The First of a Few About FSH Levels
For today I will explain what the day 3 FSH levels are, and in upcoming blogs I will talk more about FSH, and Estradiol, and then give some examples from my practice. Its not a very exciting subject, but I really want people to understand because so much is written about it and it effects so many women. I’ll start by saying the subject is not easy for anyone to completely understand because in the real world there are always exceptions, some of which I will show you.
FSH stands for Follicle Stimulating Hormone. Hormones are chemicals in your body that are made in one place and are used in another. FSH is made in the pituitary gland, which is a small gland found near the base of the brain. The pituitary makes other hormones. One controls the thyroid gland(TSH), another the adrenal gland(ACTH), and there are a few others.
As the name implies FSH gets the ovaries to work. Inside the ovary there are many many tiny follicles. A follicle is a fluid filled cyst that has one egg inside. The follicle starts as a microscopic structure, but FSH causes the fluid around the egg to increase so that the follicle becomes a cyst, and that’s what we see on ultrasound. In a normal cycle the follicle eventually bursts releasing the egg at ovulation. By the way, FSH is the same hormone that stimulates sperm production in men.
If the ovary has many eggs, the FSH in a woman’s blood is low because the body doesn’t need to work hard to get a normal ovulation. If the egg number is low, the body needs to work harder to get ovulation, so it increases the amount of FSH in an effort to push the ovaries. A high FSH means the egg number is reduced, sometimes to levels so low that pregnancy is not possible. What is a good level? Well that depends on each individual lab and IVF program. For most centers, anything over 12 is considered not so good. In fact, some centers will not give fertility treatment to those over 12 because the odds of pregnancy become very low. But as you will see later, not always impossible. Please return in a couple of days because there is much more that needs to be said on this subject.
FSH stands for Follicle Stimulating Hormone. Hormones are chemicals in your body that are made in one place and are used in another. FSH is made in the pituitary gland, which is a small gland found near the base of the brain. The pituitary makes other hormones. One controls the thyroid gland(TSH), another the adrenal gland(ACTH), and there are a few others.
As the name implies FSH gets the ovaries to work. Inside the ovary there are many many tiny follicles. A follicle is a fluid filled cyst that has one egg inside. The follicle starts as a microscopic structure, but FSH causes the fluid around the egg to increase so that the follicle becomes a cyst, and that’s what we see on ultrasound. In a normal cycle the follicle eventually bursts releasing the egg at ovulation. By the way, FSH is the same hormone that stimulates sperm production in men.
If the ovary has many eggs, the FSH in a woman’s blood is low because the body doesn’t need to work hard to get a normal ovulation. If the egg number is low, the body needs to work harder to get ovulation, so it increases the amount of FSH in an effort to push the ovaries. A high FSH means the egg number is reduced, sometimes to levels so low that pregnancy is not possible. What is a good level? Well that depends on each individual lab and IVF program. For most centers, anything over 12 is considered not so good. In fact, some centers will not give fertility treatment to those over 12 because the odds of pregnancy become very low. But as you will see later, not always impossible. Please return in a couple of days because there is much more that needs to be said on this subject.
posted by Dr. Licciardi at 5:39 PM
35 Comments:
This is the best explanation I've read/heard about FSH levels and how they affect ovulation and ovarian reserve. Thank you for clarifying this. Also, great info on the relationship between estradiol and FSH. Thank you!
Aren't there any other factors besides a low ovarian reserve which can cause elevated FSH? Since some women seem to have been able to lower their levels using diet, exercise, mind-body relaxation, herbs and acupuncture it seems like surely there would be other causes.
Does an FSh determine the quality of the eggs. my level is 16 my estroidal level is 63, and my DR said that I have a low chance of getting pregnant, and that the chances of an abnormality are greater. A friend in the same situation went to another doctor and rec'd different info. She is now starting hormone shots. Please help I am so confused.
Awesome blog and what a gift you are to your patients and the blogosphere. I have started a blog to recount the infertility issues I dealt with personalloy to get pg successfully 2 times. I was fortunate to find a doctor like you who didn't promptly usher me out the door with a FSH of 14.4 and I was 40 years old...
My sister is having trouble conceiving and I have offered to be an egg donor for her. My FSH level is 13 and they are not letting me even try. Does this seem fair? What is the chance that I couldn't be a donor for her? I have two kids already, which you would think would help my chances. 13 seems borderline in some clinics. What would it hurt to try, especially since she is paying out of pocket?
i have FSh level of 10.8 last done on 7/12/06 i want to know how soon can my levels increase, is there any way of knowing how soon i will get into POF? can i conceive naturally?
i have hypothyroidism, and have tested positive for Anti ovarian antibodies
I am 25 and my FSH level is 13.22. I was put on Medrol for 12 days. I have cardiolipin Antibodies of level 15.7. My doctor is optimistic but after I read some related articles I started believing that my chances are very low. What do you think? Am so confused
My FSH level is 9.99, ultrasound indicates 7 follicles per ovary, am 47 years old, and my doctor advised against ovarian cryopreservation. I'm thinking about getting a second opinion. ( I also take 100mg of Levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism).
Can taking Agnus casta really make a difference to FSH levels
Hi, I am now registered for IVF in Calgary, I had an ultrasound done the day my period started, the tech said that my left had 13 follicles and the other one big one ,she said it either just burst or is about to, due the the liquid around it, as well, i went for FSH test on day three it came back 15.5!!! I am 29 years old. 5'5 115 pounds. had an atopic to years ago, never got pregnant since ,HSG was clear as well. I went on clomid for 3 months everything seemed to be fine but no pregnancy! why is my FSh so high? is it mabe because I ovulated very late? do I have a chance with IVF? they are asking me to do another FSH day 3 test? Please help,
where DO I stand?
sorry I just wrote a comment I am getting redy for IVF in Calgary I wrote above that I had an atopic it was 10 YEARS ago, since then nothing,FSh at 15.5
Will taking antidepressants affect the FSH level? Will liver disease (Hep C) affect the FSH level?
I am interested to hear what you have to say about Estradiol levels and FSH. I am 33 years old, and have had one elevated FSH (11.6) and have been told my day 3 estradiol levels are elevated (in the 80s). My husband had a vaso-vasectomy a year and a half ago that has only resulted in low sperm count. My fertility doctor told me IVF would be my only option, until my elevated FSH level. Now he is not all that optimistic about IVF, and of course I am devastated. From what I understand, my levels are not extremely horrible. So just looking for some additional info on the Estradiol issue.
Yesterday I had my day three testing so that I can donate my eggs to a family. Today I received a call that my FSH levels are at 12.1. They want to hold off and test the levels again during my next cycle. I'm only 22 years old and my FSH levels are at 12.1. I'm beginning to get very scared. I don't know if I should wait it out until the next blood test or if I should be concerned about this right now. What should I do?
Can brain atrophy cause a low FSH reading?
Thanks.
Wow what a great blog. I am 30 years old MY FSH readings are 28 and 20 been there done that I was was also a pin cushion in Calgary it is rough ladies. I have had hot flashes since I was 25 years old doctors blew it off. I have pre mature ovarian failure. My FSH levels are really high for my age.
I am 47 and have my fsh test back at 9.59 and e2 back 35.9..my dr. says i would have better chance at donor eggs, i've had one dr. laugh at me and the other say same thing DONOR...why are they laughing at me? when they find out my age they go negetive on me.
im getting very discouarged..
I'm 39 years old. I have been resently been diagnosis with fibromyalgia. Not feeling well, my general practitioner ordered "hormone" lab tests. My FSH = 1.2. I was told to f/u with a GYN.
Should I be concerned?
Why is it so low?
I am 36 years old and have had 2 FSH level tests. The first one was 9.4 and the second was 11.7. Everything else is normal. IVF has been the recommended course of action. What are my chances of getting pregnant with IVF? We are trying to decide if we should proceed.
This is really good article. i have FSH level of 15.3 and i am 26 year old. does this will have the chance to come down. what are my chances for IVF.i have taken norgestrel and ethinyloestradiol tablets for 20 days . my dr has told me to repeat the dose. pls help me
I am a breat cancer survivor and 41.5 years. I went through menopausal symptoms during chemo but my periods returned. I have since had my FSH tested and tested and got a reult of 41.8 U/L. I am American living in England and I'm trying to understand what this means. I'm comparing my result to women on this site and my number looks really high by comparison. Do you know if this is a difference of measure - England vs. American? And what the translation would be? And does chemo ruin eggs, cause FSH to rise? THanks
My day 3 FSH was 6.8, but my day 10 was 21. what does this mean?
Hi doctor, I'm 33 years old and have been trying for 2 years.My FSH is 11.1 on day 3. I did one IUI but failed last year. I had 4 months consecutive ovulation monitor by Ultrasound before the IUI. Every month, there is one mature follicle produced on each side ovary. I also used test kit for ovulation during these two years and every one it shows ovulation. I'm pretty sure I have no problem ovulating. I just don't understand why I can't get pregnant. Now my only problem found in all kinds of tests is high FSH. My husband's sperm is OK.
Doctor, can you tell me if high FSH can cause low quality egg? Does it mean even if I can ovulate on my own every month,the quality of the egg is too low to get pregnant? Is there any way to improve the quality of egg?
I'm going to do IVF. I want to know do I have a chance to succeed?
Thank you very much!
Worried
Hi, i am 29 years old male and wanted to know my FSH level is 14 and sperm count is NIL. Will it can be cured
I just want to give you ladies some hope if you are worried about fertility soley based on your fsh levels. I lost a baby, 2 years ago, as I was entering my second trimester...it was a surprise pregnancy but I was very excited. At 37 years of age it put my fertility front and center. After the loss it took some time getting over it. The pathology came back and the missed miscarriage was due to Turner Syndrome.I am now 39 and have been on a journey to single motherhood. It has taken me awhile to get my courage up. At first my FSH read 6 (that was a year ago)...then I went to 12...my most recent reading (even though I had been going to acupunture) in September was 19. I was mortified and my doctor kept telling me to take clomid. I had started a regime of weekly acupuncture that began in the summertime but these number values kept rising. The numbers sent me into a tailspin even though I hadn't even had any failed attempts as of yet. Anyway I finally stopped doing these tests and switched doctors because their treatment wasn't helping me. I'm not saying they don't have any value, I just think many of these ovarian reserve tests cannot predict whether pregnancy will occur or not. When I went for my transvaginal ultrasound second day of my menses... I had 3 follicles on one ovary and one on the other ovary. I looked at the doctor..."That's not that many huh...that's bad"...she turned to me and said..."it only takes one". I felt calm even though I was still doubting due to my prior experience. When I had my LH surge and finally went in for another ultrasound they confirmed that I had one beautiful emerging dominant one...the doc's assistant asked me if I had taken clomid. "No, not at all. not yet." I was in the next day for and IUI. Supposedly there is a 6 % chance for a natural IUI cycle.....and I am part of that 6%. I had bought many more cc's of washed sperm because I never believed I would get pregnant my first round. not at my age, not with those odds. Pregnancy and live birth or two different things entirely, so while I am lucky I got pregnant on the first go, I continue to pray for a healthy ongoing pregnancy and birth. One thing I know now is that I can get pregnant at 39, and those FSH numbers had little predictive value. I just wanted to put that out there. I do believe the acupunture helped me alot...whether directly affecting my fertility or egg quality or indirectly by keeping me calm and balanced in the midst of all my insane doc appts which usually left me unstuck. I hope this story helps someone. The internet is a great tool for gathering information and sharing stories, but it can also be counterproductive when you read too many things that in the end don't really help your cause. Trust your instincts and make your and try to take an active role on your road to motherhood, be an intergral part of your fertility plan.
excuse all my typos...i didn't do a once over before I posted.
Anonymous said:
Well I was told today my FS level is 8.7 and that it was unlikely a natural pregancy will occur --I'm 45--After reading these other comments the number doesn't sound that bad...Should I remain hopeful" I know my odds are only 5% even under the best of circumstances but can someone shoot over any ray of hope?
I am 40, my husband 42. His sperm quality was determined good. We had one miscarriage 8 years ago, but did not try until recently. We started with an FSH level of 11. Due to an error we injected 750 IU of Follistim at the beginning of the cycle for three days, but recovered. Only two follicles developed, but two good eggs were retrieved and successfully fertilized. Transfer was successful too, but big disappointment when we received negative test results yesterday. Is there a point in continuing with another cycle and if so, should we take a few months break?
Great blog- very helpful. I'm just considering IUI in a few months and got my bloodwork back yesterday. It is possible for a 40 year old woman to have FHS of 2 and Estradiol of 16? These numbers seem very low. I am still on the pill- could this affect the numbers?
I am 27, have been diagnosed with PCOS, have an FSH of 3.2 and I cannot menstruate without use of BSC. Is it possible for me to get pregnant without the use of clomid or will that be a necessity for me?
are there any medicine for making lavel low of FSH and LH
This is not the usual question for this blog, but my urgency for help is great. I am 58yrs old, still mentruating and am getting married after 24yrs of no sex. I am petrified of getting pregnant. My FSH is 8.4, ESTRADIOL is 44. I want to have a tubal ligation and everyone seems to think this is ridicules. I would not be comfortable with any other birth control method. PLEASE HELP ME!!!
I'm 43 years old and I'm worried about my pregnacy, My FSH is high (13) and the doctor told me that it is impossible to have a baby, but I'm going to visit another doctor to get a different opinion,Really I want to have a baby but this situstion makes me feel confused and nervous. What can I do?
Unfortunately, at 41 and embarking on a new relationship, my FSH is 59. I've had two unplanned, healthy pregnancies in my mid-20's. From what I've read and my OB's response, pregnancy seems impossible now, but my fiance is looking for the "probability'" (10%, 5%, 0%...). Any thoughts?
Dr xiao zhong li is an acupuncturist who has had success in lowering fsh levels, he is located in flushing queens
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