Drastic change in AFC at suppression check?

PurpleIris30 · March 2013

So I've been on Lupron about a week, and I just had my suppression check ultrasound this morning before I start stims next week. The good news is that I don't appear to have any cysts. The bad news (and I haven't talked to my Dr. yet) is that the ultrasound tech told me my AFC number, which was drastically less than my last AFC ultrasound in October (11 fewer follicles, to be exact). Although some variation is normal, this seems like a huge difference. PGD is a huge numbers game, so I'm concerned about the impact to my cycle, because it's not quite as simple as only needing one good egg.

Any experience to share?

BrideJackie11 · March 2013

I don't have advice. Just wanted to wish you luck with many follicles that beomce normal embies!!

RosyGlow · March 2013

What is AFC? What did you doctor say about it? I hope it all works out okay.

RosyGlow · March 2013

Sorry, I wasn't thinking. AFC is obviously Antral Follicle Count. What was it in th eFall? My understanding is that there can always be hidden follicles during this process, so I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it would change your plans at this point to have only 11...which it probably won't.

Can you batch your embryos/biopsies to be sent off for the PGD testing? We may need to do this depending on how things go with my numbers.

Hang in there.

PurpleIris30 · March 2013

RosyGlow:
Can you batch your embryos/biopsies to be sent off for the PGD testing? We may need to do this depending on how things go with my numbers.
Hang in there.

No - we can't afford to do this more than once.

BzeetyD · March 2013

There are been a number of threads about AFC numbers vs retrieval numbers and SO many people said that their AFC was less than the # retrieved. Maybe that doesn't help.

I don't know about a dramatic change in AFC. Were you on lupron before when you had your AFC done? If not, it's not exactly apples to apples.

Being suppressed well can be a good thing, because your body starts recruiting follicles they cycle before. If that happens not all of them develop together in the stim phase. For example, you could have 5 or 6 that jump forward (recruits) while the other 5 or 6 stay smaller - the proper supression will help to keep things more even, so all the follicles can grow.

I KNOW how important it is to get as many eggs as possible for genetic testing. It's also important to get quality eggs.

Did you talk to your RE about it?

AmCheri · March 2013

Hi there. I had a similar thing happen to me. I went from 12 AF to 7 in a matter of a couple of months. Is it possible that they just couldn't see some of the follies?

AmCheri · March 2013

I realize that having 11 fewer follies is significant, but what total did they observe today?

AFC definitely varies and like Bzeety said, the number of eggs retrieved can be greater than the AFC observed at baseline. Hugs. I wish this could be easier. Rooting for you!

RosyGlow · March 2013

PurpleIris30:
RosyGlow:
Can you batch your embryos/biopsies to be sent off for the PGD testing? We may need to do this depending on how things go with my numbers.
Hang in there.
No - we can't afford to do this more than once.

Purple - I understand. I would definitely stick with this and see it through - I agree with PP that I have seen people post about their AFC being down from when they had their SIS, but that they got more eggs than they thought they would in the end. I hope this is the case for you. Did you ask your RE what he/she thought about the lower number?

Thinking of you and sending positive follicle growing thoughts.

PurpleIris30 · March 2013

BzeetyD:

Did you talk to your RE about it?

Hey Bzeety - Unfortunately, he's out until Monday, which gives me way too much time to agonize. It's the extreme drop that has me concerned - not sure if it's due to oversuppression or something else.