progesterone

[joycemiller]

Hi,

I have one child and have recently had two miscarriages in a row.  I was told I could use progesterone the next time I am pregnant to see if that will help carry the baby to term.   I asked if there were tests to see if my progesterone level was low, and I was told there were none.  Is this true?  Are there any negatives to being on a progesterone suppository if my levels are fine, and this turns out not to be the reason I am miscarrying?  If there is a test, do you take it before you are pregnant or while you are pregnant?  Thank you.

[socgirl]

there is a test to check progesterone levels.  They can test it using a blood test.  However, I believe you have to have the test done on a certain day of your cycle.  I think cd21, but it might depend on how long your cycles are.  Ideally, you should have this done before pregnancy and then you would take progesterone suppositories either during the 2ww or as soon as you find out you're pregnant (not sure).  If your doc won't help you with this, then i would find another doctor.  Goodluck

[TEXASQT]

I had a miscarriage due to low progesterone levels.  They can check for it after you find out that you are pregnant.  If I remember correctly, they like to see it 20 or above and it should continue to increase - although not double like HCG.  I had to use progesterone suppositories with my son and am having to use Prochieve 8% for this pregnancy for the first 12 weeks.  To my knowlege, there is no harm in using it either way.  Everything I've read on the internet says that there is no proof that progesterone will prevent a miscarriage.  I tend to disagree.  I would have lost my son very early on if I had not used it.  My level started at 15,went down to 13 in 2 days.  Using the progesterone suppositories elevated it to the higher normal range and everything was fine.  Hope this helps.

[bny807]

What socgirl said was right, they have a blood test and its best done 5-7 days after you ovulate to check your levels. Most miscarriages from low progesterone happen fairly early (4-9weeks) from what I've heard. I've heard doctors say take progesterone from the time you get a bfp on, and others put you on it after O (I had one chemical pregnancy and the only reason I knew was because I tested 5 days before my period, then started spotting and then was 2 days late for AF and the test was negative, I have low progesteron) so I personally like the idea of being on progesterone from the time you ovulate just to make sure the bean sticks if it gets fertilized!   Good luck!

[ashort]

I have also had 2 m/cs.  My last m/c I was put on progesterone b/c mine was low...8.26.  Unfortunately, I still had a m/c.  I'm not sure if it was low with my first b/c it was never checked.  They say it helps you carry the baby.  I can tell you mine progesterone definately increased when they put me on it.  I also did not know I m/c b/c the progesterone made me keep having symptoms of being preg. and I had no cramping or bleeding.  Good luck you !  

[Heather5]

To check your progesterone in a regular cycle, you need to have a blood test done 7 days after ovulation (in a 28-day cycle, that would be cycle day 21). Anything over 10 is considered sufficient. In early pregnancy, doctors like to see levels of at least 12 (and like TEXASQT said, it will generally increase as you get further along).

My levels were also low before my last miscarriage. I think they were around 9. I was also put on supplements, but miscarried anyway. The problem, though, is that it's hard to tell whether the miscarriage was caused by low progesterone, or whether the REASON the progesterone was low was because it wasn't a viable pregnancy to begin with. However, from what I've heard there's no harm in taking additional progesterone, and that's why most doctors will prescribe supplements if the levels are low...just in case.

Hope that helps :-)