Progesterone Levels

irismorning

Results from the blood test last week. My levels are still low 6. Apparently I did not ovulate this cycle. Does exercise affect this at all? I have begun running again after a several year break....

katie0919

What day did they test your levels? Was it for certain 7 DPO? Also, progesterone levels can vary big time throughout the day (according to my RE). I had progesterone drawn a couple months ago at 7 days after a positive OPK....but according to my chart it was only 5 DPO. My progesterone was only 2.6 that day. But I know I ovulated because of my chart/temps. Are you charting?

My RE asked how much I run....she wanted to make sure I wasn't going crazy long distances. She said my cycle classes 2 times a week, plus my 2-3 days of running (4 miles max when I run) was fine. Are you running very long distances? That could mess up your cycles especially if you weren't exercising regularly before that. GL!

kelley72

Agree with pp regarding date of blood draw is important, did you confirm ovulation with temping?  Are you really low body fat?  If so then yes it can affect your fertility.  I wish you well

irismorning

@kelley72- I wish that I was really low body fat

I am running under 4 miles each time about 5 days a week. I tested twice, once 2 days after the OPK said that I had ovulated and then at 21 days into the cycle. My first numbers were low 2.something. I am charting (only the first month and a half into it), but I only have a slight temp change (from 97.1-2 to 97.8). My temp did rise though according to fertility friend.

crankstergangster

I had the "21 day test" - I don't know why they call it that.  What's wrong with 7dpo test?  Anyway, I had that done once.  My temps showed I O'd for sure.  But then my OB called me and said "your numbers were really low and it doesn't look like you O'd."  I was so upset.  My numbers were low, around 7-8 I think.  Well, two days later I got a faint BFP.  I did end up miscarrying.  Betas only got up to ~500, but still, I clearly ovulated.....I've also seen research showing progesterone levels throughout the day, and they fluctuate big time.  Eating a meal alone will affect it.  Good luck!

katie0919

irismorning said:

@kelley72- I wish that I was really low body fat

I am running under 4 miles each time about 5 days a week. I tested twice, once 2 days after the OPK said that I had ovulated and then at 21 days into the cycle. My first numbers were low 2.something. I am charting (only the first month and a half into it), but I only have a slight temp change (from 97.1-2 to 97.8). My temp did rise though according to fertility friend.

What do you mean when you say you tested "two days after the OPK said I had ovulated"? An OPK does not tell you that you ovulated. Temping does - your blood should be drawn on the 7th day of your temp shift. Whatever day your temp rose to 97.8 (as long as you had two more consecutive higher temps like that after the first one), then that means you ovulated the day BEFORE the temp rise and you should have your blood drawn 7 days after your O day. An OPK only indicates a rise in LH, not that you ovulated. Sometimes I ovulate more than 48 hours after a positive OPK.

katie0919

Also, your slight temp rise is right on - usually a temp rise in .4 degrees is indicative of ovulation (as long as your temp stays that high for 2 more days after the first temp rise)