DHEA and FSH

So my FSH was 12.2 in June.  It was 11.2 last December and 9.6 last January.  So it has been on a steady rise.

I started taking DHEA 5 weeks ago but skipped one week.  Then I had Day 3 bw and my FSH came back 10.1  !!!

I wanted to know if any of you have had this experience.  I also took royal jelly/bee pollen and wheatgrass twice a day.

I would love to hear from any of you.  I am 40 years old and will have IVF #3 in a few weeks.

[nshapland]

I didn't have my FSH tested between IVFs but I did start taking DHEA two months prior to the second IVF(and human growth hormone during actual stimulation) and the dr said the embryos looked much better this time around. I find out Nov 8 if it worked

[peppypeep]

what type of human grown hormone did you use?  What is it called and where can I get it?
I would like to try and if you can find out any more info about your embryos, can you let me know - like how big they were on day 3 and how much fragmentation if any.  I'm really curious.  Right now I am on bc pills, I stopped taking DHEA during this time.  Do you know if I can resume or is it too risky?  Just curious, anything you know would be helpful.

Thanks so much for your response!  and good luck on Nov. 8, I am wishing you all the baby dust in the world!  :)

[nshapland]

Last time there was much more fragmentation, but I had an 8 cell and a 9 cell. This time (after DHEA and growth hormone) one was a compacted 8 cell, one was an eight cell non-compacted and one was a 10 cell and the other two were "ok" (he didn't tell me the number of cells and being on Valium for the transfer, I didn't think to ask).
As for the growth hormone: he just called it human growth hormone and said lots of people in hollywood take it bc they think it will help them to stay young. It was prescription and an injectible and I did it four times during stimulation: the first day, the third, the fifth and the seventh. You could ask your dr or call the pharmacy where you get your IVF meeds.
Good luck to you : )

[peppypeep]

Those embies sound great!  Wow.   I hope I can get good ones like that.  Thank you for telling me, that gives me huge hope.  If you find out any more info, please let me know.
This could be your time!  

Good luck to you, I'm sure you will have success this time.  *********baby dust***** to you!

Meanwhile, I am still on bc pills and looking forward to getting off of them and starting stims.

[BeeHappy76]

Hi ladies, I was wondering whether you had your hormones tested before starting DHEA? My ovarian reserve is borderline and someone recommended DHEA to me, but said to test hormones first. I have not talked about it with my RE yet. Also, did you just use the over-the-counter DHEA that they sell in the vitamin/supplement section? Thanks!

[peppypeep]

I did not have my hormones tested beforehand, I just bought the over the counter DHEA (25mg pills) and took 50mg per day for a month or so.  I read that it is most effective after 3 months and peaks at 4 months.  It is good to talk to your doctor beforehand.  I just did it because I thought it would help.  My FSH is lower, so I attributed that to the DHEA being in my system at the time.  I'm also taking royal jelly/bee pollen, wheatgrass (in powder form), Co10q, melatonin and the prenatal vitamin.  Something has got to work!!!

I stopped taking the DHEA once I started the bc pills.  When the bc pills stop I will resume for a few days and then stop once I stim.  By the way, what was you FSH?

[BeeHappy76]

Thanks. I have not had my FSH tested for 2 yrs (and I think it was 7 then). But I recently had AMH done (a different test for ovarian reserve) and it was 1.8. RE said he likes to see it above 2, and he considers <1 poor ovarian reserve and 1-2 borderline. My antral follicle count was 5, which is also borderline I guess. They like to see it around 15. I have also been taking royal jelly, wheatgrass and CoQ. My RE is very old school and has the view that supplements are unregulated and no concrete evidence that they work, so I have been hesitant to ask him about DHEA. I have heard such good things about it, though. Wondering if I should give it a try...

[peppypeep]

As far as DHEA, I was a little scared to take it at first.  Finally, after reading so much about it including a recent article (in July , 2010) in Science Daily (not sure how scientific it is or how highly rated it is) - I just decided that there was enough "talk" about it that was positive to convince me to take the pills for a month and see what happens.  If lowering my FSH by 2 points is the result - then it was worth it.  Hopefully, this will reflect healthier, stronger eggs as well.  

The only thing my doctor recommended was acupuncture - and I am doing that as well.  He said he didn't care what supplements I take, as long as I don't take them during the IVF cycle.  DHEA can interfere with bc pills - I found some talk about that online. Anyway, that is what I did because I didn't see any harm in trying it for a month or so.  Who knows, maybe there is something to it!!!

Good luck to you and *******baby dust****** - let me know if you find out anything more.
:)

[BeeHappy76]

Thanks for the info. That is great that it lowered your FSH 2 points! I have been on injectables for the past 3 cycles, so I guess it sounds like it's not such a good idea if doing stims. If we end up taking a break I think I will try it. I have been doing weekly acupuncture as well.

Good luck to you, too! :) I hope IVF #3 is a lucky one!

[nshapland]

My dr prescribes micronized DHEA (he says its better than the regular) and I get it at a compounding pharmacy. But my acupuncturist also sells micronized DHEA.  The only thing I changed was taking the DHEA and human growth hormone and I had a better month this month...but I had to quit taking the DHEA the day of the trigger shot and can't start again til I get my period (of course, if i'm pregnant, and I pray I am, I won't have to take it again)
Baby dust to everyone...

[peppypeep]

Nshapland: I am really interested to know how this cycle turns out for you. I am looking forward to hearing your news on the 8th - especially with such a great embryos!

Good luck and please let me know. :)

Beehappy: Thanks for your encouragement, I really need it right now.  I hope this is the lucky one too!!!!   Please let me know if you decide to take DHEA,  I would like to know how it works for you.  

****baby dust*****