Reducing FSH Levels

[Ellie]

Hi
I have just found out we can't go ahead this month as my FSH levels are 11.5 and they need to be below 10. It has happened before and they have come down a bit. I just wondered if anyone had any suggestions of how to reduce my levels as I really want to get started on this tmt cycle. My clinic have suggested a visit to Zita West as the only possibility.Has any one else tried this and did it work?
I dont know much about how long it takes to reduce levels and whether a high level this month would affect next months egg quality, I am off to do some research but if anyone can point me in the right direction or has any experience I would love to hear it.
I know that IVF is a rollercoaster ride but I am still feeling a bit down.

[LittleP]

Ellie

I am so sorry that you can't start straightaway. I'm sorry that I can't help with FSH levels and offer you some useful information.

I phoned Zita West's clinic to talk about the vitamins I could go on and to talk generally about any self-help I could do and they were terrific over the phone. I am sure if you gave them a ring and talked to them about your situation they would be very helpful.

I will keep everything crossed for you and hope that you manage to get things sorted quickly so that you can get up and running next month.

Take care of yourself.

Big hugs and PMA

Little P

[DebraP]

Hi Ellie, sorry to hear your FSH level is high this month. This happened to me in January, it was 14.4, I was told I couldn't begin treatment and so tried all I could to reduce my levels. I don't know what, if anything, I did to right but it was 8 in February and we went ahead. I ate really healthily, went to the gym a lot (but see below for conflicting advice here), ate lots of tofu, broccoli and almonds. I also lost 2kgs into the bargain!!

I'm really interested that your clinic put such faith in Zita West's advice. Do you have her book 'Fertility + Conception' already? she does say that there's nothing conventional you can do to reduce FSH levels and as far as I know, there's no medication available either.

Zita suggests accupuncture, on the acupoints to help balance the pituitary gland. She also says the following might help:
* a detox
* gentle exercise, losing an excess weight etc.
* relaxing, deep breathing, meditating on the colour blue.
* B complex and zinc supplements
* keep your lower abdomen warm
* specific herbal supplements
* a fatty acid supplement
* eating more beans, pulses, onions and garlic
* eating more foods with physo-oestrogens.

I also read lots online about this and discovered that as levels fluctuate each month, they can naturally adjust up or down. A general increase can't usually be reversed though. My clinic told me that even if my high level in January was an indication of perri-menopause that I still had a 2-3 window to continue treatment.

Good luck,
Debra

[cmg]

Hi Ellie

I have absolutely no idea about FSH levels, but just wanted to say that I was sorry to hear that you've got another delay and sorry that we won't be cycling together.

hope you find the answer you're looking for

Caroline

[taylorjools]

Hi Ellie

My heart is with you sweetie. I had early menopause so found our far too late what I could have done. A book I have called Optimum Nutrition before, During and After Pregnancy by Patrick Holford, is very keen on essential fatty acids both Omega 6 and 3. I take a supplement called VegEPA - from www.vegepa.com - as this combines ethyl EPA with evening primrose oil in high concentrations.

Debras advice sounds sound to me, try to avoid stress too.

thinking of you

Love bigJ

[dancola]

Just to repeat what Debra said, I am seeing an acupuncturist who specialises in treating women undergoing IVF or who have fertility issues. He treats lots of women with high FSH levels and strongly believes acupuncture can help to a certain extent (though he did say he had one patients whose levels where so high that even he couldn’t help her to lower them sufficiently to conceive naturally). I am a bit worried now – I don’t think I’ve ever had my FSH levels tested! I had one blood test about 3 years ago that the GP sent me for (when we first started to investigate why we had no luck conceiving) – she told me they were hormone tests and everything came back fine. My clinic, as far as I’m aware, have not tested me. I produce around 11/13 eggs per cycle so maybe that means I’m OK?

[SamanthaH]

Hi Ellie,

My FSH was 68 when I was trying to go down the IVF route, so try not to worry to much but I completely understand how you are feeling. I tried Accupunture and Chinses medicine and the levels halfed in 6 weeks, I know this is a long time to wait but as yours are not as high as mine were I'm sure it won't take long at all.

Good luck

Sam x

[Ellie]

Hi Everyone
Thanks for all you messages and advice. I now have Zita Wests book and I am going to sit in the garden and read it this afternoon.
I have had problems with my fsh levels before so it wasn't really a shock that it was no go this month,I guess I'd forgotton how you have no control over your life when you are doing IVF. I just wanted to get it over with (obviously with a BFP!!!!!!) now I have got to wait a bit longer.
I am less stressed today and planning to cram loads into the next and subsequent months while waiting for my levels to sort themselves out.

[LittleP]

Ellie

Enjoy your reading - it's an excellent book and I'm sure you'll get loads from it.

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better today.

Take care and have a lovely w/e

Big hugs

LP

[Alison]

Hi Ellie - sorry you've had this disappointing news. My FSH levels have fluctuated around a lot, and one time they were above 10 so I couldn't start the cycle when I wanted to. Before starting this course of tmt I took Agnus Castus (not entirely sure of the spelling - I want to call it Angus Cactus!) which I'd read (I think on here a long time ago) could help with reducing FSH, and is generally supposed to help with female hormones. I've no idea whether it made any difference but when I started the cycle my FSH was as low as it had ever been. You can get the tablets from health food shops - the only downside is that they are bloody enormous!

Good luck

Alison

[Ellie]

Alison
I had been thinking about agnus castus so it is good to hear it worked for you,
How long did you take it for and did you stop once tmt started? Do you think it helped your tmt?
Sorry for all the questions but I am very interested if there is something I can do.

[Alison]

Hi again Ellie. I just took it for a month (the bottle I had had 30 days worth) for the month up to having the day 2 blood tests and then stopped. I really don't know whether it made a difference or not, but I like to try to do something positive, and it seemed worth a try.

Alison

[Sand]

Hi Ellie ... Just to add to what Debra is saying about levels fluctuating naturally each month - stress can be a factor. Gentle, regular exercise is the best way to relieve stress (something I've promised myself I WILL start doing !).

I hope whatever you try works for you Ellie.

Sandra x

[bubblymichelle]

Hi Elle

I don't have any tips to be honest reference the levels but I bet you are so gutted that you can't start tmt. Don't give up hope, people are giving you a few ideas so hopefully you will get the ball rolling again soon and be able to start.

Love
Shell.
xx

[Sand]

Bumped to the top for Babysoft ...

Sandra x