEA and got pregnant naturally after 3 months of taking it and she had a history of recurrent miscarriage. It really does seem to be a wonder drug/supplement, and I am usually very skeptical of most IVF add-ons or supplements (my job is literally to analyse medical data so if I am going to take something, it has to clear a pretty high bar ) If you need the data to back you up when talking to your doc, I can send you through a study (that was an analysis of actually 8 high quality trials) which shows that it works.

[Diana84 in reply to articsnowfox]

It sounds very promising. I love looking at data and evidence. Send me the document my way, please! What dose do you recommend? Getting pregnant naturally would be a dream come true of course.

Congratulations! What a happy ending. xx

[articsnowfox in reply to Diana84]

Here is the study: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/313...

[articsnowfox in reply to articsnowfox]

the studies it looked at improved "live birth rate" across the board, which is considered a gold standard result in clinical trials (usually they just use the endpoint/result of clinical pregnancy rate which doesn't take into account miscarriages/stillbirths). The studies were in women with low AMH but it is also effective in older women (> 35 years).

another procedure which might have effectiveness is early egg retrieval - we also did this on my last IVF round: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl.... (there is also a study on older women out there - just have a google for it)

[articsnowfox in reply to articsnowfox]

And finally, if my last cycle didn't work I was going to try something called human growth hormone, which also seem to have some effectiveness but the evidence is not as strong as DHEA: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/158...

[articsnowfox in reply to articsnowfox]

oh, and regarding DHEA dose, the study dose was 25mg three times daily (75 mg/day) and you need to make sure the formulation is 'micronized' Good luck!!

[Diana84 in reply to articsnowfox]

Fab!!! You are a star! Thank you so much! A bit of bedtime read.

[CJohns]

I have a very low AMH of 1 - 2 (different results on tests taken 7 weeks apart).

Due to start treatment end of December and have been recommended short protocol.

My clinic has told me to take DHEA to increase egg quality, but hasn’t mentioned other supplements, but I am taking as per ‘it starts with an egg’ (other than the melatonin). I did question my consultant about DHEA as I’m only 28 so wouldn’t expect quality to be an issue, (and they also haven’t tested my levels) but he didn’t seem too concerned and happy for me to take.

I have cut out all caffeine, cut out as much sugar/processed food as possible and I don’t drink alcohol anyway, but generally improving my diet and health. Also trying my best with lower chemical beauty products, plastic storage etc.

Much of the guidance came from ladies on here and my acupuncturist (also highly recommend seeing one if you haven’t already - mine has given me way more direction than the NHS clinic).

I am in the same boat so can appreciate exactly how you feel. I am up and down all the time and feel like I am grieving what I can only say is my lost eggs? My experience is that clinics have the opinion that you need to think positively (whilst telling you that you should expect to use donor eggs?!) and make you feel a bit crazy for getting emotional. But it is a big deal and we are entitled to feel a bit pants!

We just have to do all that we can so that if it does fail, we know we’ve done our absolute best. I’m certainly open to donor eggs after one or two cycles, but just have to see how my first egg retrieval goes first.

I wish you all the luck xx

[Diana84 in reply to CJohns]

Thank you for your comment! I have been taking most of the things mentioned in the "It starts with the Egg", except Melatonin and DHEA (soon here, waiting for the post).

It is still a mytery to me why my AMH is so low as I never smoked, non-drinker, very healthy lifestyle, including sports, fresh air, meditation etc. Stopped using cosmetic products too.

Never tried acupuncture and when we first TTC, I jokingly said "witchcraft". I have really started to think about it and even found a place near me.

Still early days after the shocking news, but we do not have time to waste.

I am sure you cannot wait December to come!

Thank you and wish you strength and luck on your journey.

xx

[CJohns in reply to Diana84]

I’m with you on that, never smoked and probably drink 2-3 times a year, and do a lot of exercise. I’m sure like me you often question ‘why me?’. We will never know and I’m sure we’ll never fully accept why it was us😬.

I’d try the acupuncturist just once to see. I know they’re a bit different, but they’re worth a try and you may be pleasantly surprised. Mine is cheaper than my counsellor and I definitely feel I get more therapy after my acupuncture session than with my counsellor!

It’s hard to find people in very similar positions, so if you do ever need to rant or ask a question about my journey then my inbox is always open xx

[Ajtart]

I'm interested in DHEA also. If my clinic won't prescribe it, where can i get it from as I've looked before and can't seem to get it?

[Purpledoggy in reply to Ajtart]

You can import it from the US legally for personal use. I get all my supps from iHerb (as well as all sorts of other bits n bobs I miss from when I lived there!) but have seen others use Biovea. Xx

[Ajtart in reply to Purpledoggy]

Thanks. Will have anither try but I'm sure it wouldn't allow me to last time x

[Purpledoggy in reply to Ajtart]

I have bought it from iHerb before (and melatonin) and order other stuff from there fairly regularly. I think there must be something confusing on their website because I have seen other people say they don't ship here, but I have never had a problem. xx

[Diana84 in reply to Ajtart]

I bought mine via Biovea. Has not arrived yet, but it is coming.

[katymcg]

hi Diana, I'm exactly the same low amh and high fsh. I took DHEA for 3 months before my first round. it didn't make any difference for me, but hopefully it will for you! what kind of melatonin do u take? I've only heard of it for sleep. i did have success with clomid I had 8 follicles and 2 dominant in one ovary, sadly resulted in MC. but the medication did work. I'm going to try a round of IVF on it in match. How's everything going? x

[Diana84 in reply to katymcg]

Hi there, Thanks for your message! I have been taking DHEA for over 2 months, I think it is my 3rd month on it. I am sorry that it did not make any difference for you! I would love to see my levels again soon... maybe privately. How many mg did you take? What brand by the way?

I ordered Melatonin from Pipingrock company. I ordered 10mg tablets, but only taking half each night and not every night. It is excellent for sleep, but also could help with fertility if you use IVF (according to the book: "It starts with the Egg"). NHS specialist advised me against Clomid... interesting that you are saying that you had success with it. I am so sorry to hear about your MC!

Very best luck for the next round IVF! Fingers crossed this time it will work for you!

How do you feel about it?

We still have not contacted clinics re IVF. I am still waiting for natural miracle... Silly, I know as we are running out of time, well I am running out of healthy eggs.

[katymcg]

Hi ! everything is always worth a try in this game! it didn't help with IVF, but It might of naturally helped, as I was on it with the successful clomid cycle. thanks for that, I stangley ordered that book today! I'll try the melatonin thank you. I'm taking 3x25mg micronised (amazing formulas) a day DHEA. I started nmn max drops last month which have helped and coQ10. Anything to help isn't it!Yes the clomid was a shock to all, I've never had such a promising scan, so I got to over excited I think and thought it was going to work. now I wish I had IVF on that cycle. But never goes to plan does it. But I would recommend it as a more natural free method! how do u feel? no its not running out of time, it just takes one xx

[Diana84 in reply to katymcg]

It is a very useful book. I read it a few months ago and have been taking all the supplements (including COQ10) were mentioned. Spirulina and Chlorella on top of that and Probiotics. I have not heard of NMN yet, but just had a quick search. What difference did it make to you?

I think I definitely need to find a private clinic and ask for more test; maybe thyroid and another check for AMH and FSH as 3 months passed by since I have been taking all the "magic vitamins". I am very curious if it made any difference...

I also read that the next test should be a scan that shows how many eggs left. Antral follicle count via ultrasound.

I am feeling under pressure... How about you? You are right, we only need one healthy egg.

Unfortunately, my mum had a very severe stroke a year ago. I spend 7 months away from my husband to help her and now she is living with us. I am her full time carer which takes up all of my time and energy. Very stressful as well, so the circumstance do not help. Life, eh?

Let me know what you think about the book and how you are getting on with your plans, please. What is the next step for you? xx

[katymcg]

Hi!

oh wonderful thank you, I'm looking forward to reading it! I will defiantly look into those vitamins. Yes I was recommended NMN for increasing AMH. its basically a strong B vitamin (B12 specifically) its helped regulate my period and energy levels. its drops under the tongue! feel like I rattle.

Yes I would recommend advice from a clinic. they can be really pushy with donor eggs. but its good to get advice.

I'm so sorry about your mum, that sounds very stressful, which of course doesn't hhelp. my husband works away, so i get hos difficult time apart makes it.

so next I'm trying IVF on letrozole. I had a positive response to clomid last month and the private clinic prefer letrozole. Its booked in March, so going to focus of vitamins, accupture and mentally preparing for it. I found it hard last time. how about u? xx

[Diana84]

How are getting on with the book? I hope you will find it useful. NMN sounds great, I need to look into it.

I need to find a reliable clinic... where do I start? I don't think that donor eggs would be right for me and and my husband.

Thank you! It is stressful time. Oh no! That is not easy for you either. I had to move back to my home country to help my mum. I did not know at the time that for how long... it was 7 months. Very precious time we have lost. I need to get my acts together and move forward with our future plans.

March is here soon. Are you excited? Try with the Vitamins in the meantime, they might give you just that little extra help you need.

I was wondering about acupuncture too.

Still hoping for miracle and natural conception, but the reality is that we need to book in ourselves for more investigation with a private clinic and go from there. Maybe once our minds are at rest, it could happen naturally. And if not at least we are on the right track.

I never thought that this will be so hard for us! I am disappointed and it might sound ungrateful, but even if we become parents, I still will feel that it is not how I imagined our fertility journey. Childish, right?!