Vitamin B6 - Lengthen luteal phase or increase progesterone

[GillAwaiting]

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to check in and give an update on the B6 story too. Lisa F thank you so much for coming back and giving us all your info. It's really appreciated that you take the time to do that.

I've been on B6 and then B complex 50mg for the last 2.5 cycles. Started just after ovulation. Im now 13 dpo and waiting for AF. i NEVER got to 13 dpo before. I've had very very slight spotting at 11dpo and 12dpo. Temperatures are doing what they usually do but doing it 2 days later. Yo-yo ing at reasonably high temperatures. one step up, two steps down kinda thing.

Isn't it typical. The ONE time I want AF to come, she doesnt arrive when expected. Im waiting for Day 1 to come so I can ring fertility clinic and book the Day 3 blood test and a scan that apparently needs to be done between cd 2 and cd8.

Did a test yesterday with the slightest of hopes and got a


Have lots of tests to get done before we see the fertility specialist, which is on the 21st of December. It's gonna be v.hard to concentrate on Christmas this year. DH is having sp test done on 23rd. I think he is a bit nervous, god love him.

I had m/c last few days of April/Start of May. Baby would have been due yesterday. It's a bit of landmark. Never thought at the time I would still be here waiting for

Thinking about starting soya isoflavones on Day 3. Got them now but just keep looking at them and wondering. But don't want to mess up things with fertility clinic. Anyone any thoughts? How do clinics react to people taking these things?

 

[lisaf]

I think the clinic would definitely NOT want you on the soy.

 

[GillAwaiting]

I think the clinic would definitely NOT want you on the soy.

I guess I will just have to keep looking at them and wondering! Out of curiosity do you think it's because they wouldn't want me messing with my hormones and they just generally take a dim view of people meddling with their cycles? I have to make the decision in the next few days. I could get a cycle in before the clinic but maybe it's just a step too far. Still no sign of

Bodies are amazing things. Doing exactly the opposite of what you want them to do!!

 

[lisaf]

I think its because they will want a look at what your body is doing without any outside influence. I don't think the B vitamins will be doing anything that would affect their tests, but the last thing you want is to get undesireable results, then have to re-do them because of the concerns that soy caused an anomoly.
If you get the bloodwork done on CD3 you could probably start soy that day as long as it was after the blood was drawn though. Are they doing any other bloodwork this cycle? A CD21 test?
If so, then maybe leave the soy for next time... because you want them to see if you are having a true progesterone problem and if the soy helps at all it may confuse things.

 

[Allie84]

Well, I'm confused.....

Last cycle, no soy or B-Vits, I had a post 7dpo progesterone level of 9.6 (the way the US measures it, I know the UK is different).

This cycle I took soy and a B-50 complex, and ovluated earlier. I went in for 7dpo progesterone again and it it's only 4 or 7 (I got ther results in the mail and cannot read his handwriting...will call tomorrow)!

I am currently 13dpo with no AF, so my luteal phase is long enough. I'm really confused as to why my progesterone got WORSE!?!

There is a possibility FF is wrong and I was only 5dpo when I got the test done (if I go by OPKs and CBFM instead of temps). But would 5dpo make that much of a difference?

 

[lisaf]

Hmm, well progesterone CAN vary from cycle to cycle... mostly because its related to follicle size and that can be different from cycle to cycle for no good reason at all.
looking at your chart I can see why FF picked the date they did. I don't really see CD 24 as a good O date, but maybe CD27? OPK makes that unlikely and I'm not too famliar with CBFM...

If your level was a 7, then it could definitely be that off just because it was a few days off.
I usually got to 6 ish on my tests... when I went early because of a weekend/holiday, it was only 4.2.

I think it might help you get some more attention from your doctors though?
If you get a BFP or when AF shows it may help you figure out when you actually ovulated...

 

[Allie84]

Well if it was the 27th then I didn't BD on the right days. I stopped OPKs after the initial positive, and I actually stopped the monitor after 2 peaks, and stopped checking CP as I was so convinced I was ovulating, trusting the 'tools.' I guess it's hard to say.

If AF arrives tomorrow, I'll know FF is right but if not, then I think it's wrong.

Thanks Lisa, you are very knowledgable about progesterone!

 

[LiSa2010]

hello all, i'm new to B&B.
I just bought my Vitamin B-50. can't wait to start them. I've heard so many good things about taking this vitamin so it's worth a try.

good luck all.

 

[GillAwaiting]

I think its because they will want a look at what your body is doing without any outside influence. I don't think the B vitamins will be doing anything that would affect their tests, but the last thing you want is to get undesireable results, then have to re-do them because of the concerns that soy caused an anomoly.
If you get the bloodwork done on CD3 you could probably start soy that day as long as it was after the blood was drawn though. Are they doing any other bloodwork this cycle? A CD21 test?
If so, then maybe leave the soy for next time... because you want them to see if you are having a true progesterone problem and if the soy helps at all it may confuse things.

Thanks Lisa. It's great to have this thread. There is nobody else I can really talk to about this stuff. My DH tries to keep up and nods appropriately but I know he is a bit lost. My apt to actually see someone isnt until the 21st of Dec. They send you for some testing first so there is something to work with at the first meeting. They are not including the 21 dpo test as I had it done already. Doing the 3 dpo tests tomorrow even though it's officially day 2. There is no testing on Saturdays so they recommended going tomorrow. I think I will start the soy tomorrow after the tests. Tossed and turned over this decision but I'll give it a shot for one cycle. The B Complex has done wonders for my cycle. I got a luteal phase of 14 days this time! Period came on day 15. Incredible. I can't believe it. Did get very very very light spotting on 2 days but waay less than I had gotten previously. It was barely there I was just being extra vigilant. herself has been remarkably better. Sorry for TMI but there is more there if you know what I mean and better flow. (Sorry! Just thought someone might find that useful!!) and the pains have been so much better. Been able to function without painkillers for the last cycle and this one. I really feel the B Complex has brought my whole cycle back to some decent shape. Now I have questions about the soy. Maybe I should hike on over to the soy thread..
On the off chance anyone here knows, the Holland & Barrett Soy is 23mgs each, so I will have to take a lot of them. Do people take them all in one go or stretch them out over the course of the day?

 

[lisaf]

hmm, I never used soy, but definitely find some soy girls who can help you with that!

I know what you mean! It took forever for me to get DH to listen well to what I was trying to explain to him.. I leared to use the word cervical fluid instead of mucus... because if I said mucus he ended the conversation
Even after everything I explained to him I'd still be shocked when I found out how little he understood what I'd told him and how wrong some of his TTC knowledge was.
He did understand the OPKs... dark line = get ready for tonight, lol!!!

That sounds fantastic that your flow was better! The longer LP and better flow seem to indicate a better lining... which the lining is supported by progesterone so it sounds like you had a good hormone level on this past cycle!

 

[GillAwaiting]

hello all, i'm new to B&B.
I just bought my Vitamin B-50. can't wait to start them. I've heard so many good things about taking this vitamin so it's worth a try.

good luck all.

I couldn't recommend it enough. Been taking B50, didnt go any higher and although it took a while, it's really made a difference. Good luck with it! Keep us posted how you get on.

 

[lisaf]

My new B-vits smell really really nasty I picked up another brand because it was more convenient since I was already at the drug store... now tempted to throw them out and buy a different brand because the smell is so gross.
I remember someone talking about how bad hers smelled a while back.. guess I found the same formula!

 

[LiSa2010]

Thanks Gill, i recently had a m/c and i'm practically done spotting from my natural m/c. it was a chemical pregnancy (blighted ovum). i have 1 child, she's 15yrs old, planning her Sweet 16 already. she's always wanted a baby brother/sister, mostly a brother , but it hasn't happened. she was my first pregnancy. I've had 3 mcs (including this one) after her and my bloodwork is good except that i've never had my Progesertone tested and i think that may be my problem, it may me too low to carry my baby past 7 weeks. i ovulate every month although never charted anything but i know i that i do b/c i get all the symptoms of ovulating BUT i will be charting my temps and charting everything from now on b/c i want this bean to stick. i will also be taking EPO for more CM, a girl can never have too much, right, as well as trying Emerita Prosgesterone cream. i have a GYN exam next Wed for HCG bloodwork follow up to make sure I've passed everything and that my levels are at 0. She also mentioned to go back to the specialist that I've gone to before for other reasons but she said that now that i've had 3 mcs, i should go back as well as my husband for testing. for now i will doing the following at least through the holidays, i'm still a little emotional from my mc. my daughter is from a previous relationship and this baby would have been mine and my husband's first child. we were so torm when we found out my HCG levels were dropping. BUT I will be making an appt with the specialist early next year.

my plan for the rest of the year:
*Chart Temps every morning starting Saturday (spotting should be gone, hopefully)
*Prenatal vits
*EPO
*Progesertone cream
*Vitamin B complex
*BDing every other or 3rd day BUT during O time, it's every day..

Thank you ladies, i haven't read the whole thread but i'm going to continue, just wanted to write and say there's another one on board taking vit Bs.

good luck all!!!

and to everyone TTC

sorry for the long story

hello all, i'm new to B&B.
I just bought my Vitamin B-50. can't wait to start them. I've heard so many good things about taking this vitamin so it's worth a try.

good luck all.

I couldn't recommend it enough. Been taking B50, didnt go any higher and although it took a while, it's really made a difference. Good luck with it! Keep us posted how you get on.

 

[minkysouth1]

Hey Lisa2010,

I had an early m/c at the end of September and naturally felt quite down about it for a while, but found that taking a few steps towards 'controlling' my fertility was really therapeutic. You've got a really positive and proactive approach to the future, which should hopefully help you get through the next few weeks. I hope it works out for you soon and you get your BFP with a sticky bean. Lots of

Minky X

 

[nypage1981]

Hello Vitamin B ladies- Ive got a question.
I just started the B50 complex half way through this last cycle before O...I didnt know you were supposed to wait until only after Ovulation? Or can you take it the whole cycle. I heard somewhere else that taking it the whole cycle is fine....and take it while pregnant too or it could cause early MC....so to reword my question- am I fine to take my b vitamin my whole cycle? Thanks! Oh, and yes, my b vitamins smell so terrible and they taste even worse....i HAVE to take them with OJ, its the only thing that masks the taste or else I will most likely puke right away. ICK. My prenatals have never smelled or tasted bad to me but these are horrrrrible!

 

[lisaf]

nypage - try a different brand next time... I've never had a brand smell so bad as this one!
I took mine for my whole cycle and am still on them!
Its fine to start mid-cycle but you don't have to stop it during your 2ww like some other supplements.
Many doctors even suggest a B6 or B-complex vitamin to help counteract morning sickness (and boy, I'd hate to think what mine would have been like if the B vits are helping to keep mine down!)

 

[nypage1981]

Ok good, I feel better...I thought on here I read someone only starting at ovulation day....have you heard Lisa that it may cause MC to quit when you find out youre preg? Somewhere I heard maybe to slowly weane off at 12 weeks but no sooner.....is this maybe true?
I noticed this month I was pretty much crampy from the day of ovulation...and every day after that....does anyone have experience with that when first starting the B vits? That and EPO are the only 2 things I did this month that were new so I was trying to figure out where all the cramping was coming from....

 

[lisaf]

Bvits, when taken to increase progesterone (low progesterone is one cause of short LPs etc) may be helpful while pregnant to keep those levels up. For the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, progesterone is very important... after that the placenta takes over.
So theoretically, yes, if your body needs the Bvits to make sufficient progesterone, then stopping the vitamin suddenly could cause a drop in progesterone that could cause your lining to shed and a MC.

BUT, the effect of B vits doesn't seem to be THAT strong. I think its more that if your levels were borderline, the B vits might keep them up just enough to keep the pregnancy healthy.

Someone on here once mentioned an ingredient that is in the B-complex that some data has shown to cause mild uterine cramping which could cause a miscarriage.
But again, I and many other pregnant women are on B vitamins/complexs while pregnant and have no issues.
I think the effect of all of it, both good or potential bad is very mild.

 

[nypage1981]

Is vitamin C in the complex ok? I read a few pages back I think you all were discussing it but im not sure what the concensus was.

 

[lisaf]

Ummm, I've read that you shouldn't exceed 1000mg of vitamin C a day (including food sources) So it depends on how much is in your complex.