High FSH and IVF...curious and need info.

[ashort]

Hi girls!  So my HCG was 23 on Monday..which isn't surprising b/c I m/c...think it's almost over though. This is the first time I have m/c naturally so this is new for me.  On Monday my RE mentioned that he thinks what might be causing my m/c is an elevated FSH level.  Mine this month was 12.  He said it should be less then 10.  He said there isn't much they can do for that.  To tell you the truth I was surprised b/c I am 31.  Dh and I asked him about IVF.  I figured the fact that they could grade the eggs and put the good ones back would make sense.  My RE said that unfortuntely this isn't the case.  He said that the results haven't been good for people with high FSH.  Has anybody else heard this.  He wants to put me on injectibles and do IUI.  He seems to think maybe if I have more eggs my chances might be better that one of them sticks.  Does anybody have any advice??
thanks!

[Houston79]

Thats a good thing that you m/c on your own! I've been there where I want my levels at 0 too.  Hmm.  Well, I hope things go well for you in Sept.  Actually, I hope you conceive on your own before you can get to Sept.  That would be awesome!

[ashort]

Thanks again girls!  Your support means so much.  I went back and had another Beta today.  He told me that my u/s was good.  It looks like I m/c on my own...which I knew.  I'm hoping for a big 0 when I get my bloodwork tomorrow...never thought I would say that..LOL.  So while I was there I picked his brain a little bit.  He said for me to call him in Sept. when we are ready to do IUI again.  He definately wants me on injectibles at that point.  I wish Dh didn't want to take a break...I just want to get preg. and stay preg....like now would be good.  My RE told me that we can try naturally for now and we may possibly get preg. on our own.  He said it could happen that I have a good egg in the works that monrh.  I asked him about acupuncture and he wasn't for it.  I've been going anyway.  It's funny his nurse asked me if I tried it.  She said that my RE doesn't believe in it but she has seen it work in patients.  She is in charge of the egg donor program...if all else fails I guess we can look into that later.  She did say some RE's don't even consider 12 high.  She said it's the "gray area".  So that made me feel better.  I never imagined this would be such a battle and take so long.  I told my RE people are very polite and say they are sorry...and I thank them...I just feel like I'm on a mission and I'm so focused that if I have to lose 10 babies I will just to be able to hold one eventually.  Thanks again ladies...I really appreciate all the positive posts!

[kp1212]

I, too, have elevated FSH (15).  The way my RE has explained the correlation is that a high FSH indicates decreased ovarian reserve, and when you have decreased ovarian reserve, often times the quality of the eggs is reduced (high FSH=decreased quantity of eggs and often times decreased quality).  This, I guess, is the reason for lower success rates for IVF.  

I am sorry for your m/c.  That is just so unfair.  I do hope for the best for you...

[babyalive]

I'm so sorry you've had to deal with so many m/c's.  One is hard enough, much less more than one.  I am very sorry you've had to suffer through several of them. My dr. has told me the same thing about IVF in regard to high FSH.  But, his criteria is a bit higher.  He has said FSH over 15 makes IVF much more difficult and significantly lowers your chances of carrying a baby to term.   But, you are also fairly young and research shows that age trumps elevated fsh.  I would get a second opinion.  However, my dr has said that IUI with a medicated cycle has a higher success rate than IVF and that your body will naturally select the best quality eggs, the same way an IVF cycle would.  Here is a good web site for women with elevated fsh.

www.advancedfertility.com

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

[Narelle76]

My FSH is elevated, it's a 12.  The only thing my RE said in regards to this was that he didn't want my DH and I to waste any time.  He wanted to be aggressive with treatment, but he wanted to start with the less invasive.  I did start out with IVF (my choice) before moving to IUI, but my RE was more than confident that we would be able to have children.  I agree with Sasparilla, your RE does not sound too hopeful or reassuring.  Please do not let what he said deter you.  Good luck and SSBD!!

[sasparilla]

Yep, Ashort, it was my first IVF cycle.  Pretty much stinks, but I'll get over it.  (what can you do?).  I still think IVF could work for you (and me).  You know the drill, never say never.
Good luck!!!