High FSH Levels

[Cruis2211]

I just found out that I have an abnormally high FSH level. It's 12.5 and I'm 37. My doctor is not too hopeful about my conceiving and has refered me to a specialist. The specialist's nurse told me as I was making the appointment that my levels were so high, I would have a really hard tiem getting pregant and not to get my hopes up. Has anyone had levels like these or a similar problem. I'm so unhappy right now and can't stop thinking about it:

[wishfulbabydreamer]

I want to thank you all for your inspirational stories.  I'm 38 years old.  My FSH was 10.4 cd2 in March, 16.5 cd2 in September then went down to 11.4 cd8 that same month, and now the latest 17.5 cd2 in November.  My fertility doctor started off by giving me false hope of how he was going to help me at 10.4 then flat out told me at my next visit when I tested 16.5 that I have POF and referred me to another Fertility Clinic for IVF.  He requested one last FSH, which I waited a couple of months to take, that came back 17.5 and he left a message for the nurse to call me and tell me that IVF will not work on me and that I will need a donor egg.  I'm waiting for the results of my AMH test and wondering if I even want to know.  I had a chemical pregnancy in October, which was devastating emotionally, then the roller coaster of irregular cycles and symptoms the last few months.  I have two very close family members that are pregnant right now and my best friend just had an abortion, so it's nice to be able to read your posts and feel like someone understands.  I read something recently about making a lifestyle change and going on a fertility diet.  The doctor said if you were pregnant wouldn't you do everything possible to ensure your baby's health and well-being?  Well, you are preparing a home for your baby so why wouldn't you do whatever possible to prepare your body for pregnancy.  That really touched me because there's nothing I want more than a baby.  So...  I have been taking DHEA, prenatals, and other supplementation, and currently have gone on a fertility diet, eliminating caffeine, alcohol, sugar, wheat, dairy, non-organic meat, processed foods, and cold foods.  I drink grapefruit juice before O and green tea daily, and drink fresh wheatgrass whenever possible.  I also started acupuncture this week and will start on the herbs after Christmas when I can afford it.  I have also started exercising and I just bought some progesterone cream as I have had positive OPK's for the last 36 hours.  I am going to buy the Inconceivable book this weekend.  Thank you for all of your support.  I'm not giving up no matter what the doctors say.  My prayers are with all of you for a BFP!

[1974sarah]

I cannot thank you all enough for your posts. Thanks to all your comments I now see that I don't have to resign myself to what my doctor told me. I can take control of the situation and at least try to make things better.

I'm 37 and my husband and I have been trying for 1.5 years with no joy.
He's 35 and was diagnosed with poor sperm morphology earlier this year.
I got my FSH levels on Monday: 15! I really didn't see this coming! See I work out regularly, have regular periods, eat healthy and I don't smoke or drink coffee. I have a healthy lifestyle and I look a lot younger than people my age. And yet my ovaries were telling a different story!!!!

According to our doctor we might not be favorable candidates for IVF due to the high FSH and my age, and that we should seriously consider egg donors.

So now while we are waiting for our hospital appointment with the IVF specialists, I have ordered the books recommended from amazon as well as looking for acupuncturists in my region.

Thank you so much for sharing your stories and making me realize that even though the doctors have given up hope, it doesn't mean that I have to!

[baby4mejustrelax]

I have nothing but rave reviews about chinese  medicine and acupuncture. I refused to believe donor eggs was my only option. My AMH is .16, my FSH is 15.9.  I'm happy to say I'm pregnant naturally. I'm still in disbelief and we aren't telling family until I'm out of my first trimester. I really believe that when I improved my body, and mind though acupuncture, it helped tremendously. I've read that most the fertility treatments RE's do, don't improve egg quality, they just make you produce more. I took my fate into my own hands by not accepting a diagnoses of DOR. I figured what's the point in producing a lot of bad eggs when I can improve my health and create a great quality egg every 90 days. (That's how long it takes for us to make good eggs)

[Beladona]

At age 43 and getting married last year after being a widow a few years, I want my fist baby with my new husband. Nothing has happened so I went to a fertility clinic and was told my FSH is 20. I see people on here with FSH all over the place. I was told after having one round of IUI my best option is a donor egg. At this late stage I am panicking and thinking to go ahead and do that, but am scared I will always feel the baby is not really mine...but it would be my husbands, whom I love with all my heart. I really do want my own child but am afraid doing the Chinese meds and acupuncture may take time and my clock may stop any time. Also what do the terms DE and ART stand for that I have seen a couple of times on here.

[JourneyJoJo]

I'm 14 weeks pregnant at age 43 with an FSH of 13.5.  So far so good!

[baby4mejustrelax]

I'm 38 years old with a FSH of 15 and an AMH of .16. I was in tears after speaking to my RE. I was told donor egg was my only option with DOR.  I took matters into my own hands especially after seeing how much IVF via donor egg costs. I searched the internet on ways to improve AMH. I'm not bothered by FSH because it changes. AMH is the newest test that's supposed to be more accurate. Anyway, I read about several vitamin supplements and changes to my eating habits, and wheatgrass juice can improve fertility. I'm taking Royal Jelly, DHEA, COQ10, no dairy, no wheat, no sugar, drinking 2 oz of wheatgrass juice daily, and I started seeing an acupuncturist recommended from The Fertile Soul website. This is a retreat, and book written by Dr. Randine Lewis, also author of The Infertilty Cure. This woman had a FSH of 42 at the age of 42 and conceived naturally using traditional chinese medicine, herbs, and acupuncture. There are a lot of RE's out here who want that $ for IVF so they aren't open to other means to improve your body. They just want to get you a baby, so they can get paid. The Fertilie Soul goes into details and explains how there is no such thing as an infertile woman. Seeing this acupuncturist has lifted my spirits, relaxed me, and given me hope. She has a client who is 44 years old 11 weeks pregnant with a FSH of 100 whom she was able to help. I'm staying positive about my own journey!