FSH levels and slightly angry at Dr!

[butterfly1]

so in a nutshell I am 43 being ttc 3 years but only recently went to doctors. she arranged for bloods day 3 and 21

progesterone level came back 51.8 (normal)
LH 4.1 (normal)
FSH 13.9 taken on day 3

I was called back in and Dr said I was pre menopausal and I cried my eyes out in front of her. But she said normally both FSH and LH are high so she sent me back for bloods. I have been so down since all I can hear is the word menopausal

anyway had bloods done she said it didn't matter what CD as she was sure I was ovulating (I know I am anyway, I temp and opk)

so had bloods again on CD26 (13 dpo)

today had to go for a follow up to discuss results
LH 5.6
FSH 10.7

This time same dr said oh no you are no where near menopausal, you are def ovulating.

I feel angry at her as maybe I mis understood her the first time but she could see how upset I got, she should have re-assured me!

I have got an ultrasound next week and waiting for an appointment at fertility clinic.

BUT I am still worried about the FSH levels..

the results give the levels below

Follicular 1.3 - 6.3
Mid Cycle 2.3 - 20.9
Luteal 0.8 - 27.0
Post Meno >35

Any one help me understand the results?

 

[Clementine]

Hi Butterfly for FSH & LH they should test on Day3 of your cycle they should also test your Oestradiol.

Privately you could your a blood test for AMH which is the best indication of egg numbers (though it doesn't show egg quality)

To confirm ovulation she should test your Progesterone levels at 7dpo (day 21 if your cycle is 28days)

I would also get your Thyroid hormones tested as these can have an impact on your fertility TSH, Free T3, Free T4 & Thyroid Antibodies.

From reading online taking Conenzyme q10, vitamin D, folic acid, selenium and magnesium.

Lots of baby dust to you.

 

[lisey]

I echo all what clementine has said. FSH, LH and oestradiol need to be done early in the cycle. Preferably before day 5 (usually day 3). Done at any other time in the cycle and they are irrelevant. This was done with me, taken on a random day and all showed very good results, fast forward a year when I was more knowledgeable, asked for them to be done on day 3 and results not so good.
13 is on the high side but I wouldn't say menopausal, like the reference ranges show, 35 plus indicates menopause, a number leading up to that could suggest peri-menopause but if your periods are still frequent and regular then that is unlikely. I would say that it would be worth having some extra tests done sooner rather than later though.
What it could indicate is a lower egg reserve, the higher the FSH, the harder the ovaries and pituitary gland are having to work to make ovulation happen.
My FSH was 17 at the age of 30! I did manage to get pregnant 3 times (but miscarried) naturally in the 5 years we tried so it is still possible even with a lower reserve but I did have to have IVF in the end to have my daughter though-I have other issues too which could hinder things, it was just a matter of not having the time to waste.
The NHS doctors can't do AMH bloods as far as I am aware so would be a case of going private, I did this for a follow up test and was around £100.
Best of luck, I hope this hasn't made you feel worse, just want to be honest about what the results could mean and with this, the more you know, the better and the sooner you know , the better too x

 

[Sugarpop]

I echo all what clementine has said. FSH, LH and oestradiol need to be done early in the cycle. Preferably before day 5 (usually day 3). Done at any other time in the cycle and they are irrelevant. This was done with me, taken on a random day and all showed very good results, fast forward a year when I was more knowledgeable, asked for them to be done on day 3 and results not so good.
13 is on the high side but I wouldn't say menopausal, like the reference ranges show, 35 plus indicates menopause, a number leading up to that could suggest peri-menopause but if your periods are still frequent and regular then that is unlikely. I would say that it would be worth having some extra tests done sooner rather than later though.
What it could indicate is a lower egg reserve, the higher the FSH, the harder the ovaries and pituitary gland are having to work to make ovulation happen.
My FSH was 17 at the age of 30! I did manage to get pregnant 3 times (but miscarried) naturally in the 5 years we tried so it is still possible even with a lower reserve but I did have to have IVF in the end to have my daughter though-I have other issues too which could hinder things, it was just a matter of not having the time to waste.
The NHS doctors can't do AMH bloods as far as I am aware so would be a case of going private, I did this for a follow up test and was around £100.
Best of luck, I hope this hasn't made you feel worse, just want to be honest about what the results could mean and with this, the more you know, the better and the sooner you know , the better too x

I got my AMH done on the NHS. I go to a fertility clinic but it’s through the NHS.

 

[lisey]

I echo all what clementine has said. FSH, LH and oestradiol need to be done early in the cycle. Preferably before day 5 (usually day 3). Done at any other time in the cycle and they are irrelevant. This was done with me, taken on a random day and all showed very good results, fast forward a year when I was more knowledgeable, asked for them to be done on day 3 and results not so good.
13 is on the high side but I wouldn't say menopausal, like the reference ranges show, 35 plus indicates menopause, a number leading up to that could suggest peri-menopause but if your periods are still frequent and regular then that is unlikely. I would say that it would be worth having some extra tests done sooner rather than later though.
What it could indicate is a lower egg reserve, the higher the FSH, the harder the ovaries and pituitary gland are having to work to make ovulation happen.
My FSH was 17 at the age of 30! I did manage to get pregnant 3 times (but miscarried) naturally in the 5 years we tried so it is still possible even with a lower reserve but I did have to have IVF in the end to have my daughter though-I have other issues too which could hinder things, it was just a matter of not having the time to waste.
The NHS doctors can't do AMH bloods as far as I am aware so would be a case of going private, I did this for a follow up test and was around £100.
Best of luck, I hope this hasn't made you feel worse, just want to be honest about what the results could mean and with this, the more you know, the better and the sooner you know , the better too x

I got my AMH done on the NHS. I go to a fertility clinic but it’s through the NHS.

Sorry, I meant I don't think GPs do them, I know fertility clinics do. My GP couldn't at the time but may have changed since x

 

[butterfly1]

They were originally done on day 3.... see top of message
Does anyone know what it means if LH is normal but FSH is high?

 

[lisey]

I was just referring to the doctor saying it didn't matter what day you had the repeat bloods on. I am not very trusting of their knowledge on fertility after my experiences. My doctor told me 17 was normal! I knew it wasn't though.
To be honest, they never seemed to pay much attention to the LH on my tests, or at least they never seemed to mention it x

 

[butterfly1]

Maybe the fertility clinic will have a better clue when my appointment come through. I have just been for a meal with friends they were talking about age, (not in a fertility way. But doesnt matter how old you are its how you feel blah blah) i started crying. Age is everything when ttc. Esp when wrong side of 40. Feel like im losing the plot. So emotional!

 

[lisey]

The fertility clinic will be far better, it's their expertise.
Ttc is an emotional rollercoaster, esp when there's difficulties. Hope you're ok today xx

 

[MoominGirl]

In the nicest possible way, I would be guided by what the fertility doctors tell you. I agree with lisey that GPs don't really know that much. They're not specialists at the end of the day. Try to take things one step at a time. I know it's hard