Thank you again for opening your hearts and minds to her continued story.
 |
| Rebecca loving on Annie |
It has
been hard to not feel resentful this week.
I’m trying. I’m trying hard. On one hand, I’m frustrated at all the
doctors and experts I’ve seen for the past 6 years. On the other hand, I’m
frustrated with myself for believing them and not pursuing other answers or
methods.
I got a
call from the fertility clinic Monday afternoon. They received the results of
my progesterone draw:
Low.
Super
Low.
1.9 Low.
I know I
shouldn’t be surprised. My cycle was short this month. It’s never short. I’m
usually at 29 days on one side, and 31 days on the other. This cycle was only
27 days. That makes my mind race with all kinds of questions. At the age of 41,
on the top of that list are questions about impending menopause. They are
probably unfounded, but they kept me awake in the middle of the night Saturday,
Sunday, and Monday nights.
The
clinic asked me to come in first thing Monday morning for a resting follicle
count, a culture, and to review the results of all my blood work. I feel
fortunate enough to have a job that enables me to do what I love, but that
gives me enough autonomy to be flexible on days when I really need to be able
to “flex” my time.
I hate
morning traffic. So, an hour after I left my home on Monday morning, I arrived
in an already-frazzled state at the clinic. Resting follicle count on cycle day
4:
Right: 8
Left: 3
More
questions. Why only 3? In some ways this
is good news. 11 follicles total, without Clomid. But the uneven count between
the 2 sides worried me a bit.
After the
ultrasound and culture, we went over the results with the kindest nurse. After
battling miscarriage, after miscarriage, after miscarriage for the past 6
years, I now have a few clues.
Clue 1: I have low
progesterone (1.9) at a point in my cycle when it should be high (15 or more),
making it hard for my body to build an adequate uterine lining in which an
embryo can implant. Suggested treatment: Hcg shots & Clomid to begin next
cycle.
Clue 2: I have an inherited
gene mutation that makes it difficult for my body to metabolize folic acid. It
is estimated that half the population has this particular mutation. It is known
as MTHFR A1298C. It is important for the neural tube development of a fetus, as
well as for blood clotting. Suggested treatment: See Clue 3.
Clue 3: I have another
inherited gene mutation that has the same effects at the first gene mutation.
It is the back-up gene that, if not mutated, can make up for the A1298C
mutation. It is known as MTHFR C677T. Again,
many people have this mutation. However, being heterozygous for both is cause
for concern. Suggested treatment: a
prescription strength prenatal that contains a higher amount, and more broken
down form of, folic acid, and add foods rich in vitamin B9 to my daily intake.
Clue 4: My TSH level (3.69),
while within the designated “normal” range, is not in the optimal ttc (1-2)
range. Additionally, 4 years ago, when measured, it was only at 1.9. So,
somewhere along the line, it has crept up. Suggested treatment: Synthroid. (And
there, ladies and gentlemen, goes the tiny part of me that was proud to have
escaped the thyroid issues that plague many of my family members).
Clue 5: Blood clotting is a
possible factor. My anti-thrombin 3 panel came back deficient. Suggested
treatment: repeat test and run a few extra tests to confirm results.
The good
news is that my Vitamin D is really good (60), and well above the minimum they
like to see when ttc (30). AMH levels were also good, which tells us that my
ovaries are working fine. My autoimmune panels all came back normal.
Why the
resentment? As many who struggle with infertility know, sometimes the emotions
just don’t make sense. A part of me is screaming, “If 50% of people have these
gene mutations, WHY on Earth did not one single OB, doctor, or specialist every
suggest running a few simple blood tests that could have revealed this
information YEARS ago?! Why did they always tell me to, ‘just go home and try
again’?” Another part is screaming, “Rebecca, why did YOU not ask more
questions, seek more answers, or studied more about infertility at the start of
this journey?”
Predictably,
I am full of mixed emotions. Truly, though, I am relieved to have some answers
that go beyond a uterine anomaly that has only been detected once. I am so very
grateful for the path that led me to Dr. Albrecht, and the chance it gives us
to possibly be a family of more than 2 (okay, 4 if you count the dogs, and we
do). I am content to know that, at least for now, we have a plan.
I am well aware that my age, combined with the MTHFR mutations, puts us at
higher risk of having a child with neuro-developmental disabilities. But we are
okay with that. I am also aware that this combination may be the thing that
keeps me from having kids, despite everyone’s best efforts. I’m working towards
being okay with that.
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