Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Houston, We Have a Problem

So remember how we have MFI and I'm OK... Remember how IVF is supposed to be the answer if I can just get to retrieval... I got back the results of my Friday blood test and my FSH level was 14. My mind is spinning...

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My FSH level was 7 in June. How could this change so quickly?

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The doctor didn't seem very concerned. He said that this test might be predictive as my ovaries look good on ultrasound. So it might just indicate that in six months my eggs will be reduced. Oh good, that's a relief!!!

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Can I even be successful with IVF and such a high FSH level? Should this change my protocol? Should I start planning for a childless life?

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I took this blood test after being off BCP for seven days after being on them for a month. Might this have skewed the results?

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I can't believe I wasted all that time with that ass-clown doctor.

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Where do I go from here? What do I do? Help! Do I just cycle in May and hope for the best?


Update:

My email to the RE -

Google searches indicate that an FSH level of 14 is much more dire than what was indicated in our meeting today, so I'm confused. This is new to me as my FSH level was much lower (~7) in June. Why would this have changed so drastically? Should I be worried about my chances of success with IVF? Please let me know when you receive the Inhibin B test results. Thanks


And his response -

Google searches often can mislead…
Suffice to say that the AFC is the key.
I have a few pts with FSH of 100 or more that have pregnancies. The key is eggs and reserve. The issue is not the FSH number.



So I guess I'll trust and see what happens...

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is bizarre. Have you always had normal FSH levels in the past? I can't believe they would just jump like that. I'm wondering if it's just a total fluke?

In my opinion, I would definitely cycle in May. If the gonadotropins you take produce a decent amount of follicles, that is all that matters.

Good luck!

Best When Used By said...

It does not seem that your level could double that fast. Ask for a repeat blood test. Years (decades?) ago I worked in a chemistry lab and those machines are not always right. Since the number is SO FAR off from your last level, I would call the ass-clown immediately and tell him you would like a confirmation blood test TODAY.

Mary said...

My RE said that if my FSH is above 10 then I go straight to IVF. So, if indeed this number is correct starting IVF immediately is the best thing to do. I don't think hope is lost at all and it's good that you have IVF all lined up to start so soon.

Either way, that really sucks that it came back so high. I'm sorry, Megan.

Kristin said...

Definitely still start in May. I would.

Maybe you can get another blood test just to be sure? That sounds like an awfully big jump.

Nicole said...

Just for piece of mind, remember that your FSH will move around a bit month-to-month. Odds are this is just a higher month AND since it's a new lab that could be the main reason.

Just for reference, my FSH has been 14, 5.5, 8, 12 over the last year. And while we didn't have IVF success, my egg quality isn't in question--just quantity.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Nicole. It could also be an outlier. Maybe you just need another test next month. If the doc's not concerned, I'm not either :)

Shannon said...

I agree with the ladies, cycle in May, and have a repeat test. It could just be this month, does an annovulatory month start with a High FSH I wonder?

Shinejil said...

Look into how accurate FSH is in predicting egg quality/quantity in younger women (I can't for the life of me recall how old you are. Forgive me). I don't think it's necessarily as meaningful as in older (i.e. over 35) gals.

Don't throw in the towel yet, especially if your doc thinks you have a fighting chance...

Megan said...

I'm 31. The weird thing is that he just mentioned it casually. I had to ask him if I should be worried.

Of course now I hav been Googling and I think it is all over. Shit.

Anonymous said...

Oh crud, I had a similar convo with my RE a few months ago. He was more concerned with my antral follicle count, and not my levels. I recently had an FSH of 10.6 but normal estradiol. But my antral counts have been 6, 9, 9 the past three cycles.

I would ask more questions and find out about your estradiol as well. My doc said that hormone changes can happen really quickly though...bummer for me since my treatments don't seem to be moving that quickly.

momsoon said...

I don't know enough about what the levels indicate, but after reading Julia Indochova's "Inconceivable" I do know that this level can fluctuate month to month and that relying too much on the "numbers" can be a bit misleading...
i know how hard it is (evil Google?!!) and agree with the others, get retested, and go for it in may...
It is not all over for you (amazing how we can see it for others, but in our own lives things seem so bleak??!! peacexox

Frau said...

If you are getting ready to cycle, do it. High FSH could mean nothing or it could mean that it is the beginning of the end for you. Either way, moving on is the way to go. Will getting retested really change your course of action?

The other poster was correct that high FSH is less of a problem in your early 30s - so you don't have to worry so much.

I'm actually a little frustrated that REs depend heavily on FSH or antral follicle counts but there is so much conflicting research about what this means.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't panic over one result. If another is high then you may need to step things up, but for this particular test I wouldn't panic.

Deep breathes and baby steps...it will be OK.

Hugs.

humbird97 said...

When my RE told me that my AFC was 3 to 4 per ovary, I was floored. My AMH level (anti-muellerian hormone: that will be some google fun for you) was 0.4. I needed some time to take that in.

Give yourself permission to take this in on your own terms. I'm glad you emailed him and got a response. You need time to see how this will fit into your plan. You will get there, and you won't be alone.

My FET is tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Anonymous said...

Do you trust this RE? I would say in general too much is made of the FSH number, but what do I know? Of course I ended up doing DE, so don't listen to me! But if the RE is saying this cycle could be a go, I would go for it! Waiting is not going to help anything, and it might hurt. But if you don't trust the RE completely, get a 2nd opinion. You don't want to be going through IVF hell for nothing. Good luck hon.

Liz said...

I don't know enough to offer any support, except to say Dr Google can be a scary bastard. (And can lie).
Take care.

UnicornMommy said...

music Momma, took the words right out of my finger tips. Do you trust your RE. if so, trust him. If not get a second opinion...too new. call around with hypothetical question to different RE and see what their answer is.

kirke said...

I think it's a fluke....I also think that if the doctor isn't concerned (and he definitely doesn't sound concerned) that it isn't so dire. Also, on another blog I like to read the blogger had an FSH level of 13 and just got pregnant through IVF.

Dr. Google is a quack.

Tiger said...

The Doc is not concerned so I would say to trust him. :) Praying for you...

Erica said...

Shit. I've got nothing good to say. I'm sorry.

Thinking of you and hoping that you can make an informed decision soon.

Diana said...

Don't trust Dr. Google and don't let the numbers get you down.
You were going to cycle in May anyway. Go for it and I'm sure you'll be successful.
A.

(I sent you an email too)

Anonymous said...

I agree with the second blood test. Dr's can all be ass clowns and know it alls. It's your body.

Callie said...

Dr. Google is a notorious liar! That being said, it does help frame questions, so I'm glad you were able to go back to your doctor and get some clarification.

Good luck!

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