FSH is a nightmare !

[randaar]

Can I ask what an RE is?

Iam new to this site ... Iam 44 years old newly married I hv many problems in regards to pregnancy ... the age of course in addition to a hypo thyroid which is fine now as Iam taking medicine....Iam unable to get pregnant naturally because I have a history of endometriosis with tubes adhesions...my FSH tested 30 at one point and now it is 18 ....I tried DHEA for 6 months and it did nothing...I tried some ovulation stimulating drugs and it did not work either ...it seems my body is not responding to all this ...doctors of course give you the same drugs they give everyone else regardless and they say there is nothing more you can do ....I dont suppose there is anything else I can do ...

[miraculous]

I agree in part with the others in that it will be extremely difficult to conceive at 44 with your own eggs. Having said that whilst you are still getting a monthly period it is theoretically possible to conceive but the odds are against you.
I had been ttc for a couple of years and sought some fertility help and it didn't work. It cost a lot of money and caused a great deal of stress, they also told me at my age (nearly 44) that my only option was donor eggs but as I already had 2 healthy young boys I decided to call it a day and accept my fate. As for fsh numbers yes they do give you and indication of your ovarian reserve and the quality of your eggs BUT remember you still have eggs it just means that they are not of good quality as they deteriorate with age as we become older. Iam currently pregnant at the moment and wasn't even trying and my fsh at one stage was 44 YES 44 so as long as you are ovulating each month it is possible. I suppose it depends how long you are willing to keep trying before you think about the alternatives.
Best of luck to you








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[prevatt77]

I was able to concieve my son with an FSH of 16.  He is 6 months old today and very healthy.  I think you FSH changes throughout your cycle.

[YvetteY]

An RE is an infertilty doctor.  It is an abbreviation for reproductive endocrinologist.  He will deal more with the hormones (endocrinologist).  Women will usually resort to these types of doctors to try to get pregnant thru the use of ovarian stimulating drugs, intrauterine (or someother type) insemination (IUI) , or IVF.    They also do surgeries and what not, but basically you see them for IUI or IVF or clomid.  

If they are giving you clomid, I'd hold off on that..you FSH level is high even at 18.   And it is hard as heck to stimulate the ovaries with a high FSH level.  Also you are 44 years old and it's going to be very very hard to get pregnant and sustain a pregnancy to full term.  Very very very very few women can get pregnant (on their own or with help) at the age of 44.  I'm not saying that it is impossible, but it's extremely difficult.  

DHEA won't really do anything special for you in TTC, and it's good your thyroid is under control.   Your body isn't responding because you are fighting Mother Nature....seriously at this point we are intended to have babies (anthropoligically speaking) and this is primarily due to poor egg quality and low ovarian reserve.

Your best option is to visit an RE and see what he tells you to do.  There is a test called anti mullerian (sp) hormone test and it is suppose to be better than the FSH for detecting ovarian reserve. If that level comes back abnormal than you are probably just spinning your wheels trying to get pregnant.  I would ask for that test VS FSH.   FSH can change from month to month and can be masked with lower levels because estrogen level might be too high or whatever.  

I wouldn't bother with clomid at this point.   In all honestly with a FSH level like yours and your age it will be an uphill battle.  Your fertility dramatically has decreased at this point.   Have you ever considered donor eggs?    My FSH level was 11 and I gave up on my own after 5 miscarriages.  Something to consider...but ask about that test I mentioned that will give you a better overall picture of your ovarian reserve.