Elevated FSH Levels (2)

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Here we present 2 case studies of elevated FSH levels (poor egg quality) in both a young (28 yrs) and an older (38 yrs) female, of different holistic aetiologies:

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Case Study 1:

Mrs FK, aged 26 years

Medical History

History of primary infertility for 5 years, Had 5 x unsuccessful AI within 7 months

Diagnosis/Prognosis by specialist:

Resistant ovaries, difficult to stimulate as she only produce 1-2 eggs

Referred to our clinic by her fertility specialist for a holistic assessment and treatment

Holistic Assessment:

High FSH (11.8) with low Estradiol (<75), normal LH levels on D3:

emotionally very anxious and time-urgency type personality

cold extremities and pelvic region

shift work- for past 5 years, alternating every 2nd day

irregular short cycles, with deficient luteal phase

Low salivary pH i.e high acidity levels

severe low back pains esp in region L3-L4-L5

Holistic Dx: kidney mer imbalance i.e anxiety/stress related hormonal imbalance

Husband: normal sperm parameters

Discussion

Although initially diagnosed by her specialist as suffering from "unexplained infertility", she was then said to have resistant ovaries after the 5 x AI attempts.

Our evaluation revealed a raised FSH and very low estradiol levels in this 26 year old female, which is normally unusual. This leads to thin womb lining and poor egg quality. Together with her poor pelvic circulation, high acidity levels and back problems in lumbar region, fertilization and implantation will be severely hampered.

NB: cold hands and feet are common findings in women diagnosed with "unexplained infertility"

Within 6 months, her FSH levels normalised to 8.1, estradiol was 106, with a D21 progesterone of 36.6-all within normal levels. Her circulation was good-always had warm hands and feet. Her cycle were normal 27/28 day cycle from cycle 3.

She returned to her FS to undergo IVF/combined with scheduled treatments at our practice.  This time she produced 7 eggs, of which 5 fertilised, producing 4 x 8 cell and 1 x 6 cell embryos.

2 x 8 cell and 1x 6 cell were implanted- She became pregnant with twins!!

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Case Study 2: (see pic 5)

Mrs NS, aged 38 years

Medical/Gynaecological History

History of primary infertility for 8 years, Had 2 x unsuccessful IVF's, 1 x IVF-ICSI, 1x IVF-GIFT and 9 x AI's

Presence of fibroid, stage 1 endometriosis

Diagnosis/Prognosis by specialist: Diminished ovarian reserve i.e high FSH and low AMH

Her fertility specialist provided a comprehensive medical report outlining her fertility problems and that natural conception was unlikely

Holistic Assessment:

High FSH (17.8), low AMH (0.37), high Prolactin (30.5) with low Estradiol (94) on D3; normal ovulation (Prog=39.1)

Time-urgency type personality and have highly responsible job description resulting in severe stress

cold extremities and pelvic region

regular 26/27 day cycles

Holistic Dx: kidney & liver mer imbalance

Husband: male factor (low morphology 4%)

Discussion:

This couple presented a very challenging combination of both female & male factors, which under medical criteria, required the highest level of fertility interventions viz IVF & IVF-ICSI. Mrs NS had endometriosis, poor egg quality & ovarian reserve and was on the wrong side of 35 years, while her husband had low morphology. Statistically, the couple had only about 1% chance of conceiving, which was proven by her combined total of 13 x ART cycle failures. Medically, the couple was advised to either use donor eggs with ICSI, or consider adoption, as success is almost unlikely with further IVF treatment, using her own eggs.

In this case study, the female patient had to be de-stressed first, followed by a liver & kidney detox for 10 days before hormonal problems were addressed. Her husband was put on supplements and change of diet to improve his sperm parameters.

Outcome:

After 6 months, both wife and husbands reproduction functions were normal. They were advised to try naturally on their own without any further treatment. 

Five months later, the couple was pregnant, this despite being told that pregnancy would be unlikely. A healthy baby boy was born on 23 April 2012.

Kindly note that this couple was on our Package B (out of town package) and hence they were not treated as regularly as our Package A patients. This was one reason why the couple took a little longer than our average time to conception.

                 Laurus Naturale`...............  for a happy ending!!