[Leanne78]

When i had my first MC, I convinced them to do a progesterone test when they did my last draw. My HCG was over 50,000 and my progesterone was 19, Is that low for 8 weeks along? The doc had nothing to say about it. I think this ob office is in the camp that doesn't believe low progesterone is a problem. I'm thinking of starting some pro-gest cream today just to be safe but was wondering if anyone had any input on that number?

[pepper73]

I wish I could help. I don't know what the good levels of progesterone are during the first weeks of pregnancy. It's too bad your doctor didn't go into more detail with you. I hope someone is able to give you some answers. Good luck!


ETA: I found this on a website just now:
Guideline to Progesterone levels during pregnancy:

• 1-28 ng/ml Mid Luteal Phase (Average is over 10 for un-medicated cycles and over 15 with medication use)
• 9-47 ng/ml First trimester
• 17-146 ng/ml Second Trimester
• 49-300 ng/ml Third Trimester

It seems that it is a HUGE range so unfortunately, I don't think it gives specific answers except that your levels were within that range. Here is the site where I got that info: Concerns Regarding Early Fetal Development

I hope this helps!

[melissalaw]

Have you thought about talking to another doctor. I'm not sure where progesterone is suppose to be. At 5 weeks mine was 27, so maybe 19 at 8 weeks is a bit low but looking at the numbers Sarah gave you, it is where it should be for the first trimester.

I would definitely talk to your doctor about it and if he won't give you an answer I'd find another doctor. Good Luck.

[Leanne78]

Thanks ladies. My doctor had basically just said it fell within range and that was it. If that is the range though, I guess I am confused why anyone is on progesterone? If even 1 is really ok during the L-phase then how could anyone be low? I'm hearing all over these boards about women saying their low progesterone caused their miscarriage (and not questioning that at all!), but what are they considering low? And are they being tested beforehand or during the pregnancy?

[fromustobaby]

My RE puts you on progesterone if you have a level under 10...if it is over, you are fine...19 is a pretty good number...HUGS!

[Leanne78]

Thanks Hun!

Just re-reading my post and I didn't mean it to sound like I didn't think people should be on progesterone, just that the ranges are so wide that it doesn't really make sense to me. I wish I could switch doctors because mine never has any answers or me. They actually acted like it was odd that I would want my progesterone checked at all. They are the only OB office in town though. The hospital is right next to my house and no other OB office delivers here. I'm seriously thinking about a mid-wife next time though. There is one who delivers at the hospital. I just get frustrated not getting any answers from my OB. They just stick with the "miscarriages happen" stance and getting them to run any tests is like pulling nails.

[doremi]

There is kind of some debate about the whole progesterone thing in early pregnancy... if you get tested when you have a m/c is it that you had low progesterone and therefore it caused m/c, or is it that you were destined to have a m/c, and therefore the progesterone number stayed low? Those are kind of the two sides of the coin. My doctor didn't test my progesterone, but prescribed prometrium because I was concerned that my luteal phase being short (usually 10-12 days) might be making it harder for a fertilized egg to implant properly. A short luteal phase CAN cause early miscarriage. So, I'm on progesterone to lengthen the luteal phase a bit, and to also help build up the uterine lining thicker so that I hopefully get a good implantation the next time around. Hope that helps a bit.

[.:Shortcake:.]

I would push the issue with your doctor. Some do and some don't believe progesterone has an effect on a loss.