Antral follicle count

[Believeinmiracles82]

Hi, this is my first post. I am 41 years old and have been for initial appointment regarding IVF on NHS. I have no children and 1 miscarriage at 16 weeks 2 years ago. At the appointment I was around 5 days post ovulation and my scan showed that my uterine lining was only 6mm so was on the thin side. They could only find one ovary and said I had a antral follicle count (AFC) of 2 (4 is the minimum number). I have read online that AFC should be done on day 2-4 of cycle. Does anyone know if this makes a difference? Does anyone have any tips for increasing AFC and uterine lining. I am so worried that we won’t even be able to have IVF and I have to wait until mid-February for all the results as I am awaiting HSG

Any advice appreciated

[Football61]

Hi. I’m no expert, but I believe that your AFC fluctuates from month to month. I’m 44 and when I had my initial fertility MOT at the start of this year, my AFC was 8. I took DHEA and Ubiquinol for a while, and when I had my baseline scan on Day 2 of my first cycle in May, my AFC was 13. My consultant said it was due to the DHEA, but who knows 🤷🏻‍♀️. More follicles grew during the cycle (due to the stims) and I ended up with 16 eggs. In my second cycle, I had another baseline scan on Day 2 and had 18 follicles - although not all grew and I ended up with 12 eggs. It might be worth taking DHEA and Ubiquinol - I guess you have nothing to lose? Wishing you the best of luck x

[Believeinmiracles82 in reply to Football61]

Thanks for replying. Oh those are really good numbers. I take Co-enzyme Q10 200mgs but will switch to Ubiquinol when these run out. Which brand and dosage did you use for DHEA as I will definitely try these. Wishing you luck too

[Football61 in reply to Believeinmiracles82]

No worries. My clinic gave me a prescription for 25mg DHEA - the Fertinatal brand. My consultants said that was the best brand. I also took Solgar Ubiquinol. I certainly don’t know if these supplements are a magic bullet or played any part in my increased AFC, but I guess it’s worth a shot! xx

[Believeinmiracles82 in reply to Football61]

Thanks for this, it’s definitely worth a try . I think I will see if I can buy them. I’m not sure if they would give a prescription with it being on the NHS and also the Ubiquinol 😊

[HopeNotTooLate46 in reply to Football61]

Which concentration of Solgar Ubiquinol? There are a few different options

[Football61 in reply to HopeNotTooLate46]

I took 200mg twice a day

[Cuppppatea in reply to Football61]

Omg this is really amazing. I’ve been taking both of these for around three months so maybe I’ve managed to increase my afc as was at 6 before I think. Feeling hope for my next round

[konyaga]

Beetroot can help with uterine lining. Also if you can find an acupuncturist who can support IVF over a few months leading up to transfer.

[Believeinmiracles82 in reply to konyaga]

Thanks I have just been reading the same, also pomegranate juice. I was thinking of contacting a acupuncturist to see if they can help

[Darcy1996 in reply to Believeinmiracles82]

I’ve been sceptical but trying an acupuncturist for 5/6 months now and it’s helped my stress levels…which if nothing else, I’ll take. Her specialism is fertility so she’s been an invaluable resource too. (I’m 42 too)

[Believeinmiracles82 in reply to Darcy1996]

Thanks-I kind of think I need to do whatever I can. Going to see what the hospital say in February and if they say we can go ahead then I will book in-good luck in your journey x

[Darcy1996 in reply to Believeinmiracles82]

And you with yours 💜

[MontsJ]

I’m sorry you are left worried about this. Checking AFC day 5 would be ok. Nothing can increase your AFC but it can fluctuate month by month. However this scan has would suggest that your AFC will always be lower. It’s definitely worth checking your vitamin D levels, you could see if the NHS will check this for you. If your DHEA and testosterone levels were low you could supplement with DHEA, but be sure to monitor your levels then as high testosterone is just as bad. I think you probably would want to do another scan around ovulation to see what your uterine lining is them before you worry about having thin lining. Did the NHS check any of your hormone levels on day 5 also?

[Believeinmiracles82 in reply to MontsJ]

My AFC was checked around cycle day 19 (5 days post ovulation) and from what I read the follicles die off after ovulation which might be why I have less but seems to be conflicting information so I am confused. I do think my age plays a big part in it. I had vitamin D deficiency a few years ago but been supplementing on vitamin D ever since. My GP did bloods before my appointment on cycle day 3 and day 21. The only result I got back from that was my FSH was 7.9 so she was able to refer us for NHS IVF. The clinic didn’t give any further information about these tests so I assumed they were okay. She took further bloods in clinic that day to check for AMH given that she could only find one ovary. I think I will buy a test online which checks for DHEA and testosterone before I take as my next appointment is not until February and would rather try and make things a little better for then if I can

[MontsJ]

I’ve been to Kings Fertility and they are happy scanning in late luteal phase. But you are right most clinics prefer to scan around time of your period. Have the NHS said they will scan you again at all? I guess it depends if you are willing to pay for a private scan but I’ve certainly done this and if it gives you peace of mind it’s worth looking into. Your FSH is ok and while only a snapshot of that moment in time doesn’t raise huge red flags about perimenopause.

If you wait until after Christmas Medichecks will likely do another Boxing Day sale across all their tests. They do have a sale on their comprehensive tess at the moment why I think would include their Ultimate performance blood test - it dies literally everything, and will do a thorough thyroid check too. From working with acupuncturists it’s really worthwhile checking these.

Otherwise the make hormone profile has Dhea as well as FSH, LH and oestrogen so you could do this on day 3 and see what your hormone levels are doing another month.

[Believeinmiracles82]

Thanks- your post is super helpful. I did think about paying for a private scan just to put my mind at rest and I have found a place near me that does them. The clinic didn’t talk about rescanning and I’m worried that they will say to us in February that we don’t meet the criteria for IVF.

I will take a look at Medicheck because I think it’s good to know to see if I can supplement on anything. I did have a look yesterday at these so will wait until after Christmas for a cheaper price.

My friend has suggested an acupuncturist that specialises in fertility. I wasnt too keen at the beginning but feel that I need to throw everything at it. I have always had worries about what if the IVF doesn’t work but now I think we will be lucky if we even get it at this rate!