Progesterone levels(also posted on May 2011 board)

Soontobemrspaulding

Hi Ladies, I also posted this on the May 2011 board. I was just thinking those of you who are a bit further along may have more experience with this.

  The nurse at my OB just called me back.  I got HCG levels drawn on Tuesday and Thursday.  I got the Tuesday one done at my University health center and the results are not back yet GRRR but results from yesterday were HCG is 17400.  She mentioned that my Progesterone level is not great but not terrible. it is 12.4.  I am of course googling now and I am terrified, it looks low according to what I have researched.  I am just wondering if anyone else has had this happen?  She is going to consult with the Dr and see if he wants me to start doing anything or come in for an ultrasound.  ARRGHH I was really hoping for an all clear today to have a more relaxed weekend.  Looks like that may not happen:(

 Any feedback would be awesome. THANKS! 

rrcraz7

I'm with an RE and on progesterone supplements. It was 13 and they said it was fine. When it dropped to 11 the following week they had me start taking them the next day. They said that for a natural pregnancy 11 was borderline and a regular OB probably wouldn't have put me on the supplements at all.

Progesterone can also fluctuate throughout the day.

 

Ali22

From my experience, it is best to have the labs drawn through the same lab. I have been told that results can vary greatly from lab to lab. You also should ask about going on progesterone (prometrium) supplements. It is very common to have low progesterone and the prometrium helps ennormously. ( I had two m/c prior to having my daughter in Aug 09, so Imy MD put me on heparin and prometrium as a precaution until 13 weeks.)

BSSnCEB

You will get a lot of different answers on this one.  My progesterone at 5 weeks was 11.3, my doctor said that anything above 10 was ok.  My doctor's office does not put people on progesterone supplements.  I'm over 10 weeks pregnant, so far my progesterone hasn't been a problem!  Good luck!

hmontty

It's definitely low but not low enough for imminent danger (I believe the cutoff is 9). You will probably be put on supplemental progesterone for the rest of the trimester. If the baby is OK as of this moment, everything should be fine.

hmontty

I should note in response to one of the ladies mentioning that her doctor "doesn't put people on progesterone supplements" -- there is debate about whether low progesterone should be supplemented because some believe that a pregnancy with low prog. (under 10) is a sign of a failing pregnancy, and using the supplements will only prolong the inevitable.

Thankfully, others have realized that some women (even if a small percentage) do not produce enough progesterone to maintain a pregnancy and so will experience multiple miscarriages. Supplementation in these cases can be a godsend.

After two years of infertility, my RE discovered that I produce enough prog. after ovulation to show that I ovulated, but not enough to ever maintain any early pregnancy (level of 6). I was put on the supplements, and lo and behold, I was pregnant naturally within two months, and at 11.5 weeks, the baby is right on track.

So what I'm saying is that the benefits of prog. for pregnancies in women who produce enough prog. is sketchy. For those few who do not, it makes all the difference.

Not sure what your doc will say, but that's the scoop, as far as I understand it.

maddie789

I agree that you are going to get differing opinions on this, depending on what one's doctor thinks. At my first appointment my progesterone level was at 13, so I was put on the suppositories three times daily. I also see an RE. A week later they went up to 29, and then another week later they were at 24. I'm still on the suppositories, and will likely be through the end of the first tri.

TeacherMel

Don't google!!  I did this after getting my numbers and I caused myself a lot of uneeded worry.   I had low progesterone (10) when I found out I was pregnat at 5w2d.  I have always had low progesterone so I was not surprised.  I have been on supplements and will continue through my first trimester.  Be confident that your dr found it and is now monitoring you.

 

 

dsrossing

I went in the day after I got my BFP, my progesterone was at 5.3. Prior to pregnancy it was at 5.7. My midwife prescribe me Prometrium. For $12 (after insurance) I will gladly take anything to help keep this pregnancy vital. I know that if its inevitable I miscarry, the prometrium wont' help, but it surely gives me peace of mind!

 After reasearching progesterone I realized that our body's make it from our cholesterol. Well...my body has NO cholesterol! I found that out when my naturopath took a bunch of bloodwork. So...that's the boat I'm in.

Agreed, don't Google. Especially the Prometrium. It'll say don't take it, but my aunt who is an OBGYN said its very safe and if her daughter was in the same situation she'd beg her to take it if it meant seeing her baby alive, this side of Heaven.

 GL!

BSSnCEB

hmontty:

I should note in response to one of the ladies mentioning that her doctor "doesn't put people on progesterone supplements" -- there is debate about whether low progesterone should be supplemented because some believe that a pregnancy with low prog. (under 10) is a sign of a failing pregnancy, and using the supplements will only prolong the inevitable.

Thankfully, others have realized that some women (even if a small percentage) do not produce enough progesterone to maintain a pregnancy and so will experience multiple miscarriages. Supplementation in these cases can be a godsend.

After two years of infertility, my RE discovered that I produce enough prog. after ovulation to show that I ovulated, but not enough to ever maintain any early pregnancy (level of 6). I was put on the supplements, and lo and behold, I was pregnant naturally within two months, and at 11.5 weeks, the baby is right on track.

So what I'm saying is that the benefits of prog. for pregnancies in women who produce enough prog. is sketchy. For those few who do not, it makes all the difference.

Not sure what your doc will say, but that's the scoop, as far as I understand it.

 I agree with everything you said.  I miscarried in May at 6 weeks and had a low progesterone of 6, my biggest fear was being one of those people who do not product enough progesterone to support a pregnancy.  I've been to two different clinics and neither use the supplements.  Luckily it appears my body did produce enough progesterone this time around.  I just wanted to say that I 100% agree with what you wrote.  I'm really glad the supplements have worked for you!

kstar3000

I'm glad you posted this (and that it got so many responses)! I have low progesterone (9) at about 5 weeks... I had some spotting which FREAKED me out, but my Nurse Practitioner said is due to the low hormone. Since my HGC levels were normal, she put me on the Progesterone shot until at least Monday when they take another blood sample... T&P's for both of us!