Progesterone during luteal phase?

[Anonymous]

Anyone had their progesterone tested during their luteal phase (7dpo) and remember what their numbers were and whether it was sufficient? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

SOrry I don't rememebr but I do remember finding some information online with Google. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I did and it was 11. The doctor said that 10 and up was better but that 11 was still on the very low end of normal. I was also having spotting between periods around this time as well. She told me that when I conceived that I may have to start taking progesterone if it was still low. After TTC for 8 months and still having spotting UGH, I went back and she put me on oral progesterone starting from ovulation. It worked like a charm and I got pregnant on the first time. My OB is wonderful and I am very glad that she took the time to listen to me and work with me to figure out the problem. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for your reply, PP. Was your progesterone monitored while you were pregnant? Did you continue to supplement after conceiving? I had a miscarriage recently where my progesterone was a measly 12 at 6.5 weeks! So I'm trying to get a handle of whether I have a problem but can't get a doctor to pay attention to me. I talked my regular doc (not OB) into doing a mid-luteal phase progesterone check and I found out the number was 18, but I haven't heard from him about whether that's okay (I'm not sure he even knows). Suprisingly little information online about what the numbers should be. Just wish I could get a doctor to give me some time and medical advice! I'm working on a referral to an RE, but I'm not sure my insurance is going to go for it.

[Anonymous]

How do you know if you have a progesterone issue? If the luteal phase is too short?

[Anonymous]

A luteal phase consistently less than 10 days long is one indicator. Not a very high and consistent temp rise after ovulation is another, mid-cycle spotting. All could indicate your body doesn't produce sufficient progesterone.

[Anonymous]

No my progesterone was not monitored while I was pregnant. I just took the supplements until I was 10 1/2 weeks when apparently the placenta takes over the progesterone production. Until then something called a leuteal cyst makes the progesterone when you become pregnant. I would say that 12 is pretty low and that if you had a miscarriage that you should see if they can try progesterone the next time around. The good news is that you got pregnant. A level of 18 sounds like it is well within the normal range though so who knows. Was the test do 21 dpo? I think that is pretty standard. You definitely need to find a OB that will listen to you and will spend time with you.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for your thoughts 17:01. The test was not quite on day 21 because I didn't ovulate until day 19. But it was 7 dpo. I'm taking vitamin B6 in hopes of lengthening my luteal phase, just in case. I'm currently 11 dpo and no period yet so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm afraid that once I get pregnant again (hopefully) I'm going to be scrambling trying to get the tests and support I need to stay pregnant. I would feel better if the levels were monitored to make sure the supplementation was working. Did you start taking the progesterone the day after ovulation, 3 dpo, or once you found out you were pregnant? I'm not TTC this month, but hopefully next.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did and it was 11. The doctor said that 10 and up was better but that 11 was still on the very low end of normal. I was also having spotting between periods around this time as well. She told me that when I conceived that I may have to start taking progesterone if it was still low. After TTC for 8 months and still having spotting UGH, I went back and she put me on oral progesterone starting from ovulation. It worked like a charm and I got pregnant on the first time. My OB is wonderful and I am very glad that she took the time to listen to me and work with me to figure out the problem. Good luck.

Can you tell me who your OB is? While I love mine in the labor and delivery room, I'm just not getting the support I need. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I had a short luteal phase (was 40 when ttc) and took progesterone supplements (vaginal suppositories) for the first 12 weeks of my pregnancy (and every 2 week wait for the non-successful cycles). Don't recall my numbers, but there is no harm in taking the supplementation. It is fine for the fetus - although it will give you pg symptoms even on the cycles your are not pregnant - so the only real way to know if you are pg is to test.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

17:01 here. I started taking the supplements orally on day 15 of my cycle and if I were to get my period I would stop taking them. Luckily I never got my period. I know that you do not want to start taking them to soon since they can actually prevent ovulation though I am no expert.