Hi Guys,

Im currently off work as I was told some very bad news by the gynae on Monday eve. My doctor told me that after having 3 blood tests the first 2 were quite normal bit low on progesterone but he said we can treat that.
3rd test FHS said 47 Doc said I was heading for menopause I have just turned 42. I was shocked then but he said dont worry see the Gynae she will help?????
Anyway after thinking oh whatever it is Im sure they can help the Gynae was very blunt indeed she didnt have any test results from the previous blood tests just one test and she said I have 0 % chance of having a baby.
My periods are always erractic thats what I do .......25 days to 41 days if I diet (doing WW at mo) and start excersise I generally have a massive wait for my period. Just lost 12lbs in 8 weeks!

but............reading on the internet I find Im really confused as people are saying these blood tests are conclusive and often are erratic?

Can someone help? Sorry I am really down at mo please email me it would be so heplful

Donna (London UK)

Hormone tests often fluctuate,especially if you are going through perimenopause,do you have any of the symptoms?I pray that you find answers and peace.

Until you are fully menopausal, the gynecologist can't say that your chance of having a baby is 0% !! And even using the standard definition of menopausal, 12 months without a period ... there are women here who have resumed periods, if only temporarily, after 12 months of not having one.

Granted, FSH of 47 is very high. What was the estradiol at that time ?

If you are perimenopausal, you might have a difficult time getting pregnant, but I would not say 0. You might still have some eggs left.

At 42, I'm surprised your gyno wasn't a little more helpful. I'd suggest going back to your gp quickly for a second referral, to someone who specializes in this. And while you're at the gp's, ask about the role Vitamin C plays in this. PS if you smoke, quit today.

I am afraid your dr. is right, FSH 47 (if taken day 3 the cycle) indicates your estradiol is very low, and you are very well into early menopause. if you periods are further apart, it indicates your are losing or lost estrogen. YOU YOUR BODY NEEDS CHOLESTEROL AND SATURATED FAT TO MAKE sex hormones, so dieting WW style and hoping get pregnant, it quite opposite. Very low fat and calories diets are KNOWN FACTORS OF FEMALE INFERTILITY.
Stop the WW diet, it is not good for your at this point, and eat more FAT, preferable from FULL FAT DAIRY, WHOLE EGGS, CHEESE, BUTTER. You may get your period back on schedule and even bump your estrogen, and may be even get pregnant. I believe they can give you both: estradiol and progesterone treatment, boost your hormones, and hopefully you can get pregnant.
Here are the ranges for FSH

HTH
Good luck,
I.

Ok people thanks for all your help.

I didnt have any estradiol readings done?

My blood test was a 21 day after first day of period test well all 3 were but as my periods (always have been) erratic as Ive said 25 can be for a few months then if I excersise or change my diet it goes to 41

now........

If..........these blood tests are taken at 21 days how can they be right when i have very different period cycles? This is very confusing.

I dont have any symptons of menopause whatsoever

Also I dont miss periods I never have just they are always irregular

I may go and get another opinion but the Gyno is sending me for a blood test during my period on the 2-3rd day she is testing for FSH and LH only is this correct?

The other confusing issue is my womb etc is fine had a scan all is fine if.........im not producing eggs naturally do i have to have IVF? Its £3500 per cycle here but Ill get a loan if someone honestly tells me there is hope.

Thanks for all your kind words by the way this is helping me P.S mail me an egg lol!

I read that FSH, if continually high, will act to rapidly mature your remaining follicles, i.e., run you out of eggs.

Estradiol suppresses FSH, it might be helpful for you to see what your estradiol level is, especially if your FSH is high. You should probably have your progesterone measured too.

Women who use the "rhythm method" of birth control get good at measuring their temperatures to determine when ovulation occurs. If you are still ovulating you should have that little spike of temperature then. I don't remember the details, look them up on the 'net. There's a particular time of day you should measure your temp, every day, and see if you can detect ovulation.

The advice the others are giving you is excellent, but it is also factual that an FSH level of 42 is not normal at any phase of the month for a woman not in Peri or Meno.

I don't want to scare you, but I was one who once thought of having a late in life baby, but I then questioned the safety of this.......and with an FSH level that high, I can't say as I am no doctor, but would your eggs be really healthy? Even if you get pregnant with a healthy egg....[hope you do if this is your dream] have you considered coping with Peri and a new baby.......it really is quite a Hell....and with FSH of 42....that would make me think really deeply. Being honest...I don't think I could cope...not me..!

Normal Menstruating FSH
Follicular Phase
2.5 to 10.2

Midcycle Peak
3.4 to 33.4

Luteal Phase
1.5 to 9.1

Postmenopausal 23.0 to >116.3




I suggest a retest....it can't hurt. I wish you all the best.

~Viktoria

Hello all you lovely people,

I had a letter today and it seems that the last blood test was 11.9 FSH

So someone help as I am now thinking that the NHS have mixed up my results the last time when it read 47.9!

Im shocked and very happy and very mad all at the same time.

I had a week off with stress and they told me I was going through early menopause and had wait for it......................0 % chance of ever having my own child

Help please D xxx

Dona,
My FSH measured on day 3 was never high than 8 (last time), and I feel like crap on most fot he days. You may be one lucky lady that won't have any symptoms, but it does not mean you are premenopausal (i.e. normally menstuating, able to get pregnant and carry pregnancy). I am a late child ( my mom was 38), and let me tell you something -my childhood was not fun at all. My mom was going through menopause so she cranly, insomniac, snappy, tired, etc. You got the picture. Sleep deprivation is a b***h at any age, and I raised 2 kids when i was young, but still felt like zombi without adequate sleep.
Given if you get fetrility treatment, you still need enough estradio and progesterone to make sure the pregnancy occures, and this means they need to pump you with hormones (if your body does not make much already), so there is high risk of blood clots, etc. at this age.
Your irregular and erratic periods is sure indication of swingin hormones, and fluctuating FSH is a 1st sign of it, so all tests are meaningless, one day - high , another - low.
You can try in-vitro but even if it works, I agree with Flushing lady, it will take a lot of physical and mental work to carry pregnancy and get a healthy baby, and then cope with all the symptoms of perimenopause while dealing with little one.
having said that, why don;t you try to concieve naturally, because if your hormones are fine, then no need to shell out $7000 a pop. If you won't get naturally pregnant, think hard before you go for IVF. My coworker, 43 yo, tried 3 times, and it did nto work for her, and it was a lot of $$$$$ not covered by insurance. Unfortunately, certain things are better done when we still young. Looking at my childhood experience, I decided to have my kids early in life, I did not want them to have old mom.
This is JME, but I imagine many ladies have similar opinion. Drs can perform miracles nowdays, but it will be you raising the baby, so it is your call.

Hi Donna,

I tend to agree with Iradan. My mom and dad were "older" parents and as a teenager I kind of resented the fact that they looked and acted so much older than my friends' parents. Of course, as I got older, I realized how wonderful, caring and loving they were and the age thing didn't bother me that much. The only thing I regret is that because of their age, I lost both of them when I was still a young mom. Most of my friends still have their parents and I do get jealous from time to time.

That aside, it is your decision. If you desperately want a baby than it's entirely up to you and your husband and hopefully, things will work out. I hope you have thought it through thouroughly and measured all of the pros and cons. It certainly won't be as easy for you as it is for the 20 and 30 somethings. Let's face it----our energy does tend to wane. Whatever happens, I wish you the best.

Take care,

Another Donna

I hear you Donna, I lost my father when I was 16 only, he had heart desease and died at 65. My mom died less than 2 years ago, but anyways, my experience growing as late and only child makes me think - would I grew into someone different than I am if my parents were younger, as my peer's parents. They loved me a lot, may be too much, and tried to protect from everything and anything, mostly were afraid to lose me, I guess, since they both lost their previous families during WWII. Still, it was not what a child needs. Kids need someone full of energy to play with them, and yet, lots of patience to deal and understand that they are just kids... I am only 20 years older my older son, so I udnerstand him pretty good, but unfortunately, the bigger age difference, then less able we to undertand our children.
I always felt my parents age was more appropriate for grandparents,with all illnesses to go along, and I know now why 1st handed. Now I udnertand why my mom acted and felt that way, but back then, I was confused and did not know what to do to make her happier. I wish they both still been around, miss them tremednously. Most of my peer parents are still alive, and I envy them too.

Take care,
I.

hi donna, my neighbor is 40 and was trying to get prgnant. her fsh was in the 50's and she had specialist tell her it was impossible for it to happen, and tried to give her the name of a good theripist. i told her not to listen to them , and to get some progestrone and try accupuncture. she is now 5 months pregnant and expecting a girl !!!!! she made sure to call and tell our accupuncturist as soon as she found out!! we are all thrilled, good luck

Kelly,

Thanks very much what a beautiful story Ive been through the worst now so anything is a bonus and now I am thinking if it happens it happens as Im not a nutter or anything its just when you get some eastern european stern woman gyny bluntly in yer face telling you you cant have kids etc........ its extremely naughty if they havent got their facts correct or indeed mixed a blood test up!

I wish your mate all the love and luck in the world she iis truly blessed

Thanks Donna xxx

[quote name='donnarocks' post='165089' date='Apr 6 2007, 09:46 AM']...its just when you get some eastern european stern woman gyny bluntly in yer face telling you you cant have kids etc........ its extremely naughty if they havent got their facts correct or indeed mixed a blood test up![/quote]
Would you fell better if your gyno won't be eastern european? Does it mean she is not qualified because of her ethnicity?
[/quote]

English humour NO OFFENCE love

Obviously she wasnt doing her job correctly as she failed to access previous blood results when they were available on the system. That is unforgiveable. I am following the whole case up and its under investigation with the local health authority. Im angry at the unnecessary stress caused by missed information but happy that Im catorgorised as normal again.

D