Vitamin B6 - Lengthen luteal phase or increase progesterone

[YomsYoms]

Congratulations Momo!!

 

[bubbles81]

Thanks all. How did the scan go Bubbles xx

Scan went great! Saw babys heartbeat n measured 7&1/2 weeks which is spot on so feel alot happier now! x

 

[MOMO1974]

Yay brilliant news xx

 

[Khloeee]

Great news about your scan Bubbles. Will you have another in a few weeks time or is that it now until the 12 week scan?

I had my 12 week scan yesterday. All is fine, which is such a relief. This baby was a lot more chilled than my son was at this scan, so I was a bit worried until I saw some definite movement on the screen!

I know a lot of people (like me) find this thread and then obsessively read back in search of B6 success stories, so I'm going to post a rather long recap for the benefit of anyone who would like to read my whole story in one place. Sorry for anyone who knows all of this already, feel free to skip my essay below!


History: 1st pregnancy was unplanned, so I assume I had no trouble conceiving. Started TTC number 2 when my son was 18 months old.

2nd pregnancy: Conceived straight away, but had bleeding as soon as I got my BFP. hCg tests showed doubling and a good level, but had more bleeding and eventually had MC at 6.5 weeks.

Started OPKs and over the next 3 cycles I realised I had an LP of 7-8 days. Not sure whether this was a result of the MC or had been that way for a while, but I suspect the latter. When I started thinking about it, I found links between weird symptoms I'd had since my son was born and low progesterone (had really bad postnatal hair loss that didn't stop until my son was a toddler, fainting episodes around AF time...none of this rang alarm bells until I started thinking about short LPs, etc.)

3rd pregnancy: It took 4 cycles to conceive again. But it was a chemical pregnancy and I started bleeding at 5.5 weeks.

I was devastated. I thought the first MC was my 'one-off' and I had really assumed that this next pregnancy was it. I bought up all supplements known to help increase progesterone / lengthen LP / regulate cycles.

From CD1 I took B-100 complex, 800mg Agnus Castus (took a half dose as had heard it might not be helpful for someone with a regular cycle – my cycles were always regular, just had a very short LP), and 500mg of vit C. I took these things throughout my whole cycle, but stopped the AC after ovulation.

Within the first few days I got achey boobs (which I never get). I took this as a sign that the vits were doing something. I wasn't sure if this was a good thing, but in hindsight I think this might have been my estrogen receptors finally waking up and doing what they were meant to do – regulating my high estrogen levels thus allowing my progesterone levels to rise in the 2nd half of my cycle.

I didn't ovulate at my usual time (CD14/15). On CD18, OPKs looked like they were gearing up to a positive, but were negative again by the next day (I usually have 2 days of positive OPKs). I thought I hadn't ovulated, and I wondered whether b-100 complex was too high a dose for me. But after a few days Fertility Friend was showing a sustained thermal shift. (Note – from talking to people in this thread, it seems quite common that the B vits can mess with OPK results / test line never gets that dark).

During this time, I went for the 7DPO progesterone test. I went on exactly 7DPO (according to fertility friend). Whilst waiting for these results, I got a BFP. Then a call from my GP to tell me that my progesterone results had come back very low and I definitely hadn't ovulated. Obviously, I knew I had ovulated as I got pregnant this cycle, but it did confirm my suspicions that I had low progesterone.

However, I'm in the UK and doctors here won't give you progesterone supplements, it's unheard of unless you are seeing a fertility specialist... and you don't get a referral to see a specialist until you've had 3 miscarriages, so I braced myself for another MC due to my low progesterone levels.

The next 11 or so weeks were the longest of my life, but I had no bleeding. I've now been for my 12 week scan and all is well.

I have carried on taking the B vits and vit C, but stopped the Agnus castus at ovulation. Once I realised I was PG, I switched out my B complex for 100mg B6 and 100mg B12, as I read that the levels of Niacin (B3) in b-100 complex were too high to take during pregnancy. Niacin is the stuff that makes your pee bright yellow, so I was a bit panicky when that stopped until I googled and realised it was because I'd stopped the high levels of B3. I also started taking Pregnacare. Slowly throughout the first trimester I reduced the levels of B6 and B12 that I was taking. At 7 weeks I dropped down to 85mg, and then at 10 weeks I dropped down to 60mg (a 50mg B6 and the 10mg of B6 that's in my pregnacare), I'm currently still taking this dose and plan to reduce down to just the Pregnacare after 16 weeks.

I also took cod liver oil and royal jelly for about a week before my BFP, but I don't think these had time to do anything. I believe that the B6 played the main part in helping to balance my hormones enough to sustain a pregnancy, and possibly the Vit C too as that's meant to be good at raising progesterone.

In summary, I got PG the next cycle after a chemical, and on the first cycle I started taking B complex. It could all be coincidence and maybe my body was finally 'just ready', but after two miscarriages and an LP of no more than 7 or 8 days over 5 cycles, I really think that B6 helped me stay pregnant.

 

[HWPG]

thank you for hte update khloee - i'm def one of those stalkers looking for POSITIVE results! congrats! H&H 9months to you!

 

[Baby lover]

Hi everybody, I am new to this thread and this is the first time that I have ever posted on one of these forums. Anyway my story is that I think I may have a short luteal phase although I have not actually been diagnosed with this. I came off bc in January and my luteal phase has ranged between 7 and 11 days never consistent. Anyway I started to take vitamin b6 which did seem to help. In October after 8 months of trying I finally got a BFP I was over the moon. Unfortunatley on Monday of this week after some spotting that turned into heavy bleeding I Unfortunatley miscarried. I was 9 and a half weeks pregnant however when I had my emergency scan it was confirmed that my baby had stopped developing at 6 weeks. I am now wondering if this miscarriage was caused as a result of the LPD or would this not have anything to do with my miscarriage seen as I actually got pregnant and managed to sustain my pregnancy for a few weeks. As I thought an LPD only affected the implantation which I understand takes place around 6-12 days after conceptions. Any information and answers would be greatly appreciated. Some of your stories are so promising! Baby dust to all. X x x

 

[YomsYoms]

HWPG, I'm so sorry AF arrived. Are you okay? x

Khloeeee, fantastic post. I've read through people's 'stories' by searching through the whole thread so this will be very helpful to myself and others. I'm currently taking B50 and 500mg of vitamin C (as I'd also heard it could help progesterone), and pregnacare. Planning to increase B50 to B100 next month, and then maybe add in AC. I'm so pleased it worked for you and congratulations on your 12 weeks scan

Hi Baby Lover, I'm so sorry about your mc Take lots of time to grieve. I'm sorry that I don't know the answers to your concerns

 

[HWPG]

Thanks yomyoms. I was devastated the first two days - doing that 'almost breaking into tears when someone says how are you today?' especially because my sister found out she is having a girl the same day - so now she has one of each (already has a boy), and she's had the first grandchild, and the first grandchild of each sex, and all I want is a daughter, and now my daughters going to get all hand me downs, IF I ever have a child (whoa, apparently still recovering....!) so globally, yes I,m ok, still absorbing and processing, moving on into November. Thanks for asking! Hahha, bet you didn't expect that answer!

 

[YomsYoms]

Aww, HWPG xx I totally understand the tears. Sometimes you just need a good old weep, whether it's an appropriate time or place, or not! I get upset about other people being pg too, even people I don't know. I think my sister is trying for a second so trying to mentally prepare for an announcement at some point, but I don't think it will make it easier. That competition element makes it so much harder too.

I'm 9DPO and the spotting is BAD today so now accepting that I'm definitely out this month. Planning 100mg B-vits next month and a date night of steak & wine next week Only 15 days until my ultrasound and that's what I'm focusing on for now.

 

[Baby lover]

Can anybody shed any light on if a luteal phase defect would cause a miscarriage at 9 weeks? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Khloeee]

Hi baby lover - in all honesty, I'm not sure. Looking at my two MC's with luteal phase defect, I think the first clearly didn't implant right, because I had bleeding from the very start as soon as I got a BFP. The second, I'm not sure - there was no bleeding until 6.5 weeks, at which point I would have assumed implantation would have already occured. In my head I blame my progesterone hormones not kicking in for this MC, rather than impantation not happening. But really I can only guess.

Your MC might not have been connected to LPD, and it's so frustrating that we can't know the answers for sure, but I'd say with an inconsistant LP of between 7 - 11 days, it can't hurt to try and lengthen / regulate your cycle a bit more. Might be worth trying B vits.

 

[Baby lover]

Thank you for reply Khloeee it's so frustrating when all you want is an answer. I am at the doctors again tomorrow morning so I will ask the question again to see if I can get a better response. At the time of my miscarriage I spoke to a doctor and a midwife who both confirmed that short luteal phase would not be the cause of a miscarriage as once you receive your BFP implantation has already taken place. I am not to sure though. Every time I ask the question doctors seem to look at me like I have got 2 heads and do not seem very clued up about LPDs. Ah well back on with the b6 this month in the hope of another BFP preferably a sticky one this time. Dreams can come true!! Much love to every one trying I know myself how difficult it is. Xxx

 

[Baby lover]

Only just seen that you are currently pregnant khloeee, congratulations! Did you manage to conceive naturally even with an LPD, you are 14 weeks too. Wow that's fab! Bet u are soo happy!

 

[Khloeee]

Personally, I think what the doctors told you is balls, as I got BFPs and then miscarried and pretty sure it was to do with LPD. You are right, they aren't always as clued up as we are - I had some GPs tell me some outright incorrect information too, so frustrating.

I conceived this pregnancy the cycle straight after a chemical pregnancy. The cycle before that my LP was a regular 7 or 8 days, so I can only put it down to B vits helping my LP enough to sustain a pregnancy. If you look a couple of pages back I explained my whole story/history - I am really happy and after 2 MCs I still can't really believe it, still quite nervous really!

 

[Baby lover]

Yes I have had a read through your story, I bet you are soo happy that this pregnancy seems to be going well. Can I ask how much and what b vits you are taking? Have u carried on taking them now that you are pregnant? Sorry for all the questions! Sometimes I get more info on these forums then I do from my doctor!xx

 

[Khloeee]

I started off on b-100 complex, then switched to just B6 and B12 when I got my BFP, and I've been slowly reducing the quantities every three weeks or so. I'm currently on 25mg B6 plus the 10mg that's in Pregnacare, and I have maybe about two weeks of tablets left so will probably stop the B6 after that and just take pregnacare.

 

[Coolstar]

Hi ladies,hope i can join in.I am ttc from last 12 cycles and i was diagnosed with a very low progesterone of just 2.4.It means that i don't ov.I have started with b-100 complex from this cycle.Anyone who is or was in the same position ?

 

[YomsYoms]

Hi coolstar, Sorry to hear you've been trying for a while now.
I think B vitamins helps improve hormone levels once you've ovulated, but if you're not ovulating at all then I don't know what use it is I'm afraid. I think you need to try something to get ovulation going instead. Do you temp? As I have found that useful to confirm ovulation. Maybe try soy isoflavones (can't spell it though sorry!!)?
If you have been diagnosed as having no ovulation then maybe your doctor will prescibe clomid to get things going? x

 

[Nola0841]

YomsYoms when are you testing? I was thinking about testing at 12DPO. Or do you personally think that's too soon?

 

[YomsYoms]

Hi Nola! I stupidly tested this morning!! It was negative on an internet cheapy.

I'm a chronic spotter though and have been bleeding for last 10 days so would find it hugely unlikely that I could even get pregnant. I'm taking B vits more to solve that problem than specifically lengthen LP (which is 11-12 days so not horrendous!)

I don't think 12DPO is too early to test with first morning urine. A First Response or Clear Blue should work find by now (not sure if you have those brands in the US, I just mean not anything too cheap). Good luck! Your chart is looking good so far!