Comments on: FSH Levels and Your Fertility

By: Shelly

Shelly — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:03:39 +0000

Hello Brittney Klein,

Not to alarm you but it sounds that your endocrinologist is on the right path to figuring out what is going on. Hair loss, no lh/fsh, no periods and your body not feeling the way it use to…sounds like you have hypopituitarism. I may be wrong but google it, look at the symptoms and see if they match what is going on with you. If you do have it be rest assured that a doctor will get you back to feeling more yourself and if you desire to have a child it is possible with the help of an RE. I’m not a doctor I have hypopituitarism myself and have been in the same situation with this rare disease. I wish you all the luck in the world

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:15:40 +0000

Hi gab,

Only your doctor can determine your egg quality for a surrogacy. Please talk to your doctor about this.

All the best,

Dalene

By: gab

gab — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:11:12 +0000

had a hysterectomy 3 years ago at 41. had considered gestational surrogacy then but ran into several financial issues with it. At my current age of 44 is it still a possibility?

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:39:25 +0000

Hi Brittney Klein,

Fertility super foods and adaptogen herbs greatly support endocrine function. Adaptogen Herbs for Protecting and Nourishing the Endocrine System
Adaptogen is one of the many definitions for the therapeutic action a plant has. Adaptogen herbs are nourishing to the entire endocrine system. Adaptogens increase resistance to mind-body stress , enhance overall vitality and health. Plants recognized as adaptogens help to normalize the bodies functions even during diseased states, are non-toxic, nutritive, and have been deemed safe for long term use.

The following herbs and supplements may help to support proper endocrine function…
Adaptogen herbs that support endocrine system function:
-Maca Lepidium meyenii
-Ashwaganda Withania somnifera
-Schizandra Schizandra chinensis
-Holy Basil/Tulsi Ocimum sanctum
-Licorice Glycyrrhiza spp.
-American Ginseng Panax quinquefolius
-Eleuthero, formerly known as Siberian Ginseng Eleutherococcus senticosus
-Gotu Kola Centella asiatica

Other Important Supplements for Overall Endocrine Function
-Whole food multivitamin
-Royal Jelly
-Reishi mushroom Ganoderma lucidum
-Shitaki mushroom Lentinula edodes

The above list is an excerpt from an article about endocrine system function and it’s role in fertility. You can read it here, it may help you to understand what may be going on, Endocrinology and Fertility: The Endocrine System is Vital for Reproductive Health

I also think you will find that learning how birth control methods, that contain synthetic hormones can affect your fertility, is important. We have a great article to help you recover from long-term birth control use at this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/birth-control-fertility.html

Best Wishes,

Dalene

By: Brittney Klein

Brittney Klein — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:20:06 +0000

Hello there!
I have somewhat of a mysterious case. Different from most of the other cases I have read so far on this site..desperately seeking answers or a way to help with what I’m dealing with. I am a 23yo female who does not get regular cycles, lucky to get them maybe 3 times a year. First period was at the age of 17 (2005)…that’s pretty late. I went on oral contraceptives(OTC) to help clear up some acne at that time but only stayed on it for a month due to extreme water weight gain. Joined the service a few months later, was again put on oral contraceptives(OTC yet again) in April of 2007, switched to Yaz two months later and stayed on that until September of 2007 which was when I was taken off of it and got Mirena instead. This is where disastrous things happened, though doctors say Mirena had nothing to do with it. I don’t believe that for one second. By the very next month my hair started thinning, and by Christmas, which was only 4 months later, I had lost a good 50% of my hair. Just a general thinning all over, primarily at the crown. I had just turned 20 at this point, WAY too young to have that happen! There was nothing in my life that I had done differently except for that IUD. It also stopped periods completely. Zip zero zilch. Emotions were like a roller coaster, fine one minute and then feeling like I was LITERALLY losing my mind, as in needed to see a doctor. Now, I am quite honestly one of the happiest people I know, these emotions were completely out of the ordinary and I knew something wasn’t right. I came across several thousand different posts about the effects of Mirena and in June of 2010 I had it taken out. I swore to never take hormones after that. I waited to see a change, and while I became the happy go lucky person I once was, my body, even to this day, doesn’t seem to have recovered. No hair growth, no periods. So 2.5 months ago, this past November, I was put on Yaz again to see if it would help with the situation. I have been working with dermatologists, gynecologists, and endocrinologists ever since then as well and they are trying to figure out this mystery but are not having much luck. Physically, everything is fine. Ultrasound showed that everything was as it should be. So then we moved onto bloodwork. Testosterone was normal, as well as Prolactin and TSH levels. Estrogen was low. So they moved on to find that my LH and FSH levels are extremely low, basically nonexistent. LH was <0.1 and FSH was at 0.4. With that information, if my hypothalamus/pituitary glads are not functioning properly and therefore leading to no estrogen production which therefore leads to no periods…what to do? I have recently been reading up on raw food diets and the dangers of using any product other that what nature has to offer..I do not want to stay on Yaz if I don't have to. The only benefit I am getting from it is monthly cycles. It has not helped with the hair situation whatsoever, and I just read that taking oral contraceptives for a hormone problem could cause problems in other areas. I am honestly as lost as I think I ever could be. The endocrinologist has an MRI ordered for the first of February to make sure there is no blockage of the pituitary; he doubts that there will be because they are quite rare. But if that holds to be true, that there is no blockage, then that only leads to more of a mystery as to why my body is not functioning the way it should be! Any help or input I would be forever grateful for!!

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:30:59 +0000

Hi Hope,

Vitex is an herb that required consistency of use and patience. Vitex is best taken for 6-12 months consistently. We do NOT suggest it be taken with medications for fertility, including ones for hyperprolactinemia. Because I am not sure how long you have been taking Vitex, I cannot say for sure what may be going on, or which direction you may want to go from here. A lot of information regarding your situation is lacking for me to answer properly. Have you considered our consultations, if not, learn about them here: http://natural-fertility-info.com/natural-fertility-email-consultations

Best Wishes,

Dalene

By: Hope

Hope — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:30:17 +0000

Hello Dalene

I’m 37, and TTC for more than 1 year. We are hoping to get pregnant as natural as possible, but nothing happened yet. I just took blood test on day 3 last week, and the result came back with high Prolactin (34.1), other levels were normal (TSH=0.9, FSH=6.9, LH=4.4, and Estradiol=111.) Also, Dr. told me that the result of ultra sound was good.

As you recommended, I started to take Vitex and hope to get lower the level. My periods cycle is 27~31 days, but my basal temp goes up very slowly after ovulation, and also short high Temp. phase.

I’m starting acupuncture, also doing hot yoga once a week.

I would like to ask you if there are something I can do more, and also if I should stop the Vitex when my Dr. prescribes medication for hyperprolactinemia on the next appointment in March 2012? (I’m not sure if my Dr. suggest me to take meds at this point.)

Thanks

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:29:37 +0000

Hi Akshay kumar, Diet changes have the greatest impact on sperm health and count. These articles below provide supportive tips on diet changes with specific vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, herbs and foods to avoid, implementing positive lifestyle changes, as well as suggestions for making a month-by-month plan. We greatly encourage you to check out these amazing tips… The Male Fertility Diet Increasing Low Sperm Count and Improving Male Fertility… Products to Support Male Fertility Fertility Superfoods Best Wishes, Dalene

By: akshay kumar

akshay kumar — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:45:31 +0000

Hi i am akshay( Male ), i am suffering witha big problem. my fsh hormone has incresed it is showing on now 22.12 . is it possible to decerese it or.balance on level. because of this my sperm is not being procduce. please help me. and how to do…….please…
thanks
akshay kumar

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:48:31 +0000

Hi Karen,

I think the suggestions your consultant gave you are great! We don’t suggest ever using DHEA without being under supervised care of your health care practitioner, so they can monitor your progress and hormone levels!

Best Wishes Karen!

Dalene

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:56:29 +0000

Hi Dalene

I got a second opinion and was told that I need IVF with aggressive superovulation, to maximise my chances of conceiving and that it would help to make the most of my remaining eggs.

The consultant also recommended I try the following to improve my ovarian reserve.

1. Yoga
2. Acupuncture
3. DHEA, 25mg thrice a day.
4. Take wheat germ daily
5. CoQ 10,100 mg daily
6. Vit D3 ( Calcirol), 50000 IU, once a week for 8 weeks

I cannot afford to have IVF and where I live it’s a postcode lottery so I cannot get it free either but I read somewhere online today about the effects of DHEA in regards to POF and the success rate is very good.

I’m seriously thinking about trying acupuncture and purchasing DHEA from abroad without my doctors consent as I don’t think it’s available in the UK.

I don’t have much to lose really do I?!

Karen xxx

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:29:18 +0000

Hi Dalene

I only just read your reply to my previous post in June.
I don’t understand why I have POF when I have regular 28 day cycles. I have no symptoms of starting the menopause yet other than a letter from the fertility clinic where I was tested stating what I wrote in my previous post.

I miscarried in 2006 and I also miscarried in August this year. I’m not undergoing any treatment or anything. I still try the natural method and I know I’m capable of conceiving because my last miscarriage proved that.

I met with a psychic clairvoyant who was 100% accurate with the reading I had with her. She gave me names of relatives that had passed over and things that nobody could have possible known about me and she told me that I would fall pregnant and I did but lost it shortly after but she sees me conceiving again in November and I’m remaining positive about that.

I know I’ll get the baby I so desperately want soon.

Sending baby dust to you all.

Keep the faith.

Karen xxx

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:15:56 +0000

Hi Kate, It could be that your body fat is a bit too low. You are borderline low. Having a BMI less than 19 is a signal that you are underweight. There is only one thing you can do to increase your BMI, eat more food. By focusing on eating fertility diet that is geared for healthy weight gain, you will be well on your way. Even increasing it some may greatly help your body to regulate the menstrual cycle once again. Due to a lack of other information about your health it is difficult for me to say what may be going on. If you are desiring more information you may want to consider a detailed consultation. Best Wishes, Dalene

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:34:08 +0000

Hello. I have been off the pill since Dec last year and still haven’t had a period. My fsh is 3.3, my lh is 0.8, my oestradiol is less than 55 and my prolactin is 59. I have been told that although stress can effect your hormones, they would expect to see high prolactin levels rather than low? Do you have any suggestions as to what this could indicate or what could be causing my low levels?

(I am 31 and have a bmi of around 18 18.5)

Kind regards
Kate

By: Dalene Barton, CH, Doula

Dalene Barton, CH, Doula — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:46:07 +0000

Hi Cassie,

I am sorry to hear of your struggles! For menstruating women, the normal FSH levels during the follicular or luteal phase should range between 5 and 20 IU/L (international units per liter.) Right before ovulation during the mid-cycle peak, FSH levels should be between 30 and 50 IU/L. So no, your FSH level does not seem high. Because I am not a medical doctor, nor is anyone else that works here at NFI, I do not know if gonadtropins will be helpful for you. That would be a good question for your doctor.

It is very common to have cramping during ovulation, especially on the side of the body where the egg was released from the ovary. This is called mittleschmerz.

Best Wishes on your upcoming IUI!

Dalene