E2 level in early pregnancy

gsancho · August 2014

My 2nd beta came in at 1048, but my E2 plummeted from 1400 to 106. They're putting me back on the highest estradiol dosage (I don't think I could have shoved that suppository up my vagina any faster), but such a big drop is so concerning. I can't find much online - just one story saying it leads to miscarriages and another saying it can come back up and be fine - so it doesn't seem like a common occurrence...But have any of you had any experience with this?

wishiwaspreggo · August 2014

I can't offer much advice but I wanted to say your HCG numbers are doing awesome! That in and of itself is a great sign. How's your progesterone?

Good luck!! I hope your supplements boost your E2 levels to where they should be.

gsancho · August 2014

@wishiwaspreggo They said progesterone looked good, but I don't know the number. If it was an E2 dip, I'd be fine - I've always had E2 problems, maybe from my low AMH. But having such a huge drop leaves me so upset. I wish I could focus more on the hcg number!

wishiwaspreggo · August 2014

Did your doctor seem terribly concerned about your E2 levels? The fact that your progesterone and HCG are at healthy levels should be a very reassuring sign. I wouldn't worry too much unless the doctor gave you a reason to worry, and even then you should take it with a grain of salt and see what happens. I hope other ladies chime in! I'm curious to know what others experienced, too.

gsancho · August 2014

@wishiwaspreggo the nurse called, so I guess if it was really bad the RE would've called...but when I asked her if I should worry about my E2 she just said, "Well, it's important to sustaining a healthy pregnancy, but let's just see what happens Friday". I called back later to ask if I should go in tomorrow, and she said no...and that if they were super worried, they would have given me even more meds - they don't worry about drops, they are just kinda worried b/c the drop was so big and fast.

Thanks for the reassurance! I'll still cry on and off the next two days...hopefully I can focus more on the good beta number as the next 48 hrs pass.

pblge · August 2014

So this may be a minority opinion, but I'm really not convinced how much E2 levels really matter. First of all, lots of clinics don't supplement with estrogen, so it can't be that crucial. Second of all, even my clinic, which IS supplementing me and is testing me every five seconds for god knows what reason (I'll have my eighth beta draw next Friday at 8 weeks-ish -- WHY?!?!), well, they've never once checked my E2 levels since the first beta. How often do you hear about people testing it? I suppose they're doing it in your case because of your history, but it may just be a precaution. Obviously, I might not know what the hell I'm talking about, but it's got to be less important than progesterone, which every clinic across the country tests.

Also, you may have noticed that I had a massive progesterone crash--65 down to 16ish in two days. Like you, I completely lost my sh!t for a couple of days, convinced I was miscarrying (I also drove back home and IMMEDIATELY demanded that my OH give me a half dose butt shot), but the next test showed it went right back up to 85ish. These tests have a margin of error, and I do think it can make a big difference how recently you've taken the dose, and probably other stuff like hydration.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Early pregnancy is hard enough without having these IF type scares! Try to stay calm and positive and focus on your AWESOME second beta!!

gsancho · August 2014

@pblge I did actually think of you and your progesterone worries earlier when I was trying to calm myself down. It does help me feel better.

I've always had E2 issues and have been on 6 patches at a time...at ET they saw my E2 was still really low, and they added on suppositores for a few days...but when they jumped up after beta #1 they had me stop. The (tiny) optimistic side of me is thinking that my body just rejects the patches and the drop was caused from stopping the pills. But of course then the pessimistic side comes back and I get all crazy again.

kflynn81 · August 2014

My RE didn't check e2 /p4 levels with my last pregnancy but its apparently part of protocol now until you get released to the OB. Last year, they had me stop taking the Estrace when I was released at 8 weeks but for some reason they told me to stop taking it the day of our first u/s which was 5 weeks. I just figured it was part of the new protocol and didn't say anything. FF to the following week, I met with the NP at the office and she asked me why I was off the Estrace....ummmm, your staff told me to??? So she said they'd probably put me back on it. Sure enough my bloodwork came back that day previously over 500 but dropped to 100 so I went back on it the very next morning. When I had my repeat labs the next week it was 940!!! I have no idea what it does with pregnancy but they seemed concerned about the drop so I was concerned too and was happy it shot back up!!! GL to you!!!

gsancho · August 2014

@kflynn81 That does make me feel better...thank you!

blueberries8 · August 2014

I had an epic E2 crash shortly after getting a bfp with one of my IVFs. My RE put me on a high dose of estrogen (that cycle, I wasn't taking any during the luteal phase) but he also said he didn't think the E2 was really so important. I think he put me on the high dose of estrogen really just because there was little downside and as a precaution. The pregnancy continued to progress just fine (sadly I lost the babies much later on due to PTL but it had nothing at all to do with the estrogen). It seems to me that it is sort of a black box if E2 levels matter in early pregnancy and I think you have every reason to be positive right now.

Also, FWIW, I don't know whether you were on the antagonist protocol, but I was and I have a close friend who had a similar experience with the antagonist protocol and I have a vague recollection that the RE thought maybe it was something protocol-specific that can sometimes cause this estrogen crash.

poohniki · August 2014

Hi (I didn't read all pp- so sorry if I repeat)

I currently am on estrogen patches and pills because my estrogen started to go down and it was low in the beginning. This is all being monitored by my Reproductive Immunologist, my RE only checked once and was happy.

Anyway, the E2 is important for placenta development and low levels could show baby measuring behind. Luckily my bean has always been right on the day regardless of my E2 level, but I am glad that I am being monitored.

Hopefully the suppositories do the trick.

gsancho · September 2014

@BlueJoan Thanks for lurking

After dropping to 104, it came back Friday to over 1700. WTF - I don't even know what happened, but I was very relieved. I was traveling so couldn't get online to update. But they didn't take a beta Friday, so I go tomorrow to check everything again. I'm still peeing on sticks every other day, though...I'm always paranoid.

pblge · September 2014

Wow. Well that pattern looks familiar! Glad it's looking good now! When is your first ultrasound?

gsancho · September 2014

@pblge Not until 9/22...an eternity away!! I guess he prefers to do it at 8+ weeks. For now, I'll just have today's beta update to go off...hopefully it's strong so I don't agonize for 3 weeks about a heartbeat - although, who am i kidding...I'll obssess regardless.

wishiwaspreggo · September 2014

Hey, this is awesome!!! I was lurking, too, to see how your numbers were going So far everything looks like it's fabulous. FWIW, I peed on sticks every day for the first 2-3 weeks after my initial BFP. I stopped when the test line got stronger than the control. I figured at that point it's really not telling me anything other than "You have a lot of HCG in your blood" without the benefit of knowing the actual numbers.

A part of me still wants to POAS but I know how ridiculous that would be so I've abstained.

Anyway, as long as you're not bleeding and cramping in most cases everything is going the way it should. I know it's hard not to be nervous about that first u/s (my BP was 143/92 right before I got my first u/s because I was freaking out something awful) but your numbers are strong so take comfort in that until your ultrasound!

pblge · September 2014

Sheesh, that is a long time to wait! Is that the newest beta in your siggie? Looks great!

Want a personalized experience?

E2 level in early pregnancy

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Re: E2 level in early pregnancy

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

NTNP 2009-2012 TTC since 2012:

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

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Want a personalized experience?

E2 level in early pregnancy

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Re: E2 level in early pregnancy

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

NTNP 2009-2012 TTC since 2012:

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!