Low Progesterone Level - How early did you know your BFP to start your progesterone pills?

awerkman

Hi Everyone,

I just had my 2nd miscarriage this year and it was noticed that my progesterone levels are very low.  With that said my Dr. told me to come in as soon as I think I am pregnant for a blood test and then to start taking progesterone pills.  My questions is.....is there a time when its too late before your missed period?  Do I test every day to catch the pregnancy as soon as it would show up on a pregnancy test?  How early or late did you start your progesterone?  Now we know what the issue is I am just nervous about not catching the pregnancy in time to help it with the progesterone.  Any advice or personal stories would be very helpful as I just want to make sure I do the right things the next time around.  Thank you everyone in advice for you help, advice and support!

Thank you,

Ali

Samuelismomma

My re had me start them after I O'd and was in tww. So level would be up to support implantation. Maybe other ladies have feed back or try TTCAL board. Good luck!

awerkman

I actually just read the rules of this page (sorry I know I should have read that first but didn't see it until now) and though maybe this is the wrong page for this question.  Thank you very much for your feedback!  I will post this onto a different group.

christia10

I took them from day one of my positive pg test. I mean why not?

Eliz77

I am so sorry for your losses. ((HUGS))

Did you have your progesterone tested before getting BFP? The reason I ask-when I had blood work done by two different REs (I think it was done 7-10dpo), my progesterone came back within normal range both times. Both REs told me they did not think my losses have been due to progesterone issues, but that the plan would be to start on supplements when I got a BFP as a pre-cautionary/can't hurt type of deal. With my last loss, my progesterone never went higher than a 17 and came back lower with each draw. RE said the loss most likely had nothing to do with the dropping progesterone levels, and that it dropped because the pregnancy was not viable.

I did start progesterone suppositories with my last two BFPs (one ended in loss at 7 weeks, other resulted current pregnancy), both happened to be on 15dpo. 

Good luck!

fallfever

BFP at 9 DPO. (And if you went by my LMP, it was at 3 weeks pg.) Called OB and started taking progesterone supps at 11 DPO if I remember correctly.

Mom2anAngel2

I took progesterone for 10 days past O, but then stopped. I don't test until 17 dpo and started the progesterone as soon as I got a positive test.

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erinel

I also started taking them a couple days after ovulation, well before my BFP.  If I were you, I would test early and often, and start taking them right away.

pblge

GrailSeeker14 said:

Sorry for your losses

I did IVF but the order of events roughly corresponded to starting a couple days after ovulation to support a good healthy lining stays in place for implantation and beyond. Perhaps for planning ahead you might ask your OB what they think about starting progesterone in the 2ww just in case

This. If you have a known progesterone problem, many REs would start you on supplements (pills, suppositories, shots) at around 2 dpo. If that's not an option, just get on them ASAP.

Good luck!

SamanthaLaura16

My RE had me start a few days after I ovulated and would go until I tested and then if it came out positive keep on them.

KJsbabe

With this LO I was doing cycle monitoring and had my progersterone checked at 7dpo. It came back at 18 and my doctor wanted to see it closer to 25. I started suppositories on 9dpo and got my BFP on 11dpo.

With DD I got my BFP on 12dpo and didn't start progesterone until 16dpo.

E&B0811

With this pregnancy I started vaginal progesterone supplements at 15dpo.

JuddandJessica

Some REs/OBs will have you start PRIOR to a BFP. However, most insurance companies will consider that to be voluntary fertility medication and won't pay any of it, easily leaving you with a huge bill. 

For baby 2, I was told to come into the office the day of a BFP for beta draws and progesterone (though i've always done suppositories and not pills). I tested starting at 7 dpo, got a "pull apart the test and put it in a lightbulb" faint positive at 8 dpo and started progesterone at 9dpo.

For this baby, I was not anticipating being pregnant so I was not testing early. Do to the surprise and a few insurance issues, I started progesterone at 4 weeks 4 days pregnant. 

stefani103

I don't want to be a scary story, but... after my second loss, the doctor noted that my progesterone was low. He said to come in as soon as I thought I was pregnant for a prescription. I didn't feel pregnant, but I got my bfp at 4 weeks, so I made an appointment. The morning of my appointment at 5 weeks, I began bleeding, and it was the start of my third loss. 

The doctor gave me the rx with the instructions to start at day 16 of my cycle (cycle beginning on the first day of my period). (4th loss was chromosomal... 5th pregnancy still going strong!) 

So 2-3 days past ovulation, if memory serves me correctly. (I feel very obligated to say that I'm not a doctor, this is just my story.)

jess123456

I also started a couple days after ovulation (it was a medicated cycle though).

KMW08

I started mine 3-4days after ovulation. I was temping (basal body temp) and charting with fertilityfriend.com

I found it ESSENTIAL to chart, as progesterone can actually prevent or delay ovulation if started too early, so I wanted to be absolutely sure I had ovulated before I started the progesterone.

AlexandriaPR

I started my Progesterone suppositories at 4w5d and I will be on them until the 12th week. I'm at week 7 tomorrow and everything has been going well (Thank God), we heard a heartbeat 2 days ago! Good luck and good strength to you!

chicagojackie

Once I got two lines I started the progesterone. The indication was luteal phase deficiency. Remember that progesterone will not "save" a chromosomally abnormal baby or a baby with other structural issues, it only treats low progesterone. It has saved both of my chromosomally normal babies (2nd one 16wks now) and could not save my angel baby at 7wks.