Lining confusion

[Ham_Bo]

Hi all - I’m really upset and confused about how my first FET is going and hoping for some advice.

My day 8 scan showed a lining on 6mm, on day 12 this was up to 6.7mm. My estrogen levels were taken same day and returned at 900. I was started on patches alongside the 8mg Progynova. I had another scan at day 15 where the lining was down to 6.2mm. I’m convinced they’ll cancel the cycle but have been told to carry on and re-scan Tuesday.

At my fresh cycle, my last lining measurement (on the day we were told to trigger) was only 5.9mm but estrogen was 8000 that day. So much emphasis is being put on estrogen for the lining this time round, so I can’t understand how my lining was thinner when estrogen so high before?

To be honest I’m feeling mainly disheartened about why the transfer went ahead with the fresh cycle at all. Either the 5.9mm was incorrect (I’m slightly suspicious of this as it was identical to the previous scan) or they transferred with a really thin lining. It was my first time going through the process and I have lots of regrets now about having not advocated for myself better. We’re NHS funded for 1 fresh and 1 frozen, have 1 embryo left and feeling quite hopeless about it all. The nurse today said if they cancel this cycle we may have to self-fund another attempt at FET.

[Fruitandflowers]

I wouldn't worry too much about those things. The lining measurements aren't that precise and it can vary a lot depending on where they measure and they generally do an average. Although often starting progesterone tends to shrink the link a little, 6.7mm to 6.2mm doesn't seem like it's gone down, just stayed similar. Also I think they like around 7mm plus (hopefully others can chime in) so you're not far off. My clinics (NHS and private) have never tested oestrogen for a transfer and you don't often see it mentioned on here so don't think it's very common to test and if it was important you'd hope all the clinics would do it. It may be that you or the clinic still decide to cancel because it's not optimal but just purely on oestrogen and lining I'm not sure I'd see it as meaning you're out. Also I was told that if you cancel before egg collection or transfer that the funding still protected but definitely worth clarifying. Finally, are they testing your progesterone and are you on enough support? That tends to be a much more important hormone for most women on FETs.

[Ham_Bo in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Thank you so much for replying. I haven’t started progesterone yet nor has a test. I didn’t have a progesterone blood test prior to my fresh transfer but I did have some spotting before OTD so they’ve agreed I’ll have lubion as well as cyclogest this time around. They said the oestrogen test was to check absorption? I guess that’s why I’m so focused on why it doesn’t seem to correspond with the lining measurements.

[Fruitandflowers in reply to Ham_Bo]

Best to get progesterone tested if possible. They don't necessarily do it on a fresh transfer and sometimes not on a FET but it's becoming pretty standard and it can pinpoint an issue which may be fixable. Good if they're putting you on lubion too. My lining has always been much better naturally than on meds and I think sometimes we don't react how they expect even if we're absorbing it fine. Lots of people try things like beetroot or pomegranate juice, and full fats, to try and naturally help the lining along - I had those things but no idea if it works.

[Ham_Bo in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Scan again today and lining down to 5mm so game over this month. They’ve rechecked estrogen via bloods today, still waiting for the result, but I really don’t think estrogen is the issue. I’m already doing acupuncture, omega 3 supplements, gone back to cows milk and daily pomegranate juice.

I’ve asked for a consultation with the Drs, hoping to discuss the lining on the fresh cycle, and whether a natural FET might be a good idea instead. The nurse today said they may just accept my lining is on the thinner side and go for a FET at less than 8mm next time around with maximum progesterone support to help it stick, but that makes me a bit nervous to be honest.

[Fruitandflowers in reply to Ham_Bo]

Am sorry to hear that. My lining's always better naturally so a natural FET is definitely something to consider and my clinic had just said ok to that, even though they rarely do them. They wanted evidence that I ovulated regularly before approving it though so that meant getting day 21 bloods done before, but every clinic's different. Whatever they recommend I'd ask then a lot of questions and about success rates etc so you can feel fully informed.