QuestionI have been on Gonal-F this cycle for 14 days now. I started at 75 and I am up too 150. The doc was taking it slow because of hyperstimulation last cycle. My E2 levels are only at 241 today. Yesterday I had u/s and 1 follicle at 18, 1 at 17, 3 at 14, and 1 at 13. This level seems too low for follicles like that. Last cycle my follicles were around the same size and levels soared at over 1,000. Has anyone had low E2 levels like this or can explain to me why it would be so low with maturing follicles? Especially after taking the meds for 2 weeks!
AnswerHello Kristin from the U.S.,
With IVF the rule of thumb is that each mature follicle will produce 150-200 estradiol. Your level is certainly low for the number of follicles that you have and probably indicates that the follicles are not mature enough yet. You have to wait for them to grow a little more for the estradiol levels to increase. Otherwise, you will retrieve with only a few mature eggs and the rest will be immature.
Sorry for the delay in my response. I have been away on an emergency and did not have internet access.
Good Luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf
