Does BMI Impact HCG Level?

reneeolay · 01-14-2008, 09:05 PM

HI - been going through IVF (twice) and several IUI attempts - no luck yet.

Rumor has it we have a 20% chance, but I want to figure out a way to increase our chances. So, we keep getting to the point of 3or 4 grade 4 embryos and tried assisted hatching last time, but for some reason, they just won't "stick". Given the correlation between BMI and certain medications, I wonder if there is a need forincreased dosage of HCG in "full figured" ladies or if this may even increase chances. Anyone have any ideas? We took 10K units last time and the doctor said he'd up it to 20K. Anyone have any suggestions? Where can I learn more?

Stats
34 yrs old
6'2
weigh too much
tried brevell one round and had to cancel it - I seem to only respond to follistem.

Second Chances · 02-25-2008, 08:43 PM

Funny to come across your thread, I was just coming to this forum to ask a question about how long HCG at 20,000 iu should stay in your system.

I am also in Jacksonville but am doing IUI/follisitm/clomid this month for the first time.

kristinen · 02-26-2008, 01:15 PM

The rule of thumb is the old 1000 per day leaves your body....but I think a lot depends upon how you metabolize it as well.

Last cycle I did a 10,000 trigger...it was out of my system in 6 days. Did a follow up 5,000 triger, and that also was out within a few days.

Did have a BFP..but ended in M/C..

Good luck to you!!

dodiedon · 02-26-2008, 04:11 PM

I posted a thread months ago because a fertility doctor told me that clomid doesn't work on bmi's over 30. I was 32. He stopped treatment saying that we would resume when I lost 25lbs. I was 39 at the time I wasn't waiting. So I moved on to someone else.

I received countless replies of women larger and shorter than me who responded to low doses of meds as well and received a bfp. Do not lose hope and do not get size in your head. It is stressful enough trying to deal with infertility and statistics without adding weight into the mixture. Many thin women have to have their dosages adjusted as well and it is just because each body is different.

I've responded to the meds and learned that the fertility issue is DH low sperm count so I have to do IVF.

I am 6" (nice to read about other tall girls). Anyway I took the lowest possible dose of clomid on my first try I got BFP. Unfortunately it ended in a miscarriage. That doctor was wrong. Sometimes they are.

Statistics are not the end all. Best of luck to you.

reneeolay · 02-28-2008, 09:19 PM

Thanks, Dodiedon. Going for round 3 in a few weeks.

Hey Second Chances - hope your IUI is going well. Not sure how long it stays in ones system, but I am trying to figure it out. We're going for round 3 IVF in a few weeks, and of course we're desperately trying to make sure we're better informed this time around. How long have you been trying? What part of Jacksonville is home? We're in PVB.

Second Chances · 02-29-2008, 09:58 AM

We are currently in Callahan, and trying desperately to get out of here! lol

Somewhere a little less 'country' would be good. Are you going to FIRM? I went there for a year or so.

I"m still in the early days of my IUI cycle, I haven't even started injectables yet. That's on Saturday. Hoping that this will be my first and last try.

BTW, I would be interested to know what clinic you are going to. FIRM cancelled my IVF at the last minute because they said I was too fat to knock out. I am hoping there are more friendly clinics around. We went back to IUI because I couldn't find any.

reneeolay · 02-29-2008, 07:35 PM

We've been going to Assisted Fertility and they are wonderful. After our first failed IVF attempt, we went to FIRM for a second opinion. We met with Dr. Winslow and after they set me up for the next IVF cycle, conducted expensive tests, then came back and told me I had to lose 70 lbs before he would approve IVF. I'm 6'2 and while I am overwight, I carry it pretty well (so they tell me), but not to the point where you can't tell I am overweight. I mean, I am a BIG girl. I had the absolute worst experience with Dr. Winslow and his team, and complained to him after the fact about the time I invested and wasted in his office (multiple appts). You'd think they could tell I am overweight by looking at me, and not waiting until just before the procedure. I think that guy is a joke. They ended up crediting me back for all of the charges, however didn't credit me for the time I took away from work. Nonetheless, Dr. Winslow learned everything he knows from Dr. Shaykh. Dr. Shaykh's practice is much more relaxed and not so "marketing-related" if you will. He is affiliated with Memorial Hospital, and while I am not the biggest fan of Memorial, I am a big fan of Dr. Shaykh. I recommend trying him out. The clinic's website is http://www.assistedfertility.org/

I hope the IUI works for you,but if not, there is Assisted Fertility. Please keep me posted in how it goes!

Second Chances · 03-01-2008, 11:10 AM

OMG!

I cannot believe what happened to you, it is the SAME THING that happened to ME! 2 years and $11,000 worth of tests and appointments later they cancelled my IVF cycle on cd 5 because I was too fat.

I had Dr. Duffy and he had the gall to call and leave me a VOICE MAIL MESSAGE telling me the cycle was cancelled and that I should go see my GP to have my stomach stapled and come back when I lost 60 lbs!

I was hysterical. Even now, a year later, I'm still furious about it. I would love to go see your Doctor, if you don't mind me asking, has he said anything about BMI or weight? And is he expensive.

I can't believe the same thing happened to BOTH of us at FIRM

reneeolay · 03-02-2008, 09:53 AM

FIRM is the most inconsiderate place. I don't think we are the only ones they've said that to. You ought to consider getting some of that money back. My issue is that if you knew I was too fat to begin with, why would you take my money? They are awful!

At this place there's been no mention of weight, and in fact one of the 4 other patients who went through IVF with me last round, was also overweight and now she is pregant with twins! I really don't think weight plays a big role in it. Other than some research I am doing on how much HCG larger women should take as compared to smaller women. What I am reading is that larger women should have higher HCG. This round my doctor is trying 20,000 HCG. Keeping my fingers crossed.

After the last IVF, I did a pregnancy test after day 7, and there was no detection of HCG, which really makes me believe that I needed more (given my size). Seven days after doing the intial HCG shot, it should still be detectable.

I think we were charged around $11K total for ICSI IVF this last time.

Second Chances · 03-02-2008, 04:27 PM

I"m doing the higher HCG too, I also bought a bunch of internet pg tests and I will test every day to see when the HCG leaves my system, since even my OB didn't have an answer to the testing issue.

01-14-2008, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
reneeolay 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 18	Does BMI Impact HCG Level? HI - been going through IVF (twice) and several IUI attempts - no luck yet. Rumor has it we have a 20% chance, but I want to figure out a way to increase our chances. So, we keep getting to the point of 3or 4 grade 4 embryos and tried assisted hatching last time, but for some reason, they just won't "stick". Given the correlation between BMI and certain medications, I wonder if there is a need forincreased dosage of HCG in "full figured" ladies or if this may even increase chances. Anyone have any ideas? We took 10K units last time and the doctor said he'd up it to 20K. Anyone have any suggestions? Where can I learn more? Stats 34 yrs old 6'2 weigh too much tried brevell one round and had to cancel it - I seem to only respond to follistem. Last edited by reneeolay; 03-02-2008 at 03:45 PM.

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02-25-2008, 08:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Second Chances Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 1,085	Funny to come across your thread, I was just coming to this forum to ask a question about how long HCG at 20,000 iu should stay in your system. I am also in Jacksonville but am doing IUI/follisitm/clomid this month for the first time.

02-26-2008, 01:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
kristinen Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 51	The rule of thumb is the old 1000 per day leaves your body....but I think a lot depends upon how you metabolize it as well. Last cycle I did a 10,000 trigger...it was out of my system in 6 days. Did a follow up 5,000 triger, and that also was out within a few days. Did have a BFP..but ended in M/C.. Good luck to you!!

02-26-2008, 04:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
dodiedon 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: California Posts: 83	I posted a thread months ago because a fertility doctor told me that clomid doesn't work on bmi's over 30. I was 32. He stopped treatment saying that we would resume when I lost 25lbs. I was 39 at the time I wasn't waiting. So I moved on to someone else. I received countless replies of women larger and shorter than me who responded to low doses of meds as well and received a bfp. Do not lose hope and do not get size in your head. It is stressful enough trying to deal with infertility and statistics without adding weight into the mixture. Many thin women have to have their dosages adjusted as well and it is just because each body is different. I've responded to the meds and learned that the fertility issue is DH low sperm count so I have to do IVF. I am 6" (nice to read about other tall girls). Anyway I took the lowest possible dose of clomid on my first try I got BFP. Unfortunately it ended in a miscarriage. That doctor was wrong. Sometimes they are. Statistics are not the end all. Best of luck to you.

02-28-2008, 09:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
reneeolay 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 18	Thanks, Dodiedon. Going for round 3 in a few weeks. Hey Second Chances - hope your IUI is going well. Not sure how long it stays in ones system, but I am trying to figure it out. We're going for round 3 IVF in a few weeks, and of course we're desperately trying to make sure we're better informed this time around. How long have you been trying? What part of Jacksonville is home? We're in PVB.

02-29-2008, 09:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Second Chances Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 1,085	We are currently in Callahan, and trying desperately to get out of here! lol Somewhere a little less 'country' would be good. Are you going to FIRM? I went there for a year or so. I"m still in the early days of my IUI cycle, I haven't even started injectables yet. That's on Saturday. Hoping that this will be my first and last try. BTW, I would be interested to know what clinic you are going to. FIRM cancelled my IVF at the last minute because they said I was too fat to knock out. I am hoping there are more friendly clinics around. We went back to IUI because I couldn't find any.

02-29-2008, 07:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
reneeolay 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 18	We've been going to Assisted Fertility and they are wonderful. After our first failed IVF attempt, we went to FIRM for a second opinion. We met with Dr. Winslow and after they set me up for the next IVF cycle, conducted expensive tests, then came back and told me I had to lose 70 lbs before he would approve IVF. I'm 6'2 and while I am overwight, I carry it pretty well (so they tell me), but not to the point where you can't tell I am overweight. I mean, I am a BIG girl. I had the absolute worst experience with Dr. Winslow and his team, and complained to him after the fact about the time I invested and wasted in his office (multiple appts). You'd think they could tell I am overweight by looking at me, and not waiting until just before the procedure. I think that guy is a joke. They ended up crediting me back for all of the charges, however didn't credit me for the time I took away from work. Nonetheless, Dr. Winslow learned everything he knows from Dr. Shaykh. Dr. Shaykh's practice is much more relaxed and not so "marketing-related" if you will. He is affiliated with Memorial Hospital, and while I am not the biggest fan of Memorial, I am a big fan of Dr. Shaykh. I recommend trying him out. The clinic's website is http://www.assistedfertility.org/ I hope the IUI works for you,but if not, there is Assisted Fertility. Please keep me posted in how it goes!

03-01-2008, 11:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
Second Chances Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 1,085	OMG! I cannot believe what happened to you, it is the SAME THING that happened to ME! 2 years and $11,000 worth of tests and appointments later they cancelled my IVF cycle on cd 5 because I was too fat. I had Dr. Duffy and he had the gall to call and leave me a VOICE MAIL MESSAGE telling me the cycle was cancelled and that I should go see my GP to have my stomach stapled and come back when I lost 60 lbs! I was hysterical. Even now, a year later, I'm still furious about it. I would love to go see your Doctor, if you don't mind me asking, has he said anything about BMI or weight? And is he expensive. I can't believe the same thing happened to BOTH of us at FIRM

03-02-2008, 09:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
reneeolay 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 18	FIRM is the most inconsiderate place. I don't think we are the only ones they've said that to. You ought to consider getting some of that money back. My issue is that if you knew I was too fat to begin with, why would you take my money? They are awful! At this place there's been no mention of weight, and in fact one of the 4 other patients who went through IVF with me last round, was also overweight and now she is pregant with twins! I really don't think weight plays a big role in it. Other than some research I am doing on how much HCG larger women should take as compared to smaller women. What I am reading is that larger women should have higher HCG. This round my doctor is trying 20,000 HCG. Keeping my fingers crossed. After the last IVF, I did a pregnancy test after day 7, and there was no detection of HCG, which really makes me believe that I needed more (given my size). Seven days after doing the intial HCG shot, it should still be detectable. I think we were charged around $11K total for ICSI IVF this last time.

03-02-2008, 04:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Second Chances Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 1,085	I"m doing the higher HCG too, I also bought a bunch of internet pg tests and I will test every day to see when the HCG leaves my system, since even my OB didn't have an answer to the testing issue.