Low AMH levels - any experience???

[sprouthaus]

Hi everyone,

I have just recently found out that my AMH level is extremely low, 0.3 to be exact. My FSH is considered normal at 6.3 and thus RE has been treating my as if I can get pregnant. BUT, we have had 2 failed and 1 cancelled IVF cycles to date and have always had a poor response to stims.

I am looking for any wisdom, experience, or advice regarding low AMH levels - any chance at all of success for us???? I am desperate to hear from others who know more about AMH....

[Sara30]

Hi Sprout

I am sorry to hear your last IVF was cancelled, I was with you on the march april thread??

I don't know anything about AMH levels but there was a thread on the infertility forum called premature menopause by mistorie, she mentions AMH levels being low for her, my problem has always been my FSH levels being high so not even sure if my AMH levels were ever checked.

Perhaps you could try contacting her or replying on her thread she may have some info.

Lee xx

[sprouthaus]

Thanks for the tip Sara! I never knew my AMH was checked either - but I had requested my records in preparation for consultations with other REs so, I found the results myself. It came as quite a shock. Who knew my infertility could still cause me to sink so low.....again! Of course, RE is on vacation right now - so I can't even speak to her about it. I think the use of AMH levels as an indicator is still up for debate - and I don't think the FDA has an approved test for measuring yet - this is why we don't hear about it in the US.

Are you cycling now? My cycle didn't get cancelled - I just realized that DH and I needed to talk to a few REs to see if we really were doing everything possible. We only have enough insurance money for one or maybe two more rounds - so we want to make sure we use them wisely.

[Mellie_1233]

I cycled with CCRM. My AMH was low, too (0.6). They told me that anything above 1.5 was normal. I don't know if our two AMH levels can be compared, though, b/c different clinics have different ways of measuring.

I do not respond well to stims but I make high quality embryos. I was cancelled due to poor response in Chicago but then I went to CCRM. I still didn't respond well but the retrieved and I had good quality embryos (just not a lot of eggs -- 7 eggs, 6 mature, 4 day 5 embryos). I have a little girl now as a result. (I was 36 at the time of the cycle).

Anyway, I think when you have few eggs to work with the lab is really important as you want each one to get all the TLC it can. That's why we went to CCRM in Colorado.

Let me know if you want more info! Good luck!

[lynniecat]

I only had my AMH checked at CCRM and it was .6 -- they said that was low and were very negative on me getting pregnant. They insisted on a clomid challenge, but I decided I did not want to waste a cycle and went back to my old clinic (we had moved 3000 miles away, so I had to fly back). The old RE said AMH measures how many follicles you might produce and its really not something they look at as FSH and antral counts are enough for them (and they don't screen patients). Dr. Surrey at CCRM told me point blank that if my FSH was above 15 on day 3 or 10 he would definitely not cycle me. I am now 21 weeks pregnant. I only make 3 or 4 embryos a round, so the AMH maybe reflects that, but they are descent quality. I don't think anything can predict quality, though age can suggest the quality is not as good, it can not tell you for sure. I am 42. Of my 10 total embryos (over 3 rounds) 4 implanted and 2 were genetically normal. One did not make it do to lupus.

So there you have it. Good luck!

[sprouthaus]

lynnie and mellie - Thanks for all your guidance and wisdom! I am still trying to figure out this AMH business. From what I've read....0.3 is very low; however, I have decent FSH levels at 6.3.

I'm definitely a low responder, once I had 10 eggs, 8 mature, transferred 2 good quality 3day embryos, and once I had 4 eggs, 2 mature, 2 good quality 2day embryos. So, unfortunately - I make a low number of eggs and not great quality.

We only have insurance for one more cycle - and maybe we could afford an additional cycle out of pocket....so I really want to be sure we do the right protocol for low AMH levels (if there even is such a thing). Did either of you do an antagonist cycle? This is what RE suggests next...but I'm still seeking second opinions before we try again.

Thanks again!

[Mellie_1233]

I used an estrogen priming protocol b/c I don't respond correct to bcp's. I feel stupid now but I can't remember what an antagonist protocol is. Can you explain?

I think that I did not take lupron and instead did ganirelix acetate. If my memory serves the lupron over-suppressed me.

[sprouthaus]

Mellie - the ganirelix cycle is the same as the antagonist. I have been wondering about estrogen priming as RE didn't suggest it - this is why I have the consults scheduled, to find out if estrogen should be included....

Thanks again

[wishing4baby]

Sprout- just wanted to pop in and say that I am thinking of you. I hope you are on your way to finding out what will bring you your baby. Your baby is out there. Don't give up.

[bogeyhart]

Hi there lynniecat. I need all the help I can get and it seems as though you know your stuff. I have a phone consult with Dr. Surrey at CCRM on Friday and I am totally scared. I am 38 years old with an amh of 0.2, a high fsh of 16 and AFC of 4. I have been retested with the fsh and got a 6 recently. I really want them to accept me but I am scared he will not. I have never done any type of treatment or IVF. New to all of this. Someone said you had a similar experience? Where did you end up going for treatment?