Progesterone level is too low

[Jesyliz]

Hi ladies

I'm just after a bit of advice. So I found out after having my bloods taken that my progesterone is 13.7 nmol. The test is going to be repeated this cycle as well but I was wondering what it really means.

I had them done at the right time, cd25 of a 32 day cycle. They're doing them on cd21 and cd26 to compare this time but aren't expecting them to be higher.

I'm being referred to a gynaecologist but I would like to be a bit more prepared about what to expect. Obviously my progesterone is up a little but does that mean I ovulate and just have low levels or would 13.7 indicate no ovulation.

I'm so confused and upset at the moment and I think its mainly because I can't really control what's happening and how long I'll have to wait. I'm having regular bleeds every 31/32 days that are incredibly painful but not overly heavy and I do have a lot of pelvic pain throughout the month.

Anyway I suppose I'm looking for a bit of hope and support.

Jess xxx

 

[dogmommy]

My RE wanted mine to be over 12 so I think you're good!

 

[Jesyliz]

Thanks for the reply, I think it's different measurements in the UK, my doc told me they look for levels over 30 nmol to show ovulation.

Xxx

 

[khttc]

What kind of symptoms did you guys have? I'm scheduled to go to doc in a couple weeks, and the past few months I've been consistently spotting a full week before AF is due. Could this be low p or luteal phase defect maybe?

 

[Jesyliz]

Hi khttc, I get quite a bit of spotting before af, also I have fibrocystic breasts which is caused by too much oestrogen, it's really painful. But definitely spotting before af, especially a number of days before is a sign of low progesterone.

Xxx

 

[Lues]

I know this is a few weeks old now, but just to pop in here with some hopeful thoughts...

I was TCC multiple years, before we finally realized my progesterone levels were low. I WAS ovulating. Got my period every month (spotted before). But progesterone does more than make us ovulate.

It also gets the lining of your uterus to be the right consistency to accept the egg.

It took a few months of altering my progesterone supplements to get the lining to be correct. I would get an ultrasound at about 10 days after ovulating, and until it was right, we kept upping it.

Not all offices believe in this, how much of a difference progesterone can make.

But here I am.... 33 weeks pregnant. After almost 3 years of heartbreak, exhaustion and tears, I got my first ever BFP the VERY FIRST month the lining converted as it was supposed to (unfortunately that ended in a miscarriage at 7 weeks). But then the VERY NEXT time we tried (with that same progesterone supplementation), I got my sticky bean.

So out of more than 40 cycles, the TWO that I had the proper progesterone supplementation, I got pregnant on both of them.

I know how overwhelming it. And I know how heartbreaking it can be to hear that your body is doing something "wrong". But try to keep in mind that anything that they find "wrong" is really just MORE in your control. It means you can DO something about it.

And in my experience, low progesterone alone can be enough to stop you from getting pregnant. And supplements may just be all you need!

Good luck to you all.

 

[Jesyliz]

Thank-you Lies, I really appreciate your comment. It gives me hope. I have an appointment next week with my doctor hopefully I can start taking supplements soon.

You're right that I was quite glad that they found something, I can think of nothing worse than having unexplained infertility, it must be heartbreaking. Xxx