I am 45 - my FSH is now high - what can I do?

[heavenly]

Hey everyone. I am a member on here, not been around for a little while. I need advice.

I am 45, been TTC for 4 years (OH is 35). He had a test 2 years ago and everything was fine, I had a blood test 2 years ago and my FSH was 7.4, a very good level and everything else was fine. Doc said I was in extremely good nic for my age. I use the ClearBlue Fertility Monitor and I do ovulate most months.

2 years on, my GP just wants me to accept it's never going to happen because of my age. She doesn't even want me to waste my money on going private as she feels there would be no point. I feel like society just chucks you on the scrap heap when you get to a certain age. I have no children.

I then had another blood test a couple of weeks ago, which says FSH 17.0 now! That has really depressed me. My oestradiol level is normal.

I know my only option is going private but we can't afford IVF treatment, we may be able to stretch to a couple of tests and a couple of consultations, which would be better than nothing. I need to feel I have done all I can. What do you suggest? I feel I am at my wits end.

 

[Sophe]

didn't want to read and run but don't know much about high FSH, I think it means the egg reserve is running low, strange that its changed so much in just two years, very scary!! Would maybe a drug like Clomid help?

 

[urchin]

High Heavenly - I remember you from when you were around before x

I'm also over 40 with high FSH (22-23 I keep forgetting) next thing to do is have AMH measured (this costs about £100 - I had mine done at the Priory clinic)

FSH is the hormone that stimulated the ovaries to ready the eggs - high levels suggest that there are fewer eggs as your body is working harder to ripen them

AMH is the hormone that is produced by immature eggs - so the more you have of it, the more there are left. Mine is around 2-3 which is crap.

AMH is considered to be a better indicator of egg reserves than FSH so is worth having done

have you had a CD21 progesterone test recently to check if you are still ovulating?
This is something you GP should do, if you harass her

if you aren't, it may be worth trying clomid

for me FSH and AMH are both crap, so I'm waiting for donor eggs - but you're right, this is very expensive and not in everyones reach

wishing you luck xxx

 

[heavenly]

Thanks for the replies.

I have been suffering from anxiety the past year, am on medication for it, so seeing this high FSH yesterday sent it back up! I was hoping that this could be the cause of the high FSH as I do know stress is a factor. I suppose I just want info really. Does this mean that I could have my menopause as early as this weekend or is it still far off? See? I am just over-worrying about it. I need to speak to someone.

I am going to make an appointment at a local private hospital and see a fertility specialist - I have heard of this AMH test and I want to get that done. We can't afford to have much done (couple of tests, couple of consultation sessions), but it would be better than nothing.