Base line / Egg Count Test ?

We are currently TTC, DS is an ICSI baby and although we are just trying naturally atm, we will likely head down the IVF/ICSI path later in the year when we have some cash unless an amazing miracle occurs

However, 3 years after TTC DS (3 years older) I am concerned about my reduced fertility and thinking about asking my FS for the base line / Egg Count test - will they do it if you are not commiting to a cycle any time soon? Or can a regular GP test for you?

I am turning 37 shortly and although the fertility issues are with regard to my DH, I am concerned that my advancing age may hinder us if we leave it too long

Any helpful info about this test (and exactly what its called) would be appreciated

Cheers
Naomi

(who thought 37 was 'advancing age' ?? Only in fertility years :o )

It is called the AMH (Anti Mullerian Hormone) Test......your FS has to order it as it is generally only the Fertility clinics pathology labs that have the facilities to run the test. We had ours done when Mr C was about 9 months old as I am 41 an we wanted to know how quickly we had to make a decision about number 2....found out my egg reserve is excellent, well above normal for my age so we are hoping to go back later this year if we don't fall naturally. So yes you can definitely have it donw outside of a cycle.....there is no medicare rebate for it yet however and it cost us $60 to get done.

I've just had this done (AMH test). My GP was happy to order the test for me and was going to cost $120ish but because I was going back for another IVF cycle anyway, got it done through the IVF clinic and only cost me $68, so is cheaper to get it done through IVF clinics but GPs can do it for you. My result was as expected after trying for many years and having unsuccessful attempts at IVF for a second baby. I'm glad I got it done as I think I needed it written in ink that my time has pretty much run out. Normal I'm told is around a score of 10 or above. I was 3.6 and am only 37 but is likely due to my many years of endometriosis. Who knows, but I'm still giving it a last shot or 2.

Oh - and I should add in that the test takes approx. 2 weeks before you get results back and its recommended you do the test 2 months after stopping the pill as it can affect the results.

It is worth having I am only 34 & had the test done through my FS & found out mine was 1.4 :( which is why I responded so poorly with my 1st stim cycle.

I reckon get it done asap!

I did mine a year ago and it was 17.6 (or point something!! can't remember!) I had just turned 39...BUT since having done IVF, despite the good numbers "on paper" I have still responded poorly to the stim drugs.

The more I do/learn about IVF, the more I realise it's an inexact science and it's as much about dumb luck as anything else!

Good luck :)

n2l

agree with nothing2lose - and not to rain on anybody's parade (only put this out there because the facts are important and I was late learning the facts) - these tests tell you nothing about egg quality which is a huge factor as you approach 40 and beyond. You can have very good egg reserve, but the % of those eggs that are going to be normal in terms of chromosomes decreases as you get older and this is a very, very important factor.

I had the test done in October 2010 as we were leaving to go and live overseas for 6 months and seeing that I was already 40 at the time, I wanted to know what my eggs were doing in case IVF had to be put on a front burner! My results were 'normal' for my age (12 or something like that) so we did go overseas but now I really want to do a cycle asap as I can honestly feel my eggs frying FAST.

Just to put my two cents in on the AMH result and what it means for the egg quality, I asked my FS about that and he said that generally, if the reserve is good then it's assumed the egg quality is good. And vice versa if the reverse is low.

That's interesting Miss B - I was told that they weren't related.

I was told that you are both correct to a degree.....that a good egg reserve tends to indicate a better quality of egg overall as there are more eggs being sent forth in each cycle still for that "good" egg to dominate and be fertilised. But that also in general egg quality does diminish with age...we know that as the downs risk goes up etc etc but as a general indicator the better the AMH number the better the quality. so for example a 42 yr old with an AMH of 3 has fewer eggs and more dodgy eggs than a 42 yr old with and AMH of 13.....they both still have more dodgy eggs than a 30 yr old though, if that makes sense......

buliej, look into it further if you like (would be interested what you find!) what I was told was told to me by a well known IVF specialist here in Melbourne (one who is treating me) and I trust this man 110%. I do think though, that every FS has probably their own opinion, so that's why I would be interested to know if there are any other opinions on it.

In the old days, I would investigate further - we found another way to have our little miracle and what my own eggs were doing became irrelevant and I now spend my energy obsessing on other things (like safe play mats...as you may have seen from some of my recent posts) :). But what melbel says makes sense intuitively.

If only I could stop obsessing about my eggs!!!!!!!! lol. Any hints welcome :)

nope because I am just as bad if not worse...coming up to 42 and desperate for a sibling for master C but have just been told I need urgent dental work that I put off when pregnant and breastfeeding Connor for obvious reasons so there goes our IVF slush fund...anyone got the winning tattslotto numbers fore this week?

I don't hun but I would love to know what they are too! Bugger about the dental work though :( I was in a similar boat, when half way through my pg with Cam I was told I needed to come back after he was born for some more major dental work (2 root canals). Thank God it's now done, but our $$ are rather depleted for now too. Bring on those lotto numbers!!!!!

I have always been led to believe AMH was an indication of reserve but not quality, although what Mel said is true too. Basically it's like bingo. Each month an egg is spat out (so to speak!) but as we get older the number in the barrel diminishes as the good eggs have been spat out earlier in our lives. So we are left with fewer of a lesser quality. Sorry for the bad analogy - my brain is diminishing too!!
MissB - egg quality is a current obsession of mine too!!! I am 40 in a month and I feel like my eggs are ancient!!!

Ahh, we should start a new thread on how to inject positivity (and maybe even improve our egg quality :)) into our 'egg quality' issues!! lol. Ladies, we should, each day, positively affirm how good our eggs are and how they will produce some fine babies for us :)

PS NTL, I have everything crossed for you lovely (been stalking you in the 2WW hehehehe).

PPS Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit Naomi :redface:

Haha! Thanks MissB! So you know that not only do I have dodgy eggs, I am certifiably insane, ridiculously impatient and more than just a little stupid at times!!! :lol:

(sorry for hijacking too!)

hahaha N2L, you are just gorgeous and you DON'T have dodgy eggs!!!!!! lol. Remember, we have great quality eggs :) I wish you all the very best in getting your little miracle very soon :)

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PPS Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit Naomi :redface:

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All good ladies, I was actually very interested to read the differing views on the egg quality, I will see what my FS has to say on the matter and report back :)