Ghost

[TammyS]

Hi Ghost...

My ER is early tomorrow morning...and I'm concerned.

According to my doc, I am having a terrific cycle...but I'm concerned about my E2 level. I had 13 follies growing on my first SnS...and triggered on Tuesday with 9 decent sized follicles...which I figure 7 will likely be mature...8 if we are lucky.

However, my E2 level was only 915. My E2 levels are normally between 1400-1700 each cycle...except with Zach's cycle 3 yrs ago...when it was in the 3000's and we got 12 eggs with 10 mature that cycle.

My lining was only a 10.2 this time ..which I know is fine, but it's normally 12-16 at trigger.

My follies are:
19 (although it was a 20.5 the day before?! Hmm.)
18.5
18
17.5
16
15.5
14
13
12.5

We did a whole new protocol this cycle:
100 mg's of Clomid on days 5-9
100 follistim on days 8-15
Ganerlix on days 11-15

Is it because of the Clomid that my lining and E2 levels are lower than normal?
Do you think we will actually have at least 7 mature follicles despite my E2 level?
Does this indicate that some of my follicles may be empty...though we have never had this issue before?
Do you think maybe we should have waited 1 more day to trigger?

Thanks Ghost.

[Ghost]

Hi Ghost...

My ER is early tomorrow morning...and I'm concerned.

According to my doc, I am having a terrific cycle...but I'm concerned about my E2 level. I had 13 follies growing on my first SnS...and triggered on Tuesday with 9 decent sized follicles...which I figure 7 will likely be mature...8 if we are lucky.

However, my E2 level was only 915. My E2 levels are normally between 1400-1700 each cycle...except with Zach's cycle 3 yrs ago...when it was in the 3000's and we got 12 eggs with 10 mature that cycle.

My lining was only a 10.2 this time ..which I know is fine, but it's normally 12-16 at trigger.

My follies are:
19 (although it was a 20.5 the day before?! Hmm.)
18.5
18
17.5
16
15.5
14
13
12.5

We did a whole new protocol this cycle:
100 mg's of Clomid on days 5-9
100 follistim on days 8-15
Ganerlix on days 11-15

Is it because of the Clomid that my lining and E2 levels are lower than normal?
Do you think we will actually have at least 7 mature follicles despite my E2 level?
Does this indicate that some of my follicles may be empty...though we have never had this issue before?
Do you think maybe we should have waited 1 more day to trigger?

Thanks Ghost.

Clomid will not reduce the E2 levels (Letrozole would do exactly that), but it is not as potent a stimulant as Follistim, so the use of Clomid instead of an FSH product may well explain lower E2 than what you had in prior cycles.

Clomid blocks the estradiol receptor, so it may well explain your somewhat thinner endometrium this time.

Your follicle sizes suggest a good chance of about 6 or 7 good eggs.

Not sure if I would have wanted one more day or not.

[TammyS]

When you say reduced...you mean go down instead of up? Mine went steadily up...just not up as high as my normal.

Also, since I stimmed 8 days on follistim, but was on Clomid for 4 days leading up to adding follistim (5 days total)...how many days did I technically stimm? 8 or 12? If it is 8...does that seem kinda quick to you...with averages being 10-12 days?

Thanks Ghost!

[Ghost]

When you say reduced...you mean go down instead of up? Mine went steadily up...just not up as high as my normal.

Yes, clomid will not reduce E2 levels, but it usually won't increase them as much as FSH usually does.

Also, since I stimmed 8 days on follistim, but was on Clomid for 4 days leading up to adding follistim (5 days total)...how many days did I technically stimm? 8 or 12? If it is 8...does that seem kinda quick to you...with averages being 10-12 days?

Thanks Ghost!

I'd call it 12 days, but the clomid is a slower stim. It blocks the E2 receptor, so the hypothalamus will release more GnRH to get the pituitary to release more FSH (and LH).

It is believed by some that clomid is bad for endometrial receptivity.

[TammyS]

Is it only bad for endometrial receptivity when referring to the lining or what day your cycle is...or other things to?

I am on day 17 of my cycle and ET will be on day 20. My lining was 10.2 at trigger.

Thanks Ghost.

[Ghost]

Is it only bad for endometrial receptivity when referring to the lining or what day your cycle is...or other things to?

I am on day 17 of my cycle and ET will be on day 20. My lining was 10.2 at trigger.

Thanks Ghost.

I don't know what the effect is, or if it is reflected in endometrial thickness. I just know the docs I work with say clomid is bad for receptivity.

[TammyS]

If you have a moment and can...would you be able to ask? I'm really curious. I have found in my research the same as your saying...but no explanation as to why. I asked my doc...but he keeps saying, it's fine. Thanks Ghost.

[Ghost]

If you have a moment and can...would you be able to ask? I'm really curious. I have found in my research the same as your saying...but no explanation as to why. I asked my doc...but he keeps saying, it's fine. Thanks Ghost.

I asked. The answer was not very specific.

I did a little research. There are reports saying the endometrium is affected in clomid cycles, but there are also reports saying it's not. It may come down to opinion regarding which reports to believe.

[TammyS]

Thanks Ghost. I'm finding the same thing. No real reasons as to "why" it affects the endometrium. I really appreciate you going out of your way to ask and do research. You're the best!

[riogirl71]

Tammy - how are you feeling? How have you been? When is your beta?

[TammyS]

Ooops, sorry Rio. Uhm...I'm pregnant!!! lol

Thanks again, Ghost! Love you! Happy Valentines Day, Ghost! xoxo

[TammyS]

Thanks SD! It's almost your turn!

[Mellie_1233]

Congratulations on your positive, Tammy!