High FSH

Last year, April 2007 at 42 I became pregnant.  I was not trying to conceive and I have no idea what my FSH levels were at the time.  Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage.   After the loss, I have been under extreme stress and depression.  Now at 43 I have been told my FSH level is at 31.  My doctor explained that at this level, my changes of conceiving with my eggs is impossible and if I did, due to the FSH level, there is a high chance of miscarriage.  I am still a bit confused as to the role FSH levels play into the ability to get pregnant.  I have read that women with high FSH can get pregnant, but the eggs are not 'healthy' and therefore result in miscarriage.  Is this necessarily true?  Or is high FSH a factor in even getting pregnant at all?  Not knowing my FSH at the time of my pregnancy, I am not sure where I really stand fertility wise at this point with being able to get pregnant again and if I did, my chances of having a healthy pregnancy and child.   Is stress adding to the high levels?  All of this is so overwhelming.  Any advice?

[adgal]

Basically FSH is a number that sort of lets you know the quality of your egg.  Its normal for that number to get higher the older we get.  I have heard of women conceiving with a very high FSH and going on to have a healthy pregnancy, but in all honesty I don't think its that common.  There is information on the internet, natural ways to lower the number.  I'm not sure how dependable that information is, but if you google lowering FSH levels, it should come up.  I am not sure if stress plays a factor or not, but it wouldn't surprise me.  Stress seems to affect everything.  I am so sorry for your loss, and I hope all works out for you.  Take care, and good luck to you!

[40smama]

I took the liberty of googling high FSH numbers & the significance and came up w/several websites - here's one and I hope it helps -

www.fertilitycommunity.com/fertility/what-is-significance-of-fsh-levels.html  - good luck!

[Chookdee]

Hi,
From what I understand, FSH ( follicle stimulating hormone ) gives an indication of your " ovarian reserve"..( how many eggs left ). So the higher the FSH, the greater amount of the hormone that is needed to kick start the follicle into releasing an egg. So the higher the #, the fewer the eggs that u have, and possibly the poorer quality egg..
I think however that age is more of an indication of of egg quality than fsh..
I am sorry for your loss and wish you the very best in your journey!

[kiaragirl]

Surely it doesnt matter how many eggs you have left as we are born with thousands of eggs????

[over40momwanttobe465]

I was confused about what role the FSH played and was relieved to know that it was not the only factor. I am 42 and am trying to have a baby.  My FSH level is around 14 on day 3 of my cycle, which means I have less eggs in my reserve and it is difficult to pinpoint ovulation.  To help overcome this hurdle, my doctor strongly recommends that I use an over the counter ovulation kit. In additon, my estrogen level on day 3 of my cycle is low, which means my eggs are healthy. FYI -- I have a friend that had this same issue, higher FSH, over 40 , and low estrogen......she used the ovulation kit and was able to conceive within 3 months.....and ultimately she gave birth a to healthy baby boy.  

[vlinderi]

I was so pleased to read your comment. Today [I was 42 2 weeks ago] I got results of FSH 14 on Day3 and my physician pretty much advised me to 'accept it' and move on, that I have a very low chance of becoming pregnant with IVF or IUI. I am single and searching for ds. However, this may mean me going outside of my country of residence which adds complications in logistics, work etc. I feel like I have just been given the worst scenario, what are people's experiences of FSH 14 or over , over 40 ? How have you managed to reduce this. WIth blood and temp tests for just one month, I do not have a comparison on FSh over a longer period. Simply not sure of which route to take next, absorbing the shock at the moment.

[trying43]

I have heard dhea can bring it down. You can get it over the counter.  Also I dont think fsh alone is an indicator of egg quality, There are other tests that need to be done.  Amh and estrogen should also be tested along with a day 21 progesterone test to see how well you are ovulating.  (my re used all of these tests on me.  My ob used only fsh and i was told i probably wouldnt be able to get pg.  My re proved them wrong, i am now 16w2d) Good luck to you.