Progestrone Question

[CareBear]

Hi all, wonder if you can help me please? I'm about to embark on another 4 cycles of clomid and HCG jab to make me ovulate as I don't ovulate regularly by myself. My question is if I am having HCG jab to make me ovulate, is it still possible for my progestrone levels not to be high enough for implantation, even though my lutal phase is 14 days?

The reason I'm asking is because I've had two chemical pregnancies in the past, on cycles that I've had clomid and HCG jabs, and I've been advised to try baby asprin which I'm planning to next cycle when I start the clomid again, however I'm worried that my progestrone levels aren't getting high enough for implantation. The progestrone test I had before being referred to the fertility clinic was level 4 which they have just told me means I don't ovulate. When I tried to ask my consultant if my hormone levels may not be high enough in the second half of my cycle and therefore affect implantation, he didn't answer my question. I've tried vitamin B6 in the past and I'm still not pregnant and I want to try and cover all bases for my next 4 cycles and give everything the best chance possible. I am planning to ask the nurses when I go for my scan but wondered if anyone here would have any advice.

Thanks everyone!

 

[ald]

Hello, I can't answer your question directly but just give you my experience. I am currently on 6 cycles of Clomid and have the HCG injection my FS has also put me on progestrone tablets for 12 days after the injection as my levels were so low and she said it can only help me. I would defo ask about it as it.

 

[CurlySue]

Have your blood tests ever indicated low progesterone? I mean, have they ever showed concern about it and offered the supplements?

 

[vineyard]

The only time I did Clomid with HCG was for my IUIs and they put me on Progesterone support both times. It definitely can't hurt and I think your concern is a very legitimate one. I would ask if they would be willing to do progesterone support. I don't know where you are, but in the US it's fairly reasonable.

 

[CareBear]

Have your blood tests ever indicated low progesterone? I mean, have they ever showed concern about it and offered the supplements?

Yes, my GP did CD5 LH and FSH tests and then CD21 progestrone test (which I had slightly later due to longer and irregular cycles) which came back as a 4 so my GP said I wasn't ovulating. The first register or whatever she was I saw at my first fertility appointment said this level was low as they would be looking for it to be over 30 to prove I've ovulated. They then put me on clomid and HCG jabs, never repeated any of the blood tests and never shown any concern or offered supplements. The fertility consultant didn't even seem to know what I was talking about when I asked if hormones after ovulation ie progestrone could be too low and therefore affect implantation, which through my own research I've read could be an issue.

I'm thinking I might ask for blood tests to be done again 7 days after the HCG jab to see if my progestrone levels are as high as they say they should be because I don't see how they can say they should be at a certain level and then not check that they are reaching those levels following medication IYKWIM. Thing is as I said before I want to give these 4 cycles every chance and ensure I've covered everything single thing that "could" be an issue to try and ensure I get a that stays put. I don't want to go onto more invasive procedures so these 4 cycles of medication are my last ones of guaranteed ovulation and therefore my best chance.

 

[CurlySue]

You must have progesterone to a level that allows for implantation so it cannot be low when you actually conceive. It might be that after you have conceived and the egg has implanted your body reduces the progesterone to such a level that it cannot sustain. The fact that you got pregnant, though, does indicate that you do not have a problem with progesterone to such an extent that you are going to have trouble conceiving. You could always address it with your GP/Doctor/Whoever it is, tell them that you worry your progesterone levels might drop should you achieve a pregnancy and ask whether supplements during this time might be beneficial.

 

[CareBear]

Thanks Sue I agree that I don't think its low enough to to have trouble conceiving but I think it might be dropping to lower levels to prevent implantation, the chemical pregnancies I've had are more suspected as I had very very faint BFP's (nothing to shout about but Dh could see something too) and then bled completely differently and its just concerning and I want to be sure every possible hurdle is addressed and I'm giving every chance to get a sustained pregnancy. Glad someone else agrees that it might be worth it! Thank you!

 

[CurlySue]

It needs to have implanted in order for you to get a positive test though. That is what I was told at a recent fertility consultation, so your eggs must have implanted. It is when this happens that the HCG starts being released. With chemical pregnancies, they say that it simply does not hold on because the environment changes, somehow, maybe the womb lining becomes too thin or maybe a hormonal imbalance causes the body to reject it. If the estrogen/progesterone balance suddenly shifts towards AF levels then the body cannot sustain the pregnancy, therefore taking progesterone in, say, the first six to eight weeks, I think it is they say, that can help the embryo 'hold on' so to speak.

 

[Aria]

Ask your doctor for a prescription for vaginal suppository progesterone supplements. They're pretty common over here because if you don't have enough progesterone, then the lining sloughs off and you lose the pregnancy. A friend of mine is trying naturally after her husband had a vasectomy-reversal, and she's also on them. I believe pretty much always if you're going through IVF, they have you use the suppositories (I am).

It's worth looking into.

 

[CareBear]

It needs to have implanted in order for you to get a positive test though. That is what I was told at a recent fertility consultation, so your eggs must have implanted. It is when this happens that the HCG starts being released. With chemical pregnancies, they say that it simply does not hold on because the environment changes, somehow, maybe the womb lining becomes too thin or maybe a hormonal imbalance causes the body to reject it. If the estrogen/progesterone balance suddenly shifts towards AF levels then the body cannot sustain the pregnancy, therefore taking progesterone in, say, the first six to eight weeks, I think it is they say, that can help the embryo 'hold on' so to speak.

Thanks CS you have managed to write down what was on my mind very clearly!

Thanks for the help everyone!