IVF with very high FSH?

[Tigga]

Hi.

Sorry girls. I've been so reluctant to post my news here b/c I don't want to anyone to feel discouraged. Yes, as some of you have read elsewhere, it sadly hasn't worked. At my 7w/3day scan (Thu 30/7), one very healthy sac and a fetal pole was clearly visible but no heartbeat. The fetal pole measured 6w/6d in development. I returned Monday and there was definitely no heartbeat and fetal pole had begun to break down. I had a D&C yesterday. (I just find for me this helps me to move on).

The Thursday scan result was a total shock - given that my HCG levels were seemingly tracking along perfectly and even pointed to a high probability of twins. I wasn't expecting this that's for sure.

Thanks for all your messages and kind words of support - they are consoling and I know many of us can really empathise with each other because we've unfortunately shared the same experiences.

I'm taking it a day at a time now and won't be making any decision on where to next, until the fog in my head clears a bit.

[Tigga]

Hi.

I just a had a very quick catch up...

BulieJ - Congratulations! That is just the best news to read. I'll have everything crossed for you that all goes smoothly! Wow! That really is awesome news!!

Dutchie - Sorry to read about your cycle. This journey is so unpredictable. I agree with Sara, if the FSH level is low - jump into the antagonist. My FS this week said told me that FSH levels have more to do with response rates to the fert drugs than it has to do with egg quality - this gave me added hope. So starting on a low base, should theoretically provide a better response. I'll be for your success on this TTC ride and especially for low FSH levels!

BDT - So good to read that all is going well for you. I was so hoping to join the twins club with you! Who knows...maybe next time for me...dare I wish for too much!

Girls, the other forum is my usual posting ground. I continue to post here for the High FSH updates, but will check in everyone now and then on everyone.

Thanks again for caring!

[Cuddlepie]

OMG Tigga, I am so sorry to hear your news...I hope you will find some answers and moving on...Take care of yourself and DH at this difficult time!

[Dutchie80]

Hey,
Just thought I'd post a quick update that last cycle was a bust and we missed out on a TF again but we will be ready to jump back on the rollercoaster in September, estimated start date at this stage is the 6th.
AF arrived in a timely fashion (30 days) which is good as I've just come off the back of a long, stress filled cycle so that was encouraging. I've had a day 3 FSH test this morning and will post results when I receive them. I normally test on day 2 but as that was a Sunday, and the pathology lab was closed, it had to be day 3 instead.

Tigga- I hope that things are getting easier for you, I'm glad you have been able to take some YOU time and do some things that you enjoy and pamper and nuture yourself. Take care, thinking of you.

[Tigga]

Hi Dutchie.

I was just checking in with fingers crossed for good FSH result for you. I'll be .

Hope you are well!

[Dutchie80]

Hey,
Just a quick update, got my fsh results today and it is 12.6 (better than 50) which is ok but could be better. I guess it doesn't matter as I'm not cycling. Hopefully next month..........
Planning to start an antagonist with clomid around the 6th of Sept.
Have a great day.

[Tigga]

Hi Dutchie,
It's not too bad and I'll be for a lower one for when you do cycle. Did you have a 50 reading at some point? or have I misinterpreted your comment.
Have a restful few weeks off IVF'ing.
Who knows, you might even have a cycle buddy for your early Sept start. I'm feeling up to another go - but every day it changes so I'll just wait and see.
Have a great weekend!

[Dutchie80]

Did you have a 50 reading at some point?

Hey Tigga,
No misinterpretation, I have had a 50 reading, back in Oct 08 when I did my first flare. The local lab had me at 50 and MIVF told me (when I woke from EPU and asked) that it was 5.7. I know different labs have different ranges but 50 to 5.7 is a bit serious, AND this was the cycle I had my best results to date- most eggs collected and the only cycle I made it to TF - with a fsh in the menopausal range. Thankfully I haven't had another anywhere near that range but I guess you only need one.

Be really nice if we got to cycle together. Have you got a start sate in mind?

[Tigga]

Dutchie, glad to hear your FSH has been nowhere near 50 since and hopefully it stays that way. I won't be cycling in Sept unfortunately My follow up scan to D&C showed tissue still present so I am on a course of antibiotics (to stave off any chance of infection) and might need to go for a second D&C - I'll know on Monday. I'm it clears itself. Either way, FS has said not to cycle until I have one normal AF, so early October is my next realistic chance of cycling. It seems so far away - but I'm sure it'll be here before I know it. At least I can take some time off the IVF roller coaster for a while.

I'll check in to see how you're going. I'll keep everything crossed for you. xxxx

[buliej]

Tigga - I'm so sorry that your scan didn't give you the all clear. I've had a similar experience and it was so frustrating - you just want to be able to move on from this point. I had my D&C today and am in the same boat - next cycle won't start until first AF and any AF/bleeding prior to 4 weeks from today doesn't count.

Dutchie - 12.6 isn't that bad in the scheme of things - I hope this cycle goes well for you.

[Tigga]

Buliej - I am so sorry that you're going through this...you are not alone that's for sure. It's 2 weeks today since my D&C and I've had some really bad lows...last week I had a massive meltdown - just could not stop crying and feeling sad and desperate for a child - but thankfully, I am feeling stronger each day now - and with a clearer head know that I will be ok, whatever the outcome of this journey is. Give yourself time and cry when you feel like crying...it's better out than in!

Also, what do you mean by "and any AF/bleeding prior to 4 weeks from today doesn't count."...I don't quite get what you mean?

[buliej]

Thank you. It is unfortunate that we all know too well what the low points of this journey feel like
I had real lows after my first m/c and still do at times. Saw a little boy this week in a cafe ordering a hot choc on his own and I burst into tears as he was just so sweet! Not even a baby and still made me cry. I hope you are being very good to yourself.


My FS said that if I get what I think is AF before the 4 week anniversary of this procedure she won't count it for cycling puposes. Even though she would be happy to start with first AF, it has to be at least 4 weeks away. I hope I'm explaining this well. This is consistent with what I've read when I was reading up before my last d&c - the jest of what I read is that it is not a "real AF" (not real CD1) unless there is 4 weeks between D&C and AF day 1. However she did say that once the residual bleeding from today's procedure ends she has no problem with us ttc without her help while we wait for AF.

No DTD until residual bleeding stops bc of risk of infection as bleeding means you re not healed inside.

[Dutchie80]

Hi girls,

Tigga- I'm really sorry to hear you might need a d&c. I hope you are able to avoid it if possible and the antibiotics do the trick.
Would have been nice to cycle together but a break from IVF & the stress can sometimes really do wonders and Oct will be here before you know it. I can't believe in just over 3 mths it will be Christmas.

Hello to everyone else.

[Tigga]

Thanks Buliej, I totally get it now - thanks for the no DTD info...I actually didn't know. I hope with each day the heavy heart gets lighter for you...for all of us dealing with TTC loss and disappointments xxx

Dutchie - Yeah, would've been nice - but maybe you can set the pace and a BFP for me to follow - I'll be cheering for you the whole way!!!

[buliej]

Tigga - something else to keep in mind - you shouldn't take baths or go swimming until the bleeding has stopped - same reasons as for not DTD...this is all the most conservative approach - but I figure I have enough issues - I don't need to risk creating new ones for myself.

[buliej]

Have any of you come across a protocol called "Estrogen Priming" - another bellybelly girl told me she read about it on a US forum and that it sounded like it may be good for poor responders. So I've taken to google and it looks very interesting.

I did read that there are different variations of it (and I'd want the protocol best suited to me), but I did find one that I can at least make sense of as a lay person...it goes like this - I don't recognize some of the drugs as they are US drugs and would be interested in knowing their Aussie equivalents:

No BCPs Suppression as a way to take control of my cycle would be detrimental as I'm already too suppressed naturally.
CD MINUS-5 After blood tests to confirm I am mid-LP, will start on estrogen patches to build up the egg quality. Will change them every 3 days.
CD MINUS-4
thru
CD MINUS-2 Add daily ganirelix shots for 3 days. This quiets the ovaries and
gets the receptors ready for the FSH to come in the stimming portion. Also to keep my body from getting confused by the excess estrogen and accidentally increasing LH.
CD1/AF Call RE to schedule CD2 u/s.
CD2 Baseline u/s to confirm no cysts, resting follicle count. Stop ganirelix shots. Keep final estrogen patch on through trigger shot or until it falls off on its own.
CD3 Start stimming with Gonal-F and Menopur injections. Recombinant Gonal-f and purified "natural" Menopur have been shown to work well in combination. The FSH in both Gonal-f and Menopur should produce more follicles while the LH in the Menopur should help mature the eggs.
Stimming Will continue with u/s and b/w as the follicles develop. Probably somewhere from 6-12 days. Will add ganirelix back in when the lead follicle reaches 14mm to prevent premature ovulation.
Triggering Will trigger with Ovidrel (HCG) once I have more than 3 good follicles, hoping for more than 5.
Egg retrieval The usual.
Fertilization The usual.
Egg transfer Transfer at Day 3.

I think I am going to discuss with my FS.

Really, really curious as to whether anyone here has heard of this or knows anything about it.

[Tigga]

Eeeeek! Two days after D&C I spent a few hours in a Day Spa enjoying their hydro-therapy pools, hot baths etc for a couple of hours before a massage. (Sorry if too much info - I used mini tampon too - but no one ever told me not to.) I had no idea. I hope this is not the cause of my post D&C bleeds.

I remember once also reading about Estrogen Priming - but for some reason I recall FS telling me that an antagonist is a type of EP protocol...I'm really not to sure if I'm recalling this right (I could well have it confused)...I have an appointment Monday and will go in loaded with Q's - including this one.

There's been some good success stories of gals using DHEA for about 3-4 months before cycling. I have asked my FS for it - but he won't prescribe citing that it's not researched enough. There's a couple of 'Poor Responders' - high FSH'ers on another forum just about to cycle - if they get good results I'll be insisting on it. Another two are cycling and have just recorded their best ever follicle growth rates (usually 3-5 follies are present at first scan and they've gotten 11 and 10 each) - time will tell if quality is there was well...but so far so good in my opinion.

I'll post if I get any info from FS. Hope you are well!

[buliej]

Tigga - I'm so annoyed on your behalf - someone (your dr/the discharge nurse...someone) should have told you all of this. I think they forget that although this is common place to them, it's all new to us and we know nothing about it. I don't mean to poke my nose in, but maybe you should tell your dr about the spa & tampon...and see if you need strong antibiotics as a precautionary step.

From what I've read, antagonist is used with the Estrogen Priming Protocol...here's more - written by a dr - I don't understand a lot of it and plan on showing it to my FS..I've highlighted certain parts...please share what your FS says if you inquire about it and I'll do the same:

THE INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH TO INDUCTION OF
OVULATION


In order for any organism to attain an optimal state of maturation (ripening) it must first undergo full growth and development. A fruit plucked from a tree before having developed fully or a poorly developed fruit might still ripen (mature) on the shelf and might even appear as enticing as one that had previously undergone proper development, but it will lack the same quality. The same principles apply to the development and maturation of human eggs. Proper development as well as precise timing in the initiation of egg maturation with LH or hCG is no less crucial to optimal egg maturation, fertilization and ultimately to embryo quality .In fact, in cases where egg maturation is improperly timed (LH or hCG is released/given too early, i.e. prematurely or too late, i.e. postmaturely) there is an increased risk of aneuploidy (structural and numerical chromosomal abnormalities) leading to compromised reproductive performance.

The potential for a woman?s eggs to undergo orderly maturation, successful fertilization and subsequent progression to ?good quality embryos? that are capable of producing healthy offspring, is in large part, genetically determined. However, the expression of such potential is profoundly susceptible to numerous extrinsic influences, especially to intra-ovarian hormonal changes during the pre-ovulatory phase of the cycle.

During the normal, ovulation cycle, ovarian hormonal changes are regulated to avoid irregularities in production and interaction that could adversely influence follicle development and egg quality. As an example, while small amounts of ovarian male hormones (androgens) such as testosterone, enhance egg and follicle development, over-exposure to excessive concentrations of the same hormones can seriously compromise egg ( and subsequently, also embryo) quality . It follows that protocols for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) should be geared toward optimizing follicle and egg development and avoiding over exposure to androgens The fulfillment of these objectives requires an individualized approach to COH and that the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or recombinant luteinizing hormone (LHr) to ?trigger? ovulation, be timed precisely.

It is important to recognize that the pituitary gonadotropins, LH and FSH, while both playing a pivotal role in follicle development, have different primary sites of action in the ovary. The action of FSH is mainly directed toward granulosa cell (which line the inside of the follicles) proliferation and estrogen production. LH, on the other hand, acts primarily on the ovarian stroma (the connective tissue that surrounds the follicles) to produce androgens. Only a small amount of testosterone is necessary for optimal estrogen production. Over--production has a deleterious effect on granulosa cell activity, follicle growth/development, egg maturation, fertilization potential and subsequent embryo quality. Furthermore, excessive ovarian androgens can also compromise estrogen-induced endometrial growth and development.

In conditions such as polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), which is characterized by increased blood LH levels, there is also an increased ovarian androgen production. It is therefore not surprising that ?poor egg/embryo quality? and inadequate endometrial development are often features of this condition. The use of LH-containing preparations such as Pergonal and Repronex further aggravates this effect. Thus we strongly recommend against the exclusive use of such products, in PCOD patients, preferring FSH-dominant products such as Folistim and Gonal F. While it would seem prudent to limit LH exposure in all cases of COH, this appears to be more relevant in older women, who tend to be more sensitive to LH

It is common practice to administer gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (e.g. Lupron,Buserelin) and more recently, GnRH-antagonists (e.g. Antagon, Cetrorelix, Cetrotide )to prevent the release of LH with COH. GnRH agonists exert their LH-lowering effect. over a number of days. They act by causing an initial outpouring and then depletion of pituitary gonadotropins. This results in the LH level falling to within negligible concentrations, within 4-7 days, thereby establishing a relatively ?LH-free environment?. GnRH Antagonists, on the other hand, act by rapidly, within a few hours to block pituitary LH release, so as to achieve the same effect.

Long GnRHa Protocols: The most commonly prescribed protocol for Lupron/gonadotropin administration is the so-called ?long protocol?. Lupron is given, starting a week or so prior to menstruation. This precipitates an initial rise in FSH and LH level, which is rapidly followed by a precipitous fall to near zero. This is followed by uterine withdrawal bleeding (menstruation), whereupon gonadotropin treatment is initiated while daily Lupron injections continue, to ensure a relatively ?LH-free? environment.

Microflare GnRHa protocols: Another approach to COH, is by way of so-called ?microflare protocols?. This involves initiating gonadotropin therapy simultaneous with the administration of GnRH agonist. The intent is to deliberately allow Lupron to affect an initial surge (?flare?) in pituitary FSH release so as to augment ovarian response to the gonadotropin medication. Unfortunately, this approach represents ?a double edged sword? as the resulting increased release of FSH is likely to be accompanied by a similar rise in blood LH levels that could evoke excessive ovarian stromal androgen production. The latter could potentially compromise egg quality, especially in older women, and to women with conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) whose ovaries have increased sensitivity to LH. We believe that in this way, ?microflare protocols? potentially; can hinder endometrial development; compromise egg/embryo quality and reduce IVF success rates. Accordingly, we prefer to avoid ?flare protocols?.

GnRH antagonist protocols: The use of GnRH antagonists as currently prescribed in ovarian stimulation cycles, i.e. the administration of 250mcg daily from the 6or 7th day of stimulation with gonadotropins may be problematic, especially in women with high LH and overgrowth (hyperplasia) of ovarian stroma e.g. women over 40yrs, women with raised cycle day 3 FSH and/or low Inhibin B, other ?poor responders? to gonadotropins, and in some women with PCOS. In such cases the initiation of pituitary suppression with GnRH antagonists so late in the cycle of stimulation fails to suppress high tonic pituitary LH in the most formative (early) stage of folliculogenesis. One of the roles of LH is to promote androgen (mail hormone) production which in turn is essential (in small amounts) for optimal follicular growth to take place. In women with high LH and/or ovarian stromal hyperplasia, the failure of conventional GnRH antagonist protocols to address this issue, results in the inevitable excessive exposure of follicles to androgens (mainly testosterone). This can adversely influence egg/embryo quality and endometrial development.

Presumably, the reason for the suggested mid-follicular initiation of high dose GnRH antagonist is to prevent the occurrence of the so called "premature LH surge", which is known to be associated with ?follicular exhaustion? and poor egg/embryo quality. However the term ?premature LH surge? is a misnomer and the concept of this being a ?terminal event? or an isolated insult is, erroneous. In fact the event results from a culmination (end point) of the progressive escalation in LH (?a staircase effect?) which results in increasing ovarian stromal activation with commensurate growing androgen production. Trying to improve ovarian response and protect follicular exhaustion by administering Antagon/Cetrotide during the final few days of ovarian stimulation is like trying to prevent a shipwreck by collision, through removing the tip of an iceberg.

The use of such mid-follicular Antagon/Cetrotide protocols in younger women or in normal responders will probably not produce such adverse effects because the tonic endogenous LH levels are low (normal) in such cases and such normally ovulating women rarely have ovarian stromal hyperplasia . The better question would be: Do such women in fact require any form of pituitary suppression or down regulation at all? ---I doubt that they do.

So, at [US fertility clinic] we almost always prescribe 125mg Antagon or Cetrotide (i.e. half the usual dosage) starting on the day that FSH-dominant gonadotropins (Follistim, Gonal F and Bravelle) stimulation is initiated. The intent is to purposefully allow only a very small amount of the woman's own pituitary LH to enter her blood while preventing a large amount of LH from reaching her circulation. This is because while a small amount of LH is essential to promote and optimize FSH-induced follicular growth and egg maturation a large concentration of LH can trigger over-production of ovarian stromal testosterone with an adverse effect of follicle/egg/embryo quality. Moreover, since testosterone also down-regulates estrogen receptors in the endometrium, an excess of testosterone can also have an adverse effect on endometrial growth.

Estrogen priming protocols: Older women (over 40 yrs), women who have demonstrated a prior reduced ovarian response to COH and those who by way of significantly raised cycle day 3 FSH and reduced Inhibin B levels are considered likely to be ?poor responders?, are first given GnRH agonist for a number of days to effect pituitary down-regulation. Upon menstruation and confirmation by ultrasound blood estradiol measurement that adequate ovarian suppression has been achieved, the dosage of GnRH agonist is drastically lowered (or the agonist is replaced with a GnRH antagonist) and the woman is givens twice-weekly injections of estradiol for a period of 7-10 days. COH is then initiated using a relatively high dosage of FSH-dominant gonadotropins such as Folistim or Gonal F that is continued along with daily administration of GnRH agonist/antagonist until the ?hCG trigger?. A recently completed study has demonstrated the efficacy of this protocol and the ability to significantly improve ovarian response to gonadotropins in many of hitherto ?resistant patients


The GnRH Agonist/Antagonist Conversion Protocol (A/ACP) : It is our position that some form of pituitary blockade, either in the form of a GnRH agonist (e.g. Lupron, Buserelin, Nafarelin, and Synarel. Decapeptyl) or a GnRH antagonist (e.g. Antagon, Cetrotide, Cetrorelix, and Ganarelix) is an essential component in ovarian stimulation of ?poor responders? undergoing IVF. If this is not done, a progressive rise in LH ?induced ovarian androgens (male hormones ?.mainly testosterone) will inevitably affect follicle/ egg development, resulting in compromised embryo quality.

The follicles/ eggs of women on GnRH-agonist ?flare protocols? are exposed to an exaggerated Lupron-induced LH release, (the ?flare effect? while the follicles/eggs of women, who receive GnRH antagonists starting 6-8 days into the stimulation cycle are exposed to endogenous LH -induced ovarian androgens( especially testosterone). This might not be problematic in ?normal responders? but could be decidedly prejudicial in ?poor responders? and older women where endogenous basal LH levels are often raised and the ovaries may be inordinately sensitive to LH and where excessive exposure of follicles and eggs to testosterone could severely compromise egg development and thus embryo quality. ...hmm some words seem to be missing...
exhausted of its LH and residual minimal LH is present in the circulation by the time stimulation with gonadotropins begins, the above mentioned adverse testosterone-effect is largely negated. On the down side is the fact that prolonged administration of GnRH agonists such as Lupron (such as with the GnRH agonist down-regulation protocol could suppress subsequent ovarian response to ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins, by competitively binding with ovarian FSH receptors. We introduced of our Agonist/Antagonist Conversion Protocol (A/ACP) more than a year ago in an effort to counter this effect.
With the A/ACP, low dose Antagon/Cetrotide is commenced at the onset of spontaneous menstruation or following bleeding that follows initiation of GnRH agonist (e.g. Lupron) therapy using a long-down-regulation protocol arrangement. We currently prescribe the A/ACP to most of our IVF patients regardless of whether they are ?normal responders? or ?poor responders?. Preliminary results suggest a significant improvement in egg number, egg/embryo quality as well as in implantation and viable IVF pregnancy rates. The A/ACP has however, proven to be most advantageous in ?poor responders? where additional enhancement of ovarian response to gonadotropins may be achieved through incorporation of ?estrogen priming?. We have reported on the fact that the addition of estradiol for about a week following the initiation of the A/ACP, prior to commencing FSH-dominant gonadotropin stimulation appears to further enhance ovarian response, presumably by up-regulating ovarian FSH-receptors.
There is one potential draw back to the use of the A/ACP, in that the sustained use of a GnRH antagonist ( e.g. Antagon/Cetrotide) throughout the stimulation phase of the cycle, appears to compromise the predictive value of serial plasma estradiol measurements as a measure of follicle growth and development in that the estradiol levels tend to be much lower in comparison to cases where agonist (Lupron) alone is used or where a ? conventional? GnRH antagonist protocol is employed ( i.e. antagonist administration is commenced 6-8 days following initiation of gonadotropin stimulation). Rather than being due to reduced production of estradiol by the ovary(ies), the lower blood concentration of estradiol seen with prolonged exposure to GnRH-antagonist, could be the result of a subtle, agonist-induced alteration in the configuration of the estradiol molecule , such that currently available commercial kits used to measure estradiol levels are rendered much less sensitive/specific. Thus when the A/ACP is employed, we rely much more heavily on ultrasound growth of follicles along with observation of the trend in the rise of estradiol levels, than on absolute estradiol values. Thus we commonly refrain from prescribing the A/ACP in ?high responders? who are predisposed to the development of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and accordingly where the accurate measurement of plasma estradiol plays a very important role in the safe management of their stimulation cycles.
It is remarkable, that while using the A/ACP + "estrogen priming " in ?poor responders ? whose FSH levels were often well above threshold limits, the cycle cancellation has consistently been maintained below 10% ( i.e. much lower than expected). Many of these patients who had previously been told that they should give up on using their own eggs, and switch to ovum donation because of ?poor ovarian reserve?, have subsequently achieved viable pregnancies at [US fertility clinic] using the A/ACP with ?estrogen priming?.