First Post-Need Advice on what to explore after finding out I have high FSH

[fe6912]

Hi,
This is my first post on here. I found this site after using google to find answers to what the fertility clinic told me. I have not been officially diagnosed with POF but from what I have been told and read online, it seems to me that I do have POF. In May, I went to a local fertility clinic to be an egg donator. After my ultrasound and two blood tests, I was told I could not donate because my FSH level was a 33, my AMH level is <.16. The clinic told me that it would be very difficult to conceive on my own but if I ever wanted to use an egg donator then to contact them. My boyfriend and I have talked extensively about marriage and kids and we are both on the same page. We are not ready to get married just yet but when we do, we know we will be trying to get pregnant as soon as that happens. I am 25 years old and not really sure where to go next for help and/or answers to deal with POF. I have an appt with my GYN next week but as I have read on this forum, that might not be the best route but to see an endocrinologist first. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[claudia35]

Hi fe6912 -- Just wanted to drop you a line and say that there are options for you, and don't give up hope! I am 38.5 weeks pregnant (age 35) after being diagnosed last summer with high FSH (24) and low AMH (.16). I went to three doctors -- the final one, Dr. Gleicher at CHR, gave me some great cutting-edge drugs, and I ovulated in October and became pregnant. I also explored alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, and wheatgrass juice.

I would suggest picking up a copy of Julia Indichova's book "Inconceivable." She had an FSH of 42.

As for marriage, I do agree you are in a tough spot and time is of the essence (most physicians will advise you to try right away). But you are lucky to be in a loving and committed relationship: That is not always the case for us with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). And you are lucky you found out when you did. There are women who have conceived with FSH as high as 41, 42.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions on what I did, exactly. Of course, I believe luck did play into my pregnancy, but I wouldn't have had the chance without great medical help.

[angelbelle711]

Hi there

Like claudia35 said, it does seem that time is of the essence when dealing with high FSH, low AMH, etc... if conceiving with your own eggs is important to you. My gynecologist ordered my first FSH test, but as soon as the results were in (my FSH was 154) he referred me to a specialist, a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). My second RE is on Monday, but everything still feels like it is going in slow motion, which is frustrating. So, my advice to you is, if using your own eggs to conceive is important to you, try to get a referral to an RE. This way, you know you're moving to the next level of care should you wish to go the route of TTC in the near future. My personal experience has been frustrating because, with all the doctor visits I've had since March about my premature ovarian failure, I feel like things are moving way too slowly... but I think that comes from the desperate feeling that many women get when they learn that they have POF, or at least symptoms resembling POF.

As far as I've been told by a Canadian RE, a diagnosis of POF is made after 2 high FSH levels. I've heard some say that the tests should be 2 months apart, however this depends on whether you have a cycle or not (if you do have a cycle, the blood is taken on day 3 of your cycle because that is when your FSH will be the highest). In my case, I do not have a cycle and have not had one for many months now (getting very close to a year now) so my blood is taken any old time for my FSH levels.

Good luck to you

[KatheAtFertilityAuthority]

fe6912,

Welcome!

I wanted to offer you encouragement and hope. I have been down the AFT road for 7 years and any support and advice was always very helpful.

Can I ask if you have a Reproductive Endocrinologist? You mentioned you went to a clinic. I noticed too you will have met with a GYN. With my years
of going through a lot of struggles. It is probably best to see a Reprod Endo. They are the best doctors for what you are going through.

Thanks,
Kathe