supplements for ivf at 40+ yrs old

[Anonymous]

i'm about to go thru ivf for a 4th and probably final retrieval in january.

i had 2 back-to-back retrievals in 2019 (#1 - 24 eggs, 13 mature, 9 fertilized, 4 blasts, 2 normal; #2 19 eggs, 17 mature and fertilized, 2 blasts, 1 normal). Transfer #1 (from 1st retrieval) only re-expanded 60% and was unsuccessful. Transfer #2 involved poor thaw of embryo from retrieval #2 so 2nd embryo from retrieval #1 was thawed and re-expanded to 80% and was successful!

i had a retrieval a few weeks ago (at age 39.5). my body and estradiol levels seemed to respond slower to same protocol compared to before. i had 20 eggs, all mature, 14 fertilized, and only one blast - abnormal. i was devastated. i have pcos and took dhea and melatonin and coq10 at the recommendation of my clinic due to age, and i'm thinking that the dhea was a mistake given the pcos. but not sure how that negatively would have affected things.

recommendations for supplements??? on high quality prenatal vitamin, coq10 (but ordered some to be in the form of ubiquinol).

easing into a more anti inflammatory diet to hopefully help.

ideas?!? help

[Anonymous]

Inositol, metformin, melatonin, vitamin D, DHA. With PCOS you need to eat SUPER low carb, absolutely no sugar or alcohol.

The form of Ubiquitous/COQ10 is a myth. Your body converts it into whatever form it needs. Theralogix has a patent on theirs to deliver ultimate absorption and I’ve heard from several health experts that theirs is the best.

[Anonymous]

That’s tough OP. I’d talk to your dr to see what supplements are worth a shot. I wouldn’t risk taking things that can mess with your cycle based on Internet advice.

[Anonymous]

As PP's have said, I took a prenatal, probiotic, melatonin, fish oil, ubiquinol, and vitamin D. I also tried uping my protein and good fats.

[Anonymous]

NP: I have been feeling like giving up since a miscarriage in August (also am 40yo) This thread is making me feel like recommitting to all the expensive supplements sitting in my closet.

[Anonymous]

Ask your doctor for Metformin and take a baby aspirin.

[Anonymous]

Vitamin D as well and vitamin B but nothing else.

[Anonymous]

I have PCOS as well. Take Ovasitol, Coq10, a PCOS prenatal (pcosnutrition.com), and a probiotic. Make sure your tsh is close to 1, and ask about starting metformin. Also find a good acupuncturist.

[Anonymous]

OP, I agree with the above posters re the supplements, but have you considered changing up the protocol, especially since the one that worked last time didn't work this time around? For example, maybe EPP would work better (assuming you are doing standard antagonist). I would check in with your RE to get his/her thoughts.