An elevated FSH level on day 3 is an indicator of diminished ovarian reserve (likelihood that the eggs will fertilize and develop).  The degree of elevation correlates with IVF success and women with levels above 15 mIU/mL will require an egg donor.

The CCCT is another measure of ovarian reserve and provides an indication of how the patient will respond to ovulation induction with FSH in an IVF cycle. 
The CCCT is performed by measuring the day 3 FSH and estradiol levels, the patient takes 100 mg of Clomid on cycle days 5-9, and her FSH is measured again on day 10. The test is abnormal if either the day 3 or day 10 FSH values are elevated or if the day 3 estradiol is greater than 80 pg/ml.

A poor Clomid challenge test, regardless of patient age, indicates that their will be a decreased response to injectable FSH. This translates in reduced pregnancy success rates and an increased risk of miscarriage.

Patients with poor Clomid challenge test results are encouraged to consider using an egg donor.  Donor egg success rates equal the age group of the donor.  If the eggs from a 20 year old donor are placed in a woman aged 45, the success rates approximate the 20 year old groups which are among the highest.

Fertility Tests