Low AMH/AFC after Chemical Pregnancy

[Beakbeak]

Hi, I know I have posted a similar question yesterday but am wondering if anyone has had an experience like me!

I just turned 41 and was told this week that my AMH was 0.3, AFC 2. I was in such a state and have been crying since 😢 I had a CP following a failed FET in August and my cycles have been totally messed up since. I was pretty regular before that with positive OPK every month. I am on day 17 of my cycle now and still no ovulation. I am getting cramps now so unlikely I will ovulate this month.

My AFC in June and July were both 7 so I am in a complete shock to be told that they can only see 2 now. I didn't check AMH at that time as it was an FET cycle using the embryo created 3 years ago. Back then, my AMH was 9.8. I just can't stop thinking that my CP has messed up my cycles which caused lower AFC. This explains why my AMH is so low as it's produced by those follicles...

I know I am clutching straws but I need some hope right now..

[Citizenerased83]

Hey lovely,

I'm so sorry to hear about your chemical pregnancy and unsuccessful FET cycle. It's so hard to deal with. Perhaps your body just needs longer to go back to normal after the chemical pregnancy. Have you spoken to your clinic?

Sending you lots of love xxxx

[Beakbeak in reply to Citizenerased83]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, that's how I felt too, maybe my body needs to recover from the CP. However my consultant was clear that my clock is ticking and best to just crack on due to the low AMH/AFC... It is so hard to know what to do as my gut is saying best to wait but specialist says otherwise!

[Citizenerased83 in reply to Beakbeak]

Only you can decide what's best based on how you're feeling physically and emotionally so be gentle on yourself when making your decision. Xx

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Discuss with your clinic your concerns - they are best placed to give you the information you are looking for as they know your history etc

Take care

Janet-Partner

[Beakbeak in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you!

[finup0321]

It’s understandably upsetting to see your amh levels drop, I totally get that and have had the same thing happen. I had a failed FET earlier this year, then jumped straight back into egg retrievals maybe a month afterward. I collected 1 egg, then the next cycle was cancelled because none of my follicles responded to the stims. It was so depressing. Then right after that I changed to mild protocol and did another cycle, which was also cancelled because only 1 follicle responded. It was so frustrating! Prior to my FET I always had about 8 follicles and would collect 3-4 eggs. After my 2 cancelled cycles I jumped into another one, and on that one I changed protocol again and got 4 mature eggs. I think this was 5 months after my failed FET. Since I did so well on that round, I decided to do another retrieval right after that (total of 5 back to back cycles if you include the 2 cancelled ones). Then I only got 2 follicles to grow, and only 1 egg.

I believe I’ve heard amh described as the “always meandering hormone.” It’s not reliable at all, it’s so frustrating. I guess I’m trying to say please don’t give up (unless you really have come to that point). AMH & AFC fluctuate, and you can always check these levels at baseline scan on day 3 to see if you want to proceed. If your cycles get cancelled, take a breath, give yourself grace, and keep taking really good care of yourself. And keep taking your supplements! You’re not clutching at straws, AMH is merely an indicator of your potential response to IVF, not a measure of your overall fertility.

I hope this helps. Sending hugs x

[Beakbeak in reply to finup0321]

Thank you for taking time to reply! It's so hard isn't it.. Did you also have CP with your failed FET? Interesting that you also had reduced AFC. Did your AMH go down too? My consultant said it is unlikely that AFC drops in such a short time so I just couldn't help thinking it has to do with the CP! It is amazing that you managed 4 eggs after that though.

I am taking Chinese herbs on top of my supplements recommended by my consultant which really helped my first IVF that gave us our daughter. I was told by the Chinese doctor that it could take 3 to 6 months for the body to recover completely from CP. Maybe 2 months if you are lucky. When I heard this, I thought surely 1 month is enough as it was a very early miscarriage. However he might be right!

I see what you mean by AMH fluctuations. My very first test was 4 years ago when I was 36 which was 7.8. I then went up to 9.8 a year later I thought it only goes down so was quite confused.