Bloodwork results -- similar #s anyone?

[Anonymous]

Today, I got my 3-day bloodwork results. I had an elevated FSH (10.4) and elevated TSH (3.2). I'm 30 years old, no pregnancies to date -- we've been actively trying for over 1 year.

Husband is fine -- no S/A issues.I've read various websites, but would like to hear about your experiences -- anyone with similar #s??

What were your treatment options? IUI/clomid, IVF?

[Anonymous]

At age 29, my FSH came back at 9. I freaked out (and the internet will freak you out even more). But, as my RE told me, your age is on your side. I did an IUI with clomid, and got pregnant on the first try. Now, 2 years later, my FSH is 8.5. So it does fluctuate. Your FSH level isn't really that high, and I would bet any RE would give you great odds. Try not to focus too much on the number itself. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

FSH does fluctuate. At 37 mine was 8.5 and Shady Grove said it was borderline, though under 10 is considered normal. We had been TTC for over a year. Husband was allegedly normal. Got lucky with first IUI and had baby #1. Four years later, wanted second child, went to Columbia Fertility. After two failed IUIs doc says try IVF--turns out problem is DH's not mine, though they still saddled me with "advanced maternal age" despite FSH of 7.5. Anyway, they did some more specialized tests on DH and fixed the prob through ICSI. Now have baby#2.

In short, IUI doesn't give you much information when it fails, whereas with IVF you might learn what the problem is. Your FSH is a bit high right now, pregnancies happen with higher FSH.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for your responses. I wasn't really prepared to hear "abnormal" results today (inspite of all the research and msg boards!) It's comforting to know of your success stories- thanks!

[Anonymous]

My Day 3 FSH has always been around where yours is (either just above or just below 10 - this has been in Day 3 bloodwork from age 28-32). They consider it to be "borderline high", but as others said, your age is on your side. MY RE told me they have better luck with women in their late 20s/early 30s with borderline high FSH than they do with older women with borderline high FSH. What does your antral follicle count look like (number of follicles seen on ultrasound on Day 3?)? If that is good, that is also a good sign.

Our problem was primarily male factor, but we did have success once naturally and once after a second round of IVF/ICSI. I have to say that during the IVF cycles, even though I produced a decent number of eggs, the embryologist mentioned that some were not of good quality, so I assume that I do have a bit of an ovarian reserve issue.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You may also want to try to get your AMH measured - it is more reliable than FSH, which fluctuates and is effected by estrogen levels. But PPs are right - that at your age, your chance of success is a lot higher than a woman in her late 30s or 40s.

[Anonymous]

Resolve did a teleseminar in the winter of 2009 on high FSH. The doctor who did the teleseminar said (if I am remembering correctly) that it's an imperfect measure of ovarian reserve and that there can be false positives (when the results are high but your egg quality is actually fine) among younger women. So you may be OK. You'll know more once you start undergoing treatments. My FSH is similar to yours and when I started treatments I was 32 -- all the doctors said that was a huge help. You maybe able to find a transcript/recording of the Resolve teleseminar on their website.

[Anonymous]

I'm 39 and had an FSH of 15 and I'm about to deliver anyday now, thanks to natural cycle IVF. The PP's are right, there are lots of people with higher than normal FSH and still have success.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to be debbie downer, but I was 32 with and FSH of 10.3 and it took me 4 IUIs then 4 IVF until I became pregnant with my first. I think it can be very individual on how you respond. The number is just an indicator.

[Anonymous]

Acupuncture can help lower your FSH if the number is really bothering you. It did for me and I am the same age as you. I agree with all of the PPs...your age, antral follicle count and AMH levels are also very important. Like the last poster said, it really is a case by case basis. I have done 2 round of NCIVF and 3 IUIs with donor sperm and am now in the middle of my first IVF cycle. I thought I would have success with the IUIs but for some reason I didn't. My FSH was a 9 but my RE said that my age and antral follicle count were what was most important. Most RE's like to see an antral follicle count of over 10. I think you will be ok, don't sweat the numbers so much.

[Anonymous]

I actually think your tsh number is a bigger concern than your fsh (and the thyroid issues may be causing the high fsh). I would definitely do some more research on that and try to get your thyroid under control first. Most REs don't know much about this and will just suggest IVF. But if you get your thyroid under control, you may not need fsh at all. The current thinking is that tsh should be around 1 for ttc. I would suggest you find a good endicronologist (not RE) who is knowledgeable about conception.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks! I will ask about AFC and AMH... I'm with Shady Grove and received the results from a nurse. My HSG is scheduled for Thursday and then follow-up with the Dr. the following week.

Thanks for the feedback - feeling better today than yesterday.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am really curious about your TSH number in light of what a PP posted.

I am at SG also, my FSH is 6.2 and my TSH was 2.9 when I had my bloodwork done a few months ago. I thought the TSH was too high (just based on my own internet research). But my RE insisted it was normal if it's under 5. Everything I read online says "under 5" is the old standard and really it should be under 2.

I requested a full thyroid panel just to make sure. I had that b/w done at LabCorp and my TSH came back at 3.27. Again, RE insists this is normal and the variation could just be b/c of the lab.

This question has been nagging me, but I figured - reproductive "endocrinologist" means they ought to know about endocrine issues, including thyroid, especially if those issues impact fertility, right? And if they feel SO certain it's ok, I guess it is?

Now I wonder if I should find an endocrinologist and get a 2nd opinion . . . .

[Anonymous]

OP and PP, I really think you should see a well-respected endicronologist. It's a really easy fix, and much cheaper and less invasive than IVF (which still might not work in thyroid is the main fertility issue). Your RE is really stuck in the past if he thinks up to 5 is fine for ttc.

[Anonymous]

Ok, can anyone recommend a good endocrinologist for thyroid issues??