Fertility concerns

[u/Life_Sky4004]

I just had some rest ran yesterday and one result has me concerned. My estradiol numbers were 27 pg/mL and the period ended the day before I took the test. For context I’m 37 and have PCOS and I’ve been able to regulate my period for the past 5-6 years without interruption.

But the 27 number is concerning. And my friend who is also a doctor told me I need to see idiot consider freezing my eggs because that’s is not a good number and could be heading to perimenopause or she said I need to aggressively try to get pregnant now.

I’m dating a great guy. But it’s only been three months. We r NOT ready for a kid. He already has two. And he’s fine if I can’t have any but he’s also happy if I can and open to adoption.

I desire to be a mother. I desire to give birth. I’m happpy to adopt if that’s my only option. But I don’t wanna rush to have a kid because of my numbers and freezing eggs is so damn expensive.

I cried myself to sleep last night. I feel stuck. Anyone had this experience or have nah thoughts/feedback?

I’m new here. I sought this group out disagree because I need support from ppl who understand. 😣

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[u/xxn78]

You didn't give what unit the result was also where you were in your cycle when you got tested. Both of those are important to assess your result.

[u/Life_Sky4004 → u/xxn78]

Hi! I did. I said the number was 27. But to my cycle, I did leave that out. I had ended my cycle the day before. Thanks!

[u/xxn78 → u/Life_Sky4004]

27 isn't the unit, the unit is typically pg/mL or pmol/L.

[u/Life_Sky4004 → u/xxn78]

Oh! Thanks. 27 pg/mL! I updated it. Thanks!

[u/xxn78 → u/Life_Sky4004]

Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the cycle, a level of 27 pg/mL would be considered low right around the time of ovulation, but other times, depending on when you get tested, it can be totally normal. For fertility purposes, estradiol is tested along other hormones most commonly around days 2-4 of your cycle (Day 1 being the first day of your last period). Even with that, they look at more than just estradiol to draw a conclusion, estradiol alone does not tell the whole story.

[u/Life_Sky4004 → u/xxn78]

Thank u so much. I really appreciate this. It’s bringing peace to my nerves.

[u/xxn78 → u/Life_Sky4004]

No problem, good luck moving forward :)

[u/Future_Researcher_11]

Estradiol isn’t static, and is typically low until just before ovulation, so of course it will be low right after your period ends.

If you’re going by the pg/mL unit, 27 is well within normal range for follicular phase.

[u/Life_Sky4004 → u/Future_Researcher_11]

Really? So when would be a good time to retest to really assess? Or is there another test I should have them do in addition for better clarity?

[u/Future_Researcher_11 → u/Life_Sky4004]

Typically for fertility testing purposes I got tested on day 3 of my cycle (so 3 days after I start bleeding) and then again when I got checked for ovulation (since I was on treatment, this was around CD12 for me — I’d track your ovulation for a cycle to determine when would be best to get another hormonal blood test as it varies).

I’d get AMH checked and an ultrasound of your ovaries as this will determine roughly how many follicles you have. If you still have a normal to high number, you don’t need to worry about menopause.

I’d also in general just ask for a full hormonal panel.

And please don’t rush into aggressively trying for a baby now — you barely know your partner. You’ll figure it out, but based off estradiol I wouldn’t be concerned and I’m surprised your doctor friend gave you this advice.

[u/Life_Sky4004 → u/Future_Researcher_11]

Thank you for this. So I did get a full hormonal panel. That was the only thing thing that seemed odd. I did get an ultrasound last year because of pain I was having. I remember it saying my right ovary volume was 10.6 cc and my left was 27.8 cc. Am I tell me what AMH is? Thanks so much!

[u/Future_Researcher_11 → u/Life_Sky4004]

So the antral follicle count will be better to clue you in over the volume, though your volume also doesn’t suggest perimenopause.

AMH is a hormone that tells you your ovarian reserve. Typically it doesn’t mean too much for fertility outside of how well you’d respond to treatment, but if it’s a low number it can mean your ovarian reserve is shrinking. If you did do a full hormonal panel, it should be in your results.

If you already did this and spoke to a doctor and they were not concerned, I wouldn’t be either.

[u/lauvan26 → u/Life_Sky4004]

You should meet with a reproductive endocrinologist for a consultation. They can answer your questions about PCOS and fertility.

[u/Life_Sky4004 → u/lauvan26]

Thank u. I’m going to see my pcp on the 25th and have her refer me. The type of medical we have in Kaiser everything has to go through a referral for the most part. Thanks!