Clomid Challenge Update

Hello Ladies,

Well, on Friday I went for the first part of my Clomid Challenge; that is cycle day 3 FSH/Estradiol testing. My FSH was 9.4 and Estradiol was 36. The nurse said they were "well within the normal range." When I e-mailed her and asked for the normal range, she said that FSH should be under 10 and Estradiol under 50. It seems that my doctor's office is not concerned with being close to 10 . . . the bottom line for them is that I am under 10. I've been taking 100 mg of Clomid since day 5, and tomorrow is day 8. Last day of Clomid is day 9, and then on day 10 (this coming Friday) I go back for FSH and Progesterone. I don't know what the Progesterone level should be, but FSH should still be under 10.

I'm having a hard time. From what I've read online, most labs consider FSH levels under 9 to be normal; I've also read that every lab uses their own method for testing the level, so 12 in one lab could be normal, whereas in another lab it would be concerning. My first FSH test (without Clomid) was 8.2 on day 3, and that was only a year ago. I've since gone through an IVF stim cycle where I made a gazillion eggs (32). Could that have screwed me up?

DH says I should stop skulking around online and listen to my doctor. If she thinks I'm okay, then I should calm down. I keep forgetting we're at one of the best hospitals in the country.

Thanks for letting me vent. Any helpful info from ladies who have been through this test would be greatly appreciated.

Me: 26 DH: 32
MFI: NOA due to Klinefelter's syndrome
DIUI #1: July 05 - BFN
DIUI #2: Aug 05 - chemical pregnancy
DIUI #3: Sept 05 - BFN
DIUI #4: Nov. 05 - BFN
DIVF #1: Feb 06 - transferred two perfect embies - BFN
DIUI #5 (new donor): Jan. 07 - BFP!!!

lilypie.com

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2006 05:07PM by Jennifer.

Wish I could offer some words of wisdom to put your mind at ease, but unfortunatey I don't have many. I was so naive when I was cycling, putting all my focus on DH and finding sperm with his biopsy that I really didn't pay too much attention to my own "results" and stuff. As long as they said I looked normal, I went with it. Results do differ greatly from doctor to doctor though. That is very much true! So, the best I can say is to try to relax a bit and trust that the docs know what they are saying and doing. Easier said then done, I know. But hang in there!

As for whether your past cycle could have caused any changes, I wouldn't worry too much. I cycled 3 times in total and each time my results varied a bit along the way. The last time I was even told I had some endometriosis on my right ovary at my initial scan when 3 months prior (at a different clinic) I was told I had a happy, healthy and CLEAR uterus. Never had any endo prior and nothiing has showed since then. So, who knows? Too much info can be overwhelming at times though!

Good luck.

Kristen
DH-azoospermia (NOA)
5 yr old twins from IVF/ICSI/TESE#1 in 2001 w/DH sperm
TESE/MESA attempts in 2004 failed, no more DH sperm found
Home insem with known donor sperm in 2005-BFP! 10 month old baby!

Hi Jen!

No advice for you because my FSH was always higher than they would like to see for my age. When I was 31 doing my second IVF, I think I was at 11 or so. I forget....

I know with all the info on the web, it is hard to 'listen' to your doc. But Dh is right. It is very important that you hear what they are saying and if they say you are good to go... run with it! Trust them, that is what you pay them to do. I know.... easier said than done. Good luck and let us know how things are progressing!

Nicole

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2006 02:24PM by NicoleWA.