Ask Our Doctors – Archive

Our Medical Directors are outstanding physicians that you will find to be very personable and compassionate, who take care to ensure that you have the most cutting-edge fertility treatments at your disposal. This is your outlet to ask your questions to the doctors.

19,771 Comments

  1. Post

    Dear Dr. Sher,

    I am a 36 year-old Robertsonian translocation carrier (14;21) with an AMH of 2.04 ng/ml. There are no issues on my husband’s side.

    I recently underwent a short protocol which did not end well. I was given Gonal-F 350ui and Fertistart 150ui daily as well as Orgalutran starting on Day 7. There were about 17 follicles between 14 and 21 mm on the day of the trigger. The trigger shot was with Decapeptyl, however, there were no signs of ovulation and the doctors punctured 12 empty follicles. I was given Ovitrelle a few hours later. This worked and they retrieved 14 eggs (10 mature), but only 2 fertilized normally and none made it to day 5.

    I had two long protocols earlier this year. For the first, I used a Decapeptyl blocking injection and Menopour 300ui for stimulation. This resulted in 10 eggs retrieved, a miscarriage after a 3 day transfer due to Trisomy 21 and a failed 5 day FET. After this, I learned I had the translocation. The second long protocol also used Decapeptyl for blocking, and Rekovelle 12ui and Human Growth Hormone 0.2mg for daily stimulation. A total of 11 eggs were retrieved, 5 fertilized normally and resulted in one 5 day embryo (NGS tested waiting to be transferred).

    Do you think I should stick to long protocols for future IVFs?

    Thank you,

    Ana

    • Respectfully, there are a number of aspects of your protocols that I take issue with. See beloW:

      The importance of the IVF stimulation protocol on egg/embryo quality cannot be overstated. This factor seems often to be overlooked or discounted by t IVF practitioners who use a “one-size-fits-all” approach to ovarian stimulation. My experience is that the use of individualized/customized COS protocols can greatly improve IVF outcome. While no one can influence underlying genetics or turn back the clock on a woman’s age, any competent IVF specialist should be able to tailor the protocol for COS to meet the individual needs of the patient.
      Gonadotropins (LH and FSH), whether produced by the pituitary gland or administered by way of fertility drugs, have different “targeted” sites of action in the ovary. FSH targets cells that line the inner wall of the follicle (granulosa cells) and also form the cumulus cells that bind the egg to the inner surface of the follicle. Granulosa cells are responsible for estrogen production.
      LH, on the other hand, targets the ovarian connective tissue (stroma/theca) that surrounds ovarian follicles resulting in the production of male hormones such as testosterone (predominantly), androstenedione and DHEA. These androgens are then transported to the granulosa cells of the adjacent follicles in a “bucket brigade fashion”. There FSH converts testosterone to estradiol, causing granulosa cells to multiply (proliferate) and produce estradiol, follicles to grows and eggs to develop (ovogenesis) It follows that ovarian androgens (mainly testosterone) is absolutely indispensable to follicle/ egg growth and development.
      However, the emphasis is on a “normal” amount of testosterone. Over-exposure of the follicle to testosterone can in my opinion, compromise egg development and lead to an increased likelihood of chromosomal irregularities (aneuploid) following LH/hCG-induced egg maturational division (meiosis) and compromise embryo “competency/quality.
      Ovarian androgens can also reach the uterine lining where they sometimes will compromise estrogen receptor -induced endometrial growth and development.
      A significant percentage of older women and those who have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) have increased LH activity is increased. Such women either over-produce LH and/or the LH produced is far more biologically active. Chronically increased LH activity leads to overgrowth of ovarian connective tissue (stroma/theca). This condition, which is often referred to as Stromal Hyperplasia or hyperthecosis can result in excessive ovarian androgen/testosterone production and poorer egg-embryo quality/competency, Similarly, women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also characteristically have Stromal hyperplasia/hyperthecosis due to chronically increased LH activity. Thus they too often manifest with increased ovarian androgen production. It is therefore not surprising that “poor egg/embryo quality” is often also a feature of PCOS.
      In my opinion, the over-administration of LH-containing menotropins such as Menopur, [which is comprised of roughly equal amount of FSH and hCG ,which acts similar to LH)], to older women, women with DOR and those who have PCOS can also lead to reduced egg/embryo competency . Similarly, drugs such as clomiphene or Letrozole that cause the pituitary gland to release excessive amounts of LH, are also potentially harmful to egg development and in my opinion, are best omitted from IVF COS protocols. This is especially the case when it comes to older women and those with DOR, who in my opinion should preferably be stimulated using FSH-dominant products such as Follistim, Puregon, Fostimon and Gonal-F.
      Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa): GnRHa such as Lupron, Buserelin, Superfact, Gonopeptyl etc. are often used to launch ovarian stimulation cycles. They act by causing an initial outpouring followed by a depletion of pituitary gonadotropins. This results in LH levels falling to low concentrations, within 4-7 days, thereby establishing a relatively “LH-free environment”. When GnRHa are administered for about 7 days prior to initiating gonadotropin stimulation (“long” pituitary down-regulation”), the LH depletion that will exist when COS is initiated, will usually be protective of subsequent egg development. In contrast, when the GnRHa administration commences along with the initiation of gonadotropin therapy, there will be a resultant immediate surge in the release of pituitary LH with the potential to increase ovarian testosterone to egg-compromising levels , from the outset of COS. This, in my opinion could be particularly harmful when undertaken in older women and those who have DOR.
      GnRH-antagonists such as Ganirelix, Cetrotide and Orgalutron, on the other hand, act very rapidly (within hours) to block pituitary LH release. The purpose in using GnRH antagonists is to prevent the release of LH during COS. In contrast, the LH-lowering effect of GnRH agonists develops over a number of days.
      GnRH antagonists are traditionally given, starting after 5th -7th day of gonadotropin stimulation. However, when this is done in older women and those (regardless of age) who have DOR, LH-suppression might be reached too late to prevent the deleterious effect of excessive ovarian androgen production on egg development in the early stage of ovarian stimulation. This is why, it is my preference to administer GnRH-antagonists, starting at the initiation of gonadotropin administration.
      My preferred Protocols for Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS):
      1.“Long” GnRHa (Lupron/Buserelin/Superfact/Gonopeptyl) Pituitary Down-regulation Protocol: The most commonly prescribed protocol for GnRHa/gonadotropin administration is the so-called “long protocol”. Here, GnRHa is given, starting a week or so prior to menstruation. This results in an initial rise in FSH and LH , which is rapidly followed by a precipitous fall to near zero. It is followed by a withdrawal bleed (menstruation), whereupon gonadotropin treatment should commence, while daily Lupron injections continue, to ensure a “low LH” environment. A modification to the “long protocol” which I prefer prescribing for older women and in cases of DOR, is the Agonist/Antagonist Conversion Protocol (A/ACP) where, upon the onset of a GnRHa-induced bleed, the agonist is supplanted by an antagonist (Ganirelix/Cetrotide/Orgalutron) and this is continued until the hCG trigger. In many such cases I often supplement with human growth hormone (HGH) in such cases in an attempt to enhance egg mitochondrial activity and so enhance egg development. This approach is often augmented with preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) of all embryos that reach the expanded blastocyst stage of development by day 5-6 post-fertilization. I also commonly recommend blastocyst banking to many such patients.
      2.Short (“Flare”) GnRHa Protocol: Another GnRHa usage for COS is the so called “(micro) flare protocol”. This involves initiating gonadotropin therapy commensurate with initiation of gonadotropin administration. The supposed objective is to deliberately allow Lupron to elicit an initial surge (“flare”) in pituitary FSH release in order to augment FSH administration by increased FSH production. Unfortunately, this “spring board effect” constitutes “a double-edged sword”. While it indeed increases the release of FSH, it at the same time causes a surge in LH release. The latter can evoke excessive ovarian stromal/thecal androgen production which could potentially compromise egg quality, especially when it comes to older women and women with DOR. I am of the opinion that by evoking an exaggerated ovarian androgen response, such “(micro) flare protocols” can harm egg/embryo quality and reduce IVF success rates, especially when it comes to COS in older women, and in women with diminished ovarian reserve. Accordingly, I do not prescribe such protocols to my IVF patients.
      3.Estrogen Priming – This is the approach I sometimes prescribe for my patients who have virtually depleted ovarian reserve , as determined by very low blood anti-Mullerian hormone AMH levels (<0.2ng/ml or 2 pmol/L) and are thus likely to be very “poor responders”. It involves a modified A/ACP. We start with estrogen skin patches applied every 2nd day (or with the BCP) for 10 days or longer, overlap it for 3 days with a GnRHa whereupon the estrogen priming is stopped. Th GnRHa is continued until the onset of menstruation (usually 5-7 days later) to cause pituitary LH, down-regulation. Upon menstruation and confirmation by ultrasound and measurement of blood estradiol levels that adequate ovarian suppression has been achieved, The patient is given twice-weekly injections of estradiol valerate (Delestrogen) for a period of 7-8 days whereupon COS is initiated using a relatively high dosage FSH-(Follistim, Fostimon, Puregon or Gonal F), which is continued along with daily administration of GnRH antagonist until the “hCG “trigger.” This approach is often augmented with HGH administration throughout the process of COS and by preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) of all embryos that reach the expanded blastocyst stage of development by day 5-6 post-fertilization. I also commonly recommend blastocyst banking to many such patients.
      Estrogen Priming has succeeded in significantly enhancing ovarian response to gonadotropins in many of otherwise very poor responders.
      Triggering egg Maturation prior to egg Retrieval: hCG versus GnRHa
      With ovulation induction using fertility drugs, the administration of 10,000U hCGu (Pregnyl; Profasi, Novarel) or 500mcg hCGr (Ovidrel/Ovitrel) “trigger”) sends the eggs (into maturational division (meiosis). This process is designed to halve the chromosome number, resulting in mature eggs (M2) that will have 23 chromosomes rather that the 46 chromosomes they had prior to the “trigger”. Such a chromosomally numerically normal (euploid), mature (MII) eggs, upon being fertilized will (hopefully) propagate euploid embryos that have 46 chromosomes and will be “: competent” to propagate viable pregnancies. In my opinion, the key is to always “trigger” with no less than 10,000U of hCGu or 500mcg hCGr (Ovidrel/Ovitrel). Any lesser dosage often will reduce the efficiency of meiosis and increase the risk of the eggs being aneuploid. I personally do not use the agonist (Lupron) “trigger”, unless it is combined with (low dosage) hCG. The supposed reason for using the agonist, (Lupron) “trigger” is that by inducing meiosis through compelling a surge in the release of LH by the pituitary gland, the risk it reduces the risk of OHSS. This may be true, but it comes at the expense of egg quality because the extent of the induced LH surge varies and if too little LH is released, meiosis can be compromised, thereby increasing the likelihood of aneuploid and immature (MI) eggs. And there are other better approaches to preventing OHSS (e.g. “prolonged coasting”), in my opinion.
      Use of the Birth Control Pill (BCP) to launch IVF-COS.
      In natural (unstimulated) as well as in cycles stimulated with fertility drugs, the ability of follicles to properly respond to FSH stimulation is dependent on their having developed FSH-responsive receptors. Pre-antral follicles (PAF) do not have such primed FSH receptors and thus cannot respond properly to FSH stimulation with gonadotropins. The acquisition of FSH receptor responsivity requires that the pre-antral follicles be exposed to FSH, for a number of days (5-7) during which time they attain “FSH-responsivity” and are now known as antral follicles (AF). These AF’s are now able to respond properly to stimulation with administered FSH-gonadotropins. In regular menstrual cycles, the rising FSH output from the pituitary gland insures that PAFs convert tor AF’s. The BCP (as well as prolonged administration of estrogen/progesterone) suppresses FSH. This suppression needs to be countered by artificially causing blood FSH levels to rise in order to cause PAF to AF conversion prior to COS commencing, otherwise pre-antral-to –antral follicle conversion will not take place in an orderly fashion, the duration of ovarian stimulation will be prolonged and both follicle and egg development may be compromised. GnRH agonists cause an immediate surge in release of FSH by the pituitary gland thus causing conversion from PAF to SAF. This is why women who take a BCP to launch a cycle of COS need to have an overlap of the BCP with an agonist. By overlapping the BCP with an agonist for a few days prior to menstruation the early recruited follicles are able to complete their developmental drive to the AF stage and as such, be ready to respond appropriately to optimal ovarian stimulation. Using this approach, the timing of the initiation of the IVF treatment cycle can readily and safely be regulated and controlled by varying the length of time that the woman is on the BCP.
      Since optimizing follicular response to COS requires that prior to stimulation with gonadotropins, FSH-induced conversion from PAF to AF’s first be completed and the BCP suppresses FSH, it follows when it comes to women launching COS coming off a BCP something needs to be done to cause a rise in FSH for 5-7 days prior to menstruation heralding the cycle of CO S. This is where overlapping the BCP with a GnRHa comes in. The agonist causes FSH to be released by the pituitary gland and if overlapped with the BCP for several days and this will (within 2-5 days) facilitate PAF to AF conversion…. in time to start COS with the onset of menstruation. Initiating ovarian stimulation in women taking a BCP, without doing this is suboptimal.
      I strongly recommend that you visit www.SherIVF.com. Then go to my Blog and access the “search bar”. Type in the titles of any/all of the articles listed below, one by one. “Click” and you will immediately be taken to those you select. Please also take the time to post any questions or comments with the full expectation that I will (as always) respond promptly.
      •The IVF Journey: The importance of “Planning the Trip” Before Taking the Ride”
      •Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) for IVF: Selecting the ideal protocol
      •The Fundamental Requirements For Achieving Optimal IVF Success
      •Use of GnRH Antagonists (Ganirelix/Cetrotide/Orgalutron) in IVF-Ovarian Stimulation Protocols.
      •Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Measurement to Assess Ovarian Reserve and Design the Optimal Protocol for Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) in IVF.
      •The “Biological Clock” and how it should Influence the Selection and Design of Ovarian Stimulation Protocols for IVF.
      • A Rational Basis for selecting Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) protocols in women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
      •Diagnosing and Treating Infertility due to Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)
      •Ovarian Stimulation in Women Who have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR): Introducing the Agonist/Antagonist Conversion protocol
      •Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) in Older women and Women who have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR): A Rational Basis for Selecting a Stimulation Protocol
      •Optimizing Response to Ovarian Stimulation in Women with Compromised Ovarian Response to Ovarian Stimulation: A Personal Approach.
      •Egg Maturation in IVF: How Egg “Immaturity”, “Post-maturity” and “Dysmaturity” Influence IVF Outcome:
      •Commonly Asked Question in IVF: “Why Did so Few of my Eggs Fertilize and, so Many Fail to Reach Blastocyst?”
      •Human Growth Hormone Administration in IVF: Does it Enhances Egg/Embryo Quality and Outcome?
      •The BCP: Does Launching a Cycle of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS). Coming off the BCP Compromise Response?
      •Staggered IVF
      •Staggered IVF with PGS- Selection of “Competent” Embryos Greatly Enhances the Utility & Efficiency of IVF.
      •Staggered IVF: An Excellent Option When. Advancing Age and Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) Reduces IVF Success Rate
      •Embryo Banking/Stockpiling: Slows the “Biological Clock” and offers a Selective Alternative to IVF-Egg Donation
      •Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGS) in IVF: It should be Used Selectively and NOT be Routine.
      •IVF: Selecting the Best Quality Embryos to Transfer
      •Preimplantation Genetic Sampling (PGS) Using: Next Generation Gene Sequencing (NGS): Method of Choice.
      •PGS in IVF: Are Some Chromosomally abnormal Embryos Capable of Resulting in Normal Babies and Being Wrongly Discarded?
      •PGS and Assessment of Egg/Embryo “competency”: How Method, Timing and Methodology Could Affect Reliability
      •IVF outcome: How Does Advancing Age and Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) Affect Egg/Embryo “Competency” and How Should the Problem be addressed.

      ______________________________________________________
      ADDENDUM: PLEASE READ!!
      INTRODUCING SHER FERTILITY SOLUTIONS (SFS)
      Founded in April 2019, Sher Fertility Solutions (SFS) offers online (Skype/FaceTime) consultations to patients from > 40 different countries. All consultations are followed by a detailed written report presenting my personal recommendations for treatment of what often constitute complex Reproductive Issues.

      If you wish to schedule an online consultation with me, please contact my assistant (Patti Converse) by phone (800-780-7437/702-533-2691), email (concierge@SherIVF.com) or, enroll online on then home-page of my website (www.SherIVF.com).

      PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT SFS!

      Geoff Sher

  2. Day 26 of my cycle I had a positive urine test. The threshold for the clear blue test was 25. Today is day 30 and my bhcg was only 40. Is it likely the hcg has dropped and is on its way down from a biochemical pregnancy?

    • It is very possible that this is ma failing pregnancy!

      Sorry!

      Geoff Sher

  3. What’s the age limit to do an IVF treatment with egg donors?

    • There is no mandated limit.

      WE should talk. Call my assistant, Patti Converse at 702-533-2691 and set up an online consultation with me to discuss in depth!

      Geoff Sher

  4. Hi Dr Sher, you advised that you do not rely on LAD levels. Do you check for DQalpha match? What is your treatment for partial or full matches? TIA!

    • Central to making a diagnosis of an immunologic implantation dysfunction (IID) is a need for the appropriate interpretation of Natural Killer Cell Activity (NKa). In this regard, one of the commonest and most serious errors, is interpret the blood concentration of natural killer cells as being relevant. Rather it is the activity (toxicity) of NK cells that matters as mentioned. This activity can best be measured using the blood, K-562 target cell test (the gold standard). and/ or endometrial biopsy for cytokine activity.
      With the K-562 test, the most important consideration is the percentage of target cells “killed” in the “native state”. In most cases a level of >10% killing should be regarded with suspicion and >12% overtly abnormal. In addition to reporting the result of the K-562 test, in the “native state” (without adding, Immunoglobulin-G (IVIG) or Intralipid (IL) which many Laboratories erroneously do to try and determine whether either or both of these immune therapies would have a therapeutic benefit or is/are unlikely to be of clinical value. The entire premise upon which this assertion is based, is in my opinion flawed. Clinically such NK cell deactivation can only be significantly affected in vivo as it takes more than a week following infusion to occur. Thus, what happens to the percentage of target cells killed with the K-562 test, by adding IVIG or IL is in my opinion irrelevant
      Another way to assess endometrial NKa is by measuring TH-1 and TH-2 cytokines in endometrial tissue derived through biopsy.TH-1 cytokines kill the trophoblast (the root system of the embryo). Thus if is an excess of TH-1 cytokine activity is found with/without a disruption in the TH-1: TH-2 ratio, this points to NK cell activation.
      There are basically two causes of immunologic implantation dysfunction (IID), a) Autoimmune (85%) & , b) Alloimmune (15%). The former occurs when the body reacts to its own tissue and the latter (far less common) when the male and female partners share certain genotypic similarities involving DQ alpha and HLA genes. In both cases IID results in rejection of the pregnancy due to uterine Natural Killer (NK) Cell and T-cell activation leading to the release of an excessive amount of TH-1 cytokines. These, “toxins” attack the embryo’s root system (trophoblast), killing the cells and causing implantation to fail.
      Autoimmune Implantation Dysfunction: Autoimmune implantation dysfunction, most commonly presents with presumed “infertility” due to such early pregnancy losses that the woman did not even know she was pregnant in the first place. Sometimes there as an early miscarriage. Tests required are: a) blood levels of all IgA, IgG and IgM-related antiphospholipid antibodies (APA’s) directed against six or seven specific phospholipids, b) both antithyroid antibodies (antithyroid and antimicrosomal antibodies), c) a comprehensive reproductive immunophenotype (RIP) and, c) most importantly, assessment of Natural Killer (NK) cell activity (rather than concentration) by measuring by their killing, using the K-562 target cell test and/or endometrial cytokine activity tests.
      It is important to recognize that currently there are only about 3 or 4 Reproductive Immunology Reference Laboratories in the U.S.A that, are capable of reliably analyzing the required elements with a sufficient degree of sensitivity and specificity. I use a Reprosource, a laboratory located in Boston,MA.
      Patients with Alloimmune implantation Dysfunction usually present with a history of unexplained (usually repeated) miscarriages or secondary infertility (where the woman conceived initially and thereupon was either unable to conceive again or started having repeated early miscarriages. However, it can also present as “presumed” primary infertility. Alloimmune dysfunction is diagnosed by testing the blood of both the male and female partners for matching DQ alpha genes and NK/CTL activation. It is important to note that any DQ alpha match (partial or complete) will only result in an IID when there both a DQa/HLA match exists along with NK cell activation. With the exception of cases where both partners have a total (absolute DQa match and treatment requires the use of sperm from a non-matching sperm donor, about 90% of cases alloimmune implantation will have a partial match where 1: 2 embryos will match the woman’s DQa genotype and half will not. In cases of an alloimmune dysfunction (with associated NKa), treatment with IL or IVIG will in my opinion, will not protect against a matching embryo being rejected. It can only clear the NK environment for an embryo that does not match the woman’s DQa genotype. For this reason, it is my opinion that only 1 embryo should be transferred at a time because, given the fact that i:2 embryos will match, transferring >1 embryo at a time creates a risk that the matching embryo will evoke a local NKa/’cytokine response that will “muddy the water” for both. Thus, in cases of a “partial” DQa match I recommend against transferring more than a single embryo at a time.

      I strongly recommend that you visit http://www.DrGeoffreySherIVF.com. Then go to my Blog and access the “search bar”. Type in the titles of any/all of the articles listed below, one by one. “Click” and you will immediately be taken to those you select. Please also take the time to post any questions or comments with the full expectation that I will (as always) respond promptly.

      •The IVF Journey: The importance of “Planning the Trip” Before Taking the Ride”
      •Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) for IVF: Selecting the ideal protocol
      •IVF: Factors Affecting Egg/Embryo “competency” during Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS)
      •The Fundamental Requirements for Achieving Optimal IVF Success
      •Use of GnRH Antagonists (Ganirelix/Cetrotide/Orgalutron) in IVF-Ovarian Stimulation Protocols.
      •The Role of Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID): PART 1-Background
      •Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID): PART 2- Making a Diagnosis
      •Immunologic Dysfunction (IID) & Infertility (IID): PART 3-Treatment
      •Thyroid autoantibodies and Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID) Why did my IVF Fail
      •Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL): Why do I keep losing my Pregnancies
      •Genetically Testing Embryos for IVF
      •Staggered IVF
      •Staggered IVF with PGS- Selection of “Competent” Embryos Greatly Enhances the Utility & Efficiency of IVF.
      •Embryo Banking/Stockpiling: Slows the “Biological Clock” and offers a Selective Alternative to IVF-Egg Donation
      •Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGS) in IVF: It should be Used Selectively and NOT be Routine.
      •IVF: Selecting the Best Quality Embryos to Transfer
      •Preimplantation Genetic Sampling (PGS) Using: Next Generation Gene Sequencing (NGS): Method of Choice.
      •PGS in IVF: Are Some Chromosomally abnormal Embryos Capable of Resulting in Normal Babies and Being Wrongly Discarded?
      •Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction: Importance of Meticulous Evaluation and Strategic Management 🙁 Case Report)
      •Intralipid and IVIG therapy: Understanding the Basis for its use in the Treatment of Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID)
      •Intralipid (IL) Administration in IVF: It’s Composition; how it Works; Administration; Side-effects; Reactions and Precautions
      •Natural Killer Cell Activation (NKa) and Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction in IVF: The Controversy!
      •Natural Killer Cell Activation (NKa) and Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction in IVF: The Controversy!
      •Should IVF Treatment Cycles be provided uninterrupted or be Conducted in 7-12 Pre-scheduled “Batches” per Year.
      •A personalized, stepwise approach to IVF
      •Nutritional supplements in IVF
      ______________________________________________________
      ADDENDUM: PLEASE READ!!
      INTRODUCING SHER FERTILITY SOLUTIONS (SFS)
      Founded in April 2019, Sher Fertility Solutions (SFS) offers online (Skype/FaceTime) consultations to patients from > 40 different countries. All consultations are followed by a detailed written report presenting my personal recommendations for treatment of what often constitute complex Reproductive Issues.

      If you wish to schedule an online consultation with me, please contact my assistant (Patti Converse) by phone (800-780-7437/702-533-2691), email (concierge@SherIVF.com) or, enroll online on then home-page of my website (www.SherIVF.com).

      PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT SFS!

      Geoff Sher

  5. Hello Dr. Sher,

    Is there a difference between a serum HCG blood test and a regular HCG blood test? I messaged you previously but I cannot find my original message.

    I did three of the serum HCG test.
    141, 645, & 2209

    and

    two regular HCG tests
    2959
    4181

    My doctor said there is a difference and we aren’t comparing apples to apples. I wanted your opinion.

    Thank you.

    • I very respectfully disagree with your doctor!

      Geoff Sher