anyone over 35 going for fertility treatments this year? IUI, IVF etc

[readyformore]

Well ladies, I'm joining the IVF club!

Got my AMH test results today and was at 0.68 which is low so doctor recommended IVF asap!

I'm a little freaked out at the low reserve and the quick jump to IVF! Just makes me so mad that doctors don't offer this test at pre-TTC meetings. I would have gladly paid to know my egg count so I could have known that I had limited time!

So starting BCP's tonight and start injections / IVF in October.

That's really interesting. My AMH is 0.7 and my doc didn't even discuss IVF. She recommended IUI or sex with meds first.

I guess that each doc thinks different.

 

[onmymind17]

Well ladies, I'm joining the IVF club!

Got my AMH test results today and was at 0.68 which is low so doctor recommended IVF asap!

I'm a little freaked out at the low reserve and the quick jump to IVF! Just makes me so mad that doctors don't offer this test at pre-TTC meetings. I would have gladly paid to know my egg count so I could have known that I had limited time!

So starting BCP's tonight and start injections / IVF in October.

That's really interesting. My AMH is 0.7 and my doc didn't even discuss IVF. She recommended IUI or sex with meds first.

I guess that each doc thinks different.

What is a good AMH number? I have never had mine tested, the only think i know was my FSH day 3 was 7.2 the last time. I am sure this new doctor will check AMH so i wanted to have a good idea of what is a good number.

 

[Indigo77]

CD3 BLOOD WORK
Hormone testing is performed on (CD) 3 (or 2 or 4) and is a simple blood test.

ESTRADIOL (E2) - is produced by the ovary and levels should be low in the early part of the menstrual cycle. High day 3 levels may indicate a cyst in the ovary or diminished ovarian reserve.

• LESS THAN 80 pg/mL......normal
  
• 80-100 pg/mL.............borderline
  
• OVER 100 pg/mL..........abnormal

​

PROLACTIN -Both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are necessary for ovulation. If, for example, hyperlactinemia is caused by a prolactionoma, a tumor in the pituitary gland, then this could interfere with the secretion of LH and FSH. Any change in LH and FSH can cause ovulation and menstrual abnormalities. The normal range for hormone levels will vary between laboratories.

• PROLACTIN < 24 ng/ ml

LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH)- is produced by the pituitary gland and levels are increased before ovulation. A LH/FSH ratio of greater than 2:1 or 3:1 may be diagnostic of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

• LH < 7 mlIU/ml

FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) - is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the egg maturation process. High day 3 FSH levels are associated with diminished ovarian reserve.

• FSH

• 9 or less ~ Normal FSH level
• 9 - 11 ~ Fair. Slightly reduced live birth rate.
• 11- 15 ~ Reduced ovarian reserve. Reduced live birth rate.
• 15 - 20 ~ Low ovarian reserve.
• Over 20 ~ Very poor ovarian reserve

.​

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AMH

• Optimal Fertility...............28.6 pmol/L &#8211; 48.5 pmol/L
• Satisfactory Fertility.........15.7 pmol/L &#8211; 28.6 pmol/L
• Low Fertility......................2.2 pmol/L &#8211; 15.7 pmol/L
• Very Low/Undetectable.......0.0 pmol/L &#8211; 2.2 pmol/L

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEMEN ANALYSIS

WHO 2010 CRITERIA

• pH: 7.2 or higher
• White Blood Cells: Less than 1 x 106/mL
  
  
• Volume: 1.5 mL
• Concentration: 15M/mL
• Count: 40 million
• Motility: 40%
• Vitality: 58%
• Morphology: - This is a very controversial test which is quickly becoming outdated as a test. Please touch base with your male infertility specialist before taking this test too seriously.

WHO 2009 CRITERIA

• Volume: 1.5 ml
• Concentration: 15 million/ml
• Count: 39 million
• Motility: 40%
• Vitality: 58%
• Morphology: 4%

 

[readyformore]

Well ladies, I'm joining the IVF club!

Got my AMH test results today and was at 0.68 which is low so doctor recommended IVF asap!

I'm a little freaked out at the low reserve and the quick jump to IVF! Just makes me so mad that doctors don't offer this test at pre-TTC meetings. I would have gladly paid to know my egg count so I could have known that I had limited time!

So starting BCP's tonight and start injections / IVF in October.

That's really interesting. My AMH is 0.7 and my doc didn't even discuss IVF. She recommended IUI or sex with meds first.

I guess that each doc thinks different.

What is a good AMH number? I have never had mine tested, the only think i know was my FSH day 3 was 7.2 the last time. I am sure this new doctor will check AMH so i wanted to have a good idea of what is a good number.

And my FSH was 9.0 & 10.6.
Doc said anything under 11 was good.

 

[wana b a mom]

Well ladies, I'm joining the IVF club!

Got my AMH test results today and was at 0.68 which is low so doctor recommended IVF asap!

I'm a little freaked out at the low reserve and the quick jump to IVF! Just makes me so mad that doctors don't offer this test at pre-TTC meetings. I would have gladly paid to know my egg count so I could have known that I had limited time!

So starting BCP's tonight and start injections / IVF in October.

good luck hockey!! I am sure October will be your month!!!

 

[sarahincanada]

Hi ladies! I had a quick question.

can we still ovulate on our own while taking fertility meds? Im not 100% sure but I swear I feel like Im ovulating right now and Im scheduled to take the trigger tomorrow at 4pm....

any help is greatly appreciated

YES you can definitely surge and ovulate on your own with fertility meds....I did that last month as they were waiting for another follicle to catch up. Are you having ovulation pains then? could be from the stimulation, are they doing bloods on you soon as they can detect the LH surge from that.

 

[sarahincanada]

I asked about the AMH test today and she said they order it if theres a concern with bloods, my FSH was 5 and 3.5 one time, but Id like to know my AMH so may ask for it.

hockey24 thats so exciting, I just know this thread is going to be full of BFPS beftween now and december

I notice you are on BC pills for a month, why is that? I was hoping in November on CD1 if I wanted to I could switch from IUI to IVF, LL you mentioned they could probably do that if I have a couple of tests ahead of time. But I hear of people on BC pills for a month before and wondered why. If my 1st injectable cycle doesnt work Im asking next month. Im desperately trying to find the $ to do IVF in November but not sure if I will be successful.

 

[crystal443]

Well ladies, I'm joining the IVF club!

Got my AMH test results today and was at 0.68 which is low so doctor recommended IVF asap!

I'm a little freaked out at the low reserve and the quick jump to IVF! Just makes me so mad that doctors don't offer this test at pre-TTC meetings. I would have gladly paid to know my egg count so I could have known that I had limited time!

So starting BCP's tonight and start injections / IVF in October.

Good Luck Hockey!!! I start my IVF cycle in a few weeks..no down reg for me though.

 

[crystal443]

I asked about the AMH test today and she said they order it if theres a concern with bloods, my FSH was 5 and 3.5 one time, but Id like to know my AMH so may ask for it.

hockey24 thats so exciting, I just know this thread is going to be full of BFPS beftween now and december

I notice you are on BC pills for a month, why is that? I was hoping in November on CD1 if I wanted to I could switch from IUI to IVF, LL you mentioned they could probably do that if I have a couple of tests ahead of time. But I hear of people on BC pills for a month before and wondered why. If my 1st injectable cycle doesnt work Im asking next month. Im desperately trying to find the $ to do IVF in November but not sure if I will be successful.

Sarah- the BCP are for down regulating..which means the BCP gives your ovaries a rest before stimming. The full IVF cycle is longer as well..I think with down reg a cycle is 6-8 weeks and a Flare Cycle or short protocol is about the same time as a normal cycle so about 28-30 days.

 

[hockey24]

I'm really glad that I asked about the AMH as my gyno didn't do it when I asked. Only did FSH - which was normal. After reading about AMH on this site (love this forum), I asked my FS to do the test. If I hadn't asked for it specifically, I don't think anyone would have done it until we started the injectable or IVF stage.

Readyformore - that makes me hopeful that your doc wasn't as concerned about jumping to IVF. My doc might be in more of rush because I'm paying for COBRA insurance for a previous employers health plan that will pay for any fertility treatments 100% but I am limited to 3 IVF's. Since its paid by insurance, he's probably more than happy to jump to the most aggressive plan.

I just want whatever will work at this point!!

Sarah, I would ask what the protocol for IVF is for your clinic. I received a booklet of the process and what tests are required beforehand so I could plan the timing right as well as a list of medication options, do & don'ts, etc.

Good luck Crystal!!!

 

[EmmaRose]

May need to start looking into this myself... over 35 and it's almost been a year TTC #2. Was hoping it wouldn't take this much time (I was spoiled the last time - in that it didn't take this long) I'm going to give it another 2 months then I'm going to get a referral.

 

[sarahincanada]

I asked about the AMH test today and she said they order it if theres a concern with bloods, my FSH was 5 and 3.5 one time, but Id like to know my AMH so may ask for it.

hockey24 thats so exciting, I just know this thread is going to be full of BFPS beftween now and december

I notice you are on BC pills for a month, why is that? I was hoping in November on CD1 if I wanted to I could switch from IUI to IVF, LL you mentioned they could probably do that if I have a couple of tests ahead of time. But I hear of people on BC pills for a month before and wondered why. If my 1st injectable cycle doesnt work Im asking next month. Im desperately trying to find the $ to do IVF in November but not sure if I will be successful.

Sarah- the BCP are for down regulating..which means the BCP gives your ovaries a rest before stimming. The full IVF cycle is longer as well..I think with down reg a cycle is 6-8 weeks and a Flare Cycle or short protocol is about the same time as a normal cycle so about 28-30 days.

ok I will definitely ask them if this cycle doesnt work and if Ive managed to scrape together the money and thinking of proceeding in Nov. I wonder how they decide someone needs to down regulate or not. If I can have all the tests on october and be ready for nov if I choose, that would be great.

 

[dachsundmom]

Sarah, from what I have found, it just depends on the clinic.

It's just all so confusing, lol.

 

[crystal443]

Sarah and DMom- We were told about both cycles, however we were told that a Flare(short protocol) seems to work best for women 35+ I'm not sure why..Dr. Google will probably know, however we were also told if the Clinic was having a really busy month we may have to do a long cycle which really means I would go on BCP and when they're ready for me I would stop the pill and start stimming. So basically they can control your cycle. I do think it depends on the Clinic and what they're beliefs are though because there are lots of 35+ women down reg. before stimming.

 

[readyformore]

Sheesh. I would think if you're spending so much money, you'd get to do the protocol that has better success. Even if you have to wait a month or so.

 

[crystal443]

Yeah you'd think hey? It would be our choice to down reg or wait until the next cycle and we were told its uncommon for it to be too busy but apparently there are the odd times that there are alot of women cycling at the same time. I had already decided I would wait until the next cycle if that happened because I figured once they got me on the pill they could bugger me around if they wanted.

 

[LiSa2010]

Hi ladies! I had a quick question.

can we still ovulate on our own while taking fertility meds? Im not 100% sure but I swear I feel like Im ovulating right now and Im scheduled to take the trigger tomorrow at 4pm....

any help is greatly appreciated

YES you can definitely surge and ovulate on your own with fertility meds....I did that last month as they were waiting for another follicle to catch up. Are you having ovulation pains then? could be from the stimulation, are they doing bloods on you soon as they can detect the LH surge from that.

hi Sarah, thanks!
I had an u/s on Monday but no b/w as all labs were closed due to the holiday.. I had cramps yesterday afternoon and also started to get low back pain but don't recall having pain in my ovaries although I did get a twinge feeling in my left ovary. I felt pain in my left ovary late last night after . doc said last night and do the trigger today.... and IUI tomorrow at 3:30pm...
since you O on your own did you still do the trigger shot?

 

[readyformore]

Just had my scan.
2 follicles. 1 measured 20 and another was 14.5.

Nurse told me to trigger tonight and then have IUI friday morning. She said they have the best success with IUI 36 hours post trigger.

Ok, but I was worried I'd completely miss the egg! I have had ov pain the past 2 days, temp was really down today (although I know this is somewhat unreliable with femara), and my follicle was a fabulous size at 20. I was afraid I'd ov tomorrow and have zero chance if I waited 2 days for IUI.

So I compromised. Trigger this am (I must admit, I give a fab shot, lol!), then IUI tomorrow morning 24 hours post trigger. I figure hopefully the sperm will live a few hours (nurse said they'll live 36 hours. I'm assuming this is post wash stats). I'm sure I have a better chance with that then having IUI a day after ov!

DH said he's okay with whatever as long as I start talking to him. I told him no problem, I'll talk to him as long as he gets his junk into the cup!

I swear to all that is holy, if he can't make it work and leave me a great sample, he's going to be sleeping in that new camper of ours.

 

[sarahincanada]

Hi ladies! I had a quick question.

can we still ovulate on our own while taking fertility meds? Im not 100% sure but I swear I feel like Im ovulating right now and Im scheduled to take the trigger tomorrow at 4pm....

any help is greatly appreciated

YES you can definitely surge and ovulate on your own with fertility meds....I did that last month as they were waiting for another follicle to catch up. Are you having ovulation pains then? could be from the stimulation, are they doing bloods on you soon as they can detect the LH surge from that.

hi Sarah, thanks!
I had an u/s on Monday but no b/w as all labs were closed due to the holiday.. I had cramps yesterday afternoon and also started to get low back pain but don't recall having pain in my ovaries although I did get a twinge feeling in my left ovary. I felt pain in my left ovary late last night after . doc said last night and do the trigger today.... and IUI tomorrow at 3:30pm...
since you O on your own did you still do the trigger shot?

no, once they detect your natural LH surge they dont have you do the trigger anymore. good luck

 

[sarahincanada]

Sarah and DMom- We were told about both cycles, however we were told that a Flare(short protocol) seems to work best for women 35+ I'm not sure why..Dr. Google will probably know, however we were also told if the Clinic was having a really busy month we may have to do a long cycle which really means I would go on BCP and when they're ready for me I would stop the pill and start stimming. So basically they can control your cycle. I do think it depends on the Clinic and what they're beliefs are though because there are lots of 35+ women down reg. before stimming.

yay just found out my FS apt has been moved from October to Sept 28...so I can ask all the questions regarding what if on CD1 in November I wanted to switch to IVF. Im hoping they will say yes and order whatever tests for me to do in October. Depending on when my IUI is I might know on the 28th if this cycle has been successful or not.