can someone help me interpret this information..re: FSH levels

MrsJaimebeth

today was day 3 and they cleared me to start my ivf meds tonight...but they did say my FSH levels were on the high end of normal..but that they are still letting me start...i was at a birthday day party and really couldnt ask many questions...but i got the impression it wasn't the best situation...ugh...they also said i had 4 follicles on my left ovary and 4 in my right....what does this mean? what does all this information mean?  are my eggs not going to be "good enough"?  she just said, "it's good you are starting now"...

AmandaMacD

Your nurse could have definitey presented the info in a friendlier fashion, but I am pretty sure this info is all normal.  You have 4 potential eggs so far in each ovary, which is awesome! Your FSH is on the high-end of normal, so you are within normal range.  A high FSH level means diminished ovarian reserve, but if this were a real problem, you would have known about it already b/c of all the testing you have been through.  It could have just been an off day for you and your nurse just gave you the info in a bad manner.  If you weren't good to start, RMA would never let you...they want you to be pregnant almost as much as you want to be...it makes their stats look good.  Hang in there and I really hope you create lots of beautiful, heathy eggs.  I hope to join you in a few days!

Janimal

Ok, the follicle count on day 3 is called an "antral follicle count" - it's an indicator of your ovarian reserve to try an gauge what your possible response to IVF stims will be.  That count, along with your FSH level, is an indication of the status of your ovaries.  There is no reliable test to see how many eggs a woman has or the quality of those eggs, but these 2 factors can give some idea about where you are.

The antral follicle count is an estimation, and just a count of follicles in your ovaries that can be seen on ultrasound.  Antral follicles aren't maturing eggs right now, they are "resting".  As you age, and have less eggs, you also have less antral follicles. 

8 total antral follicles definitely means it's "go" time for you.  That is an indicator of a low-ish possible egg reserve.  A normal or "good" count would be anywhere from 16-30. 

As for FSH - basically, without a number, "high end of normal" doesn't mean much.  The deal is, as you age, and have less eggs, your body has to work harder to ovulate, and thusly produces more FSH.  The higher your FSH number, the harder your body is working, so it indicates the less eggs you have.  An FSH number over 10 is considered elevated.  LOTS of women manage to get pregnant with elevated FSH, but really high FSH may mean a woman won't respond well to meds.  For example - I have a pal who was measured at 18 FSH.  She had an awful response to stims.  Her best ever response was 3 eggs.  BUT - that same friend managed to get pregnant naturally!  So the high number means probably less eggs will mature, but it doesn't count someone out.

 I hope that helps...

MrsJaimebeth

thanks so much i really apreciate your response..my FSH was 16.2...although last month they said it was 7..im guessing it fluctuates each month?

 

again, thank you!

Janimal

Yes, it fluctuates each month.  Also, one of your ovaries could be in better shape than the other.  So on a month where your good ovary is maturing an egg, you have lower FSH, when it's the other one's turn, it's higher.  There are lots of factors to fluctuating FSH.

Basically, what your tests indicate is that you likely have a lowered ovarian reserve.  So moving forward with IVF is the right thing to do -- you're just not getting any more fertile.  It's go time!  You're probably not going to be a woman who produces 35 eggs at retrieval!!!!  But that is ok -- all you need is one good one.  I would say to not focus so much on the numbers at this point, but focus on taking care of yourself as much as possible as you go into this.  Drink a ton of water, eat a protein rich diet as you cycle, and consider stress relieving activities like massage or acupuncture. 

GOOD LUCK!

mabst196

You don't know what the actual number is. I would try to find out. If they say it's normal, I wouldn't worry too much about that aspect.