[Belita]

So, my doctor says I have low progesterone. My 9/10 DPO blood work showed a progesterone level of 6.7. I'm glad that, if I have to have a problem, it's a problem that's easy to address.

Apparently, it's low enough that my doctor wanted my charts to see if I'm even ovulating. My temps go so high that I'm sure I'm ovulating. Actually, I was surprised I have a progesterone problem since my temps go so high! I am kind of scared to see how high they'll go once I get my progesterone supplemented! So far my doctor hasn't mentioned progesterone supplements, but I'm supposed to hear back after the doctor has had a chance to review my charts and I'll ask about them then.

I'd love to hear stories from women who have to take the supplements. What can I expect?

[SammyJ]

I don't have experience, but I just wanted to say that I am happy you were able to figure out some of what is going on to prevent a loss in the future! Hopefully this is all it takes to get you on the road to a sticky bean

[Mrs_lynn.c]

I dont know anything about it either but just wanted to say im glad you were able to get some answers.I hope this is the fix that brings you your sticky baby.Goog luck hun.

[Belita]

Thanks, ladies! I ended up posting this in the TTCMA board, too.

[L-SBB]

the good news is, it's better to catch up front and start supplementation than to not know and potentially have it cause a problem with your next pregnancy.

I would bet you're ovulating too...my RE's office considers anything over a 6 indicative of ovulation but anything under 10 a deficiency.

My natural prog level last cycle (prior to this preg & m/c) clocked in at 9.2 so they promptly started progesterone supplementation. I take 200mg Prometrium/daily starting at DPO5 and until AF starts (or continue in the event of a + hpt).

I've had some side effects from the Prometrium - vertigo when i first started taking but it went away after the first few days. I get headaches from it too and a little nausea, but overall it wasn't as bad as I feared it would be.

Hopefully catching the prog issue early will help you avoid any problems! I'm glad your OB was checking for it (a lot don't until you have several losses in a row).

[Belita]

Tell me about it! I'm so glad I chose this OB! It sounds like she's in the vast minority of OBs willing to test at this point!

Good to know about some of the side effects. I had such promising symptoms around the time of implantation that I'm wondering if I had a little bean that was trying to implant, but couldn't because of my progesterone problem not supporting my lining properly. My pregnancy was my first cycle off the pill and my spotting started when my AF would have been due if I was on the pill, so I bet my ability to get pregnant at all had something to do with my hormones from the pill.

I feel so fortunate to find this out on cycle #3!

[fromustobaby]

Do you know why they tested your progesterone at 9/10DPO?
usually they test at 7DPO, specifically because that is when (on average) progesterone is at its peak, by 9-10DPO, it might already be falling from the peak...I've had progesterone at 6 and 8 on cycles in the past, so, I hear you on low progesterone, but usually I have a 9-10 day LP, so, you are doing better than me on that one...

If your progesterone was 6 at 9/10DPO, you definitely ovulated, anything over 5 is ovulation, 10 is supposedly "good" ovulation if you are not using medication, and they want over 15 if you are on a medicated cycle - with my son, my progesterone was 10.1 (it was an unmedicated cycle after 2 medicated cycles), and I didn't have to supplement, and he turned out perfect...with the one we lost, my progesterone was 13 (but I didnt lose the baby till 9 weeks, so it wasnt because of the progesterone), and with this one, progesterone was greater than 20 (but I was on injectables which was why it was so high)...

[Cait&AngelAbove]

I am glad you are getting some answers.

[Belita]

I'm sure I ovulated, too. I have a good thermal shift, so I'm not worried about that. I am wondering if I ovulate too early in my cycle, but my doctor seems thorough so I"m sure she'll mention it if it's a problem.

I was surprised as I thought the progesterone test was supposed to be at 7 DPO, too! 10 DPO is just the day that they check it at this practice. I did some research and it says that different offices have different guidelines. I'm sure if they always test at this day they have enough data to show if the number is too low. Also, my practice likes to be overly cautious and, while a 10 day LP is considered normal, I'm guessing they like to see it longer if possible. I'm hearing so many success stories after having progesterone supplementation that I'm just feeling better and better about having a diagnosis!

[momof6lopez]

I second the 9/10dpo progesterone check as well.......with you having a 6+ number that sounds about normal for that time frame. It was most likely over 10 at your 7dpo. After 7dpo, it usually starts to drop pretty good......which is why most women have a 10-14 LP. (takes about 5 or so days for the progesterone to get low enough for your lining to shed). But taking supplements just in case is definitely worth it to me. I had a 18 on my 7dpo, but still took supplements with my last two pregnancy's just in case after having 3 m/c's in a row. I dont think low progesterone was the problem with them, but taking the pills certainly made me feel "proactive" in doing something!

Praying this does the trick for you and you get a nice sticky bean SOON!

[Lav]

Robyn, I'm so glad it's just a progesterone problem. I've not taken supplements ahead of being pregnant. All I know is the gel treatment during pregnancy, and that didn't have any side effects on me.
Good luck, sweetie!

Originally Posted by fromustobaby

Do you know why they tested your progesterone at 9/10DPO?
usually they test at 7DPO, specifically because that is when (on average) progesterone is at its peak, by 9-10DPO, it might already be falling from the peak...I've had progesterone at 6 and 8 on cycles in the past, so, I hear you on low progesterone, but usually I have a 9-10 day LP, so, you are doing better than me on that one...

If your progesterone was 6 at 9/10DPO, you definitely ovulated, anything over 5 is ovulation, 10 is supposedly "good" ovulation if you are not using medication, and they want over 15 if you are on a medicated cycle - with my son, my progesterone was 10.1 (it was an unmedicated cycle after 2 medicated cycles), and I didn't have to supplement, and he turned out perfect...with the one we lost, my progesterone was 13 (but I didnt lose the baby till 9 weeks, so it wasnt because of the progesterone), and with this one, progesterone was greater than 20 (but I was on injectables which was why it was so high)...

With my pregnancy when I started spotting my gyn tested prog right away and it came back at 13.4 - my gyn thought that was really on the low side. And I believe I was 7 or 8 weeks at the time. I lost my baby at 9 or 10 weeks

[Belita]

Update: I've been back and forth with my doctor's nurse (I wish we could have just made an appointment at this point!). My doctor feels from looking at my charts that I am ovulating. I guess her standard course of treatment is to prescribe Clomid, but she doesn't want to do that yet because of how strong my ovulation looks.

She wants to do another progesterone check this cycle, if I'm okay with it, and see what my progesterone does this cycle. I'm okay with not taking Clomid, but I'm surprised they didn't mention progesterone supplementation. Thank goodness for JM because I told the nurse that I did some reading up on this after hearing from her last week and I was wondering if the doctor thinks progesterone supplementation may work for me. The doctor isn't in on Wednesdays (the office only works 1/2 day anyways) but the nurse is going to ask. I told the nurse that I'd be out of town during ovulation and would like to know with enough time to get the prescription.

I hope my doctor gives me progesterone. I must say I'm surprised that she's thinking more Clomid than progesterone since she's thinks I'm having a strong enough ovulation, just not having enough progesterone.

[L-SBB]

also find out when they plan to do the check....my RE does mine on DPO5 and that allows them to immediately put me on Prometrium if it's low (under 10). The Clomid approach your OB is thinking about sounds the same as my RE's...he thought my low(ish) natural progesterone result was b/c of less than ideal ovulation...so I was ovulating, but perhaps follie wasn't as mature as it should be when O happened....taking Clomid helps the ovulation process, which in turn helps your body produce progesterone properly. My RE adds a prog supplement on top of that, but honestly just on Clomid + Ovidrel (trigger shot) by progesterone level at DPO5 last cycle (no prog supplement at that point) increased from 9.2 the prior cycle (so lowish) to a 19 on the Clomid cycle. Even with the Prometrium added after DPO5, my progesterone remained at 19.

Good luck, definitely make an appt so you can ask your OB all of your questions directly...hopefully OB will either do the Clomid or add Prometrium suppl...either one will likely correct the prog. level issue quickly.

[.:Shortcake:.]

I have done both the suppositories and the pills and the pills for me had less side effects. I agree with the testing 7dpo but either way taking the supplement isn't going to hurt. I hope they prescribe it to you and it's just want you need for your BFP

[Belita]

Thanks! That's good to hear that the Clomid naturally helps the progesterone, too. So the Clomid did as much for you as the progesterone? I have wondered if I ovulate too early and that may be a cause, so I'm sure the Clomid would help with that.

I just want to TTC this cycle and am afraid to without having something to support my progesterone.

[Belita]

I just wrote about my phone call with my doctor today in my journal: http://www.justmommies.com/forums/f3...l#post25637979 (Belita's Journal - TTC #1)

The short of it is I'm not getting a progesterone supplement right now because she wants to confirm I'm having a strong enough ovulation. I'm excited about her plan, but wish she'd let me take the progesterone this cycle until we can do the monitoring next cycle (which there hopefully won't be!)

[martilynne]

You are very lucky you have such a proactive doctor With my 2nd loss I was taking progesterone and it still didn't help me not m/c. It wasn't until I took prometrium AND clomid that I made it to the 2nd trimester.

[Belita]

Thanks, Marti! I do feel fortunate to have such a proactive OB! I've heard most doctors would have told me to give it more time. Hearing success stories helps me feel better about all this.