Low progesterone but temp rise

[LaRockera]

Hello ladies,

I am taking the liberty to post my question in this section in the hope that I may get more answers.

To make a long story short, I've been trying to conceive for 11 months and recently decided to undergo fertility tests. First round of bloods came back clear (FSH 5, LH 7, thyroid et al within normal limits). However, my progesterone round came back really low: 18nmol when the lowest reference is 30 (this is nmol, not ng. 18nmol is about 4-5ng if I'm not mistaken). Doctor said this means I'm probably not ovulating, and he sent me back for a repetition (due next week).

However, I get positive OPKs, and a clear thermal shift every single time. I've also noticed ovulation spotting once or twice (but not consistently). I can feel my ovulation too.

I guess my question is, what the hell is going on? My pre-ov temps are about 36.40 to 36.55, and the post-ov can climb up to 37. I suppose it could have been just that one cycle, as I had been extremely stressed and also drank my arse off (before ovulation), which is not something I often do. I also read that sometimes if the egg is not of great quality (which could very well be due to drinking) progesterone levels fall rapidly to prepare for next cycle. On the other hand, this may very well explain why I have not conceived yet, and why I have so bad PMS, often beginning two whole weeks prior to AF.

I understand I need to wait for the repetition results to come back, but since I did enter the luteal phase and I'm back to my post-ov, depressed, agonising self, I could use some ideas, advice or even a simple chat.

Thanks, guys. By the way, when do I qualify to migrate in this section? Girls at the ttc are lovely but next month will be a year for me which, while I understand may sound like a joke to some ladies over here that have been through a lot, at the same time makes me seek friendship and advice from ladies that walk on my shoes at the moment.

Thank you for the wonderful support. And I wish you all finally get what you so much deserve, and have struggled, and hurt like mad, and longed for so badly for all this time.

 

[StrawberryTTC]

I really don't have any answers for you, but thought I'd ask when you had the blood test for your progesterone levels? I mean did you have them cd21 OR 7dpo, which is when they're supposed to be done. I'm thinking that perhaps your progesterone levels were measured either too early or too late, which would explain the result. Or your progesterone levels can fall too soon - what are you temps like after ovulation, do they stay up all the way to af?

I would also ask for a repeat test, as you didn't have a normal cycle with the drinking and all. Don't know if that can affect the results, but it's easy to test if they'll do it again.

 

[LaRockera]

Thank you, Strawberry.

I'm going for a repeat test next week.

I had read that the progesterone test needs to be done 7dpo but my gyno said no, it needs to be done between days 21 to 23. I usually ovulate around day 13 anyway, so even if I was 1-2 days off results shouldn't have been that low, at least that was what I was told.

My temps stay above the coverline for at least 12 days, most of the time 14. Here are my charts:

My Ovulation Chart

I'm about 4dpo but hopefully you'll be able to see the previous cycles too.

 

[StrawberryTTC]

You're right, a day or two off shouldn't matter much. Hmm. Beats me then, because your charts really are clear, you get positive opks, and if you feel ovulation pains too I find it hard to believe you wouldn't really ovulate. Plus your temps stay nice and high too. Perhaps it was just one of those things, women can have anovulatory cycles every now and again, so perhaps we have "weak" ovulation sometimes too.

 

[LaRockera]

Thanks, again. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the repeat test shows.

 

[toch1402]

Hi LaRockera,

I am sorry but didn't want to read and run. I don't know much about hormones bits but I agree with what Strawberry said in her post. Just thought I would mention what my gp said about tests. I wondered the same question about 21 day blood test (progestrone) and what if your cycle wasn't a '28 day' cycle.


My doctor said that it is based on a 28 day cycle and called the 21 day test because the test needs to be done 7 days before the start of your period. So you need to have your blood test 7 days before the start of your period, rather than 7dpo. (I am just 'parrotting' the doctor!) How many days is your LP? What is the length of your cycle? It might be that it was the wrong day.

If it wasn't the wrong day it might be an odd month or if it is a low hormone I am sure that there are lots of things that can be done.

xx

 

[toch1402]

Whoops ....meant to say...

I am sorry but I don't know much about hormones but didn't want to read and run (!) ......... not........... I am sorry but I didn't want to read and run (!)

 

[LaRockera]

Ha ha, no worries, Toch! Thanks for posting.

My cycles vary from 28 to 30 days, usually 28. I did mention this to my doc, thinking I did the test perhaps a day later than I should have, and he said that the levels would be lower in such a case, but not that low.

I'm going for a repeat this week so I guess I'll find out.

 

[toch1402]

Ha ha, no worries, Toch! Thanks for posting.

My cycles vary from 28 to 30 days, usually 28. I did mention this to my doc, thinking I did the test perhaps a day later than I should have, and he said that the levels would be lower in such a case, but not that low.

I'm going for a repeat this week so I guess I'll find out.

Good Luck with the next one! I am waiting on results of a second 21 day retest after I had low estrogen on my last. So fingers crossed for both of us!

 

[LaRockera]

Good Luck with the next one! I am waiting on results of a second 21 day retest after I had low estrogen on my last. So fingers crossed for both of us!

So you had estrogen bloods too, yeah? Cause when I asked them they told me there really isn't a way to measure estrogen.

 

[toch1402]

Good Luck with the next one! I am waiting on results of a second 21 day retest after I had low estrogen on my last. So fingers crossed for both of us!

So you had estrogen bloods too, yeah? Cause when I asked them they told me there really isn't a way to measure estrogen.

Apparently....... unless the doctor got confused and meant progesterone!

 

[1hopefull]

wow, reading you post reminds me so much of my cycles!

i have great charts, opks, EWCM, ovarian twinges, etc etc and low progesterone. I have a somewhat short luteal phase but not LPD. my P4 7dpo was low as well (8.4). Dr. do not know if I O or not. Never had a repeat bc we started IF treatments and it doesn't medically matter at that point because we are forcing Oing with a trigger shot (although I would LOVE to know). so we are still unexplained bc i could be Oing (but maybe not). All my other tests, b/w etc have been normal.

I am really interested to see your 2nd test results. I hope they are a lot higher.

PS they can measure estrogen (often abbreviated E2 for estradiol). Usually on CD3. If high, it can be an indication of ovarian reserve issue. My levels were very low but I was told that doesn't matter. so I guess that is good.

 

[678star-bex]

hello, just wanted to say that i was the same when i first went for tests. charts were great, always had a peak on cbfm, smiley faces on the opk cb digitals, temp shift, ewcm, cud feel myself ov'ing in the ovary area, etc.

MANY bloods later, dr confirmed ov but said not always consistent (I have a theory they tested for progesterone before i ov'ed bacause i know i have a short LP of 8 days). My fs was not interested in my charts & did not want me to temp at all. I am now on clomid which will hopefully lead to my BFP. I hope u find answers and ur BFP!

 

[LaRockera]

wow, reading you post reminds me so much of my cycles!

i have great charts, opks, EWCM, ovarian twinges, etc etc and low progesterone. I have a somewhat short luteal phase but not LPD. my P4 7dpo was low as well (8.4). Dr. do not know if I O or not. Never had a repeat bc we started IF treatments and it doesn't medically matter at that point because we are forcing Oing with a trigger shot (although I would LOVE to know). so we are still unexplained bc i could be Oing (but maybe not). All my other tests, b/w etc have been normal.

I am really interested to see your 2nd test results. I hope they are a lot higher.

PS they can measure estrogen (often abbreviated E2 for estradiol). Usually on CD3. If high, it can be an indication of ovarian reserve issue. My levels were very low but I was told that doesn't matter. so I guess that is good.

Thank you, hon.

I'm interested to see the second tests results too. My LH is at least 14 days and my FSH came back 5, which apparently is really good.

I may go privately for an ultra-sound around ovulation time next month because it can actually show the released egg. Can you afford to do it? How much would an ultra sound cost where you are? I'm in the UK but will be going home to Greece for the Easter break and will pay a visit to my private gyno there.

I wish this was simpler and easier!

 

[LaRockera]

hello, just wanted to say that i was the same when i first went for tests. charts were great, always had a peak on cbfm, smiley faces on the opk cb digitals, temp shift, ewcm, cud feel myself ov'ing in the ovary area, etc.

MANY bloods later, dr confirmed ov but said not always consistent (I have a theory they tested for progesterone before i ov'ed bacause i know i have a short LP of 8 days). My fs was not interested in my charts & did not want me to temp at all. I am now on clomid which will hopefully lead to my BFP. I hope u find answers and ur BFP!

Thanks, hon. Hmm... sounds strange they didn't want you to chart, but then they're the specialists, not me.

Wishing BFPs to all of us soon. I'm always okay during the first half of the month, but on the second I have to clench my teeth until AF arrives. It becomes more and more difficult by the months.

 

[678star-bex]

yeah the first half of the cycle i am all positive and full of hope and planning when to BD. i dodnt know when i ov because i gave up tracking but half way thru i just feel like im out and get fed up and sad.

 

[1hopefull]

wow, reading you post reminds me so much of my cycles!

i have great charts, opks, EWCM, ovarian twinges, etc etc and low progesterone. I have a somewhat short luteal phase but not LPD. my P4 7dpo was low as well (8.4). Dr. do not know if I O or not. Never had a repeat bc we started IF treatments and it doesn't medically matter at that point because we are forcing Oing with a trigger shot (although I would LOVE to know). so we are still unexplained bc i could be Oing (but maybe not). All my other tests, b/w etc have been normal.

I am really interested to see your 2nd test results. I hope they are a lot higher.

PS they can measure estrogen (often abbreviated E2 for estradiol). Usually on CD3. If high, it can be an indication of ovarian reserve issue. My levels were very low but I was told that doesn't matter. so I guess that is good.

Thank you, hon.

I'm interested to see the second tests results too. My LH is at least 14 days and my FSH came back 5, which apparently is really good.

I may go privately for an ultra-sound around ovulation time next month because it can actually show the released egg. Can you afford to do it? How much would an ultra sound cost where you are? I'm in the UK but will be going home to Greece for the Easter break and will pay a visit to my private gyno there.

I wish this was simpler and easier!

Well, I have been on Clomid with IUI's since we starting seeing the RE (except the last two cycles) so we have u/s for monitoring. But I use a trigger shot so IF I O is no longer a question (the dr says you DO, no questions). Also, I might O but the egg might not be mature enough. So who knows. I thought I would ask for her to monitor me on the last two natural cycles but since we are NTNP and taking a break from all the craziness due to our ectopic, I thought I would wait. We will be starting up clomid + iui's soon (waiting for AF to show).

PS I have always wanted to go to Greece! Its good that you can get your scans done for cheaper there.

yeah the first half of the cycle i am all positive and full of hope and planning when to BD. i dodnt know when i ov because i gave up tracking but half way thru i just feel like im out and get fed up and sad.

I so get this and I am sorry. I had it with temping after like 10 awesome looking charts. Just wanted to send you a big hug.

 

[Ruskiegirl]

I have low progesterone also , I also get temp rises too so mabey its normal ???

 

[MariaF]

Thank you, Strawberry.

I'm going for a repeat test next week.

I had read that the progesterone test needs to be done 7dpo but my gyno said no, it needs to be done between days 21 to 23. I usually ovulate around day 13 anyway, so even if I was 1-2 days off results shouldn't have been that low, at least that was what I was told.

My temps stay above the coverline for at least 12 days, most of the time 14. Here are my charts:

My Ovulation Chart

I'm about 4dpo but hopefully you'll be able to see the previous cycles too.

Based on your chart Id say you need to have your progesterone tested today or tomorrow. So next week will be no use as it will be too late. 18nmol is borderline. If there definitely wasn't ov the reading would be in the low single figures.

 

[LaRockera]

1hopefull - I hope you get to visit Greece with a baby in your arms. In fact, why don't you make it a goal? Visit Greece when your baby becomes a toddler so that you can teach him/her to swim and do stuff together!

Ruskiegirl-May be. Will see what the repeat shows.