Dropping progesterone

[first time mommy]

I'm really nervous, please help. This is my first pregnancy and I have a dropping progesterone level. I'm 6 weeks pregnant. Here are my values:

9/29- HCG 51.Progesterone 24
10/04- HCG 650. Progesterone 26

10/12- HCG 11,800. Progesterone 19

I know my HCG is good, but should I be concerned that the progesterone will continue to drop. Not sure what causes it to drop. My U/S on 10/12 showed the yolk sack. My MD is not worried and wants to see me in 2 weeks. She will not give me progesterone supplements at this time, even after I insisted. Do you think 2 weeks is too long for a re-check? Is progesterone fluctuations normal?

[Stacie30]

I'd see another dr. Some of them don't believe progesterone supplements will save a pregnancy. Many believe otherwise- including me and several of the women on this board. I'd get a second opinion just to be on the safe side.

[Snugglebum]

Hey, if it were me I would be back at my doctors office like a shot demanding the prometrium progesterone.  The progestrone levels should be up.  It can only help.  I really hope you everything works out ok for you. Please get back to the doctors asap and don't wait 2 weeks.  Sorry for the rant, but I have a major issue with some of these doctors (mine is not long out of med school and knows nothing about PCOS) and the lack of help that you get from them sometimes.   Sometimes, it is up to you to be very proactive to get the help and not wait for them to advise.  Good luck :)

[tami814]

I do not know if it is normal or not, but I've heard of a Progesterone cream where it can be absorbed. Ask your pharmasist if it is safe. I hope you are blessed with a healthy baby!!!

[TinaC.]

Typically, progesterone goes up rather than down.  My doctor said she would put me on it if it was lower than 25.  I am confused why she would not just put you on it to be on the safe side?? as there are no harm even if you dont need it.  I have heard that the cream is not strong enough to make any difference.  Have you considered getting a second opinion?

[Gulli]

I was 6 weeks pregnant and the doctor told me that my progestrone level was 6.0 which was too low. He put me on supplement because I was at a risk of miscarrying. My levels went up in two days after the supplement to 15. The doctor told me I need to be at 15 to have a normal pregnant. I think you are okay. As long as your HCG is going up then I wouldn't worry about it. The problem with me was my HCG didn't go up and I m/c. There's nothing you can do once that happens. If it continues to drop then I would push for the supplement.  I'll pray for you.

[pmom]

i agree, i was 6 weeks pregnant when my levels started dropping and my doctor put me on Prometrium and it help. i am now 19 weeks along. i did have 2 prev. miscarriages and they think one was due to low progesterone and i got pregnant with this one only 2 weeks following the last one. i would def. look in to progesterone supplements whether it be the cream or your doctor puts you on the pill i was on. good luck and i also hope you are blessed with a heathly baby. keep us in touch.
tiffany

[aleeknott]

When I first got pregnant my progesterone was at 32.5.  Which is good.  Then it dropped to 23.  My doctor immediately put me on Prometrium and last time I had it check it was 28.  My doctor says it needs to be at 25 or higher to support a pregnancy.  I have to have my blood drawn once a week to check the level and make sure it's above 25 for 10 weeks.  I would call the doctor and express your concern.  Keep in touch and let us know.  *********Well Baby Dust*********

[wenders]

I agree with everyone here. I had a doc once who refused to believe in progesterone supps and that was my first m/c. I switched docs, who believed so strongly that he put his patients on the injections right after ovulation. I'm now pregnant with twins after 3 m/c's with other docs. If your doc won't prescribe it, i do think the natural creams have been proven to help (and can't hurt). One thing though--the level in your blood really depends on what time of day you had it drawn, and other factors like that. It's possible that if you get it retaken, that it would be back up again. Good luck!
wendy

[hmcdowell1]

I agree too... I was on Progesterone suppositories with my last DD (after 3 m/c) and we ended up having a successful pg.  I am currently 22 wks pg and I am with another doc. who wasn't as willing to prescribe progesterone so I went to the health food store and bought progesterone cream.  I used it twice a day (1/4 tsp) until around 12 wks and everything has gone fine again this time.  

There's plenty of good info out there about the possible benefits of using natural progesterone... and from everything I've read, it certainly can't hurt to try!  If you do try it, I would just make sure you buy one with progesterone USP (and not just wild yam extract).  The wild yam extract is clinically synthesized into progesterone... your body won't convert it on it's own.  

GL!  

[first time mommy]

Hi everyone,
So I went back to my MD and demanded Progesterone supplements. As of 10/17- my progesterone was the same at 19 and HCG at 58000. She seemed reluctant, but give me Prometrium. Now I'm insecure about it. Did anyone here that Prometrium/supplements can delay an inevitible miscarriage? Because if I cannont support this pregnancy on my own, I'd rather miscarry sooner rather than later. Or, do babies born after supplementation have any abnormalities? Did I do the right thing?

[hmcdowell1]

Good for you!

I've asked the same question before too and I've always been told that if you're going to have a m/c, progesterone won't stop you from having one.  It just makes sure that your progesterone level stays up (low levels can cause a m/c in an otherwise healthy pg).  I've known women who have been on progesterone and still had a m/c so no, it won't stop one if it's inevitable.  But... could stop a m/c if low progesterone is your problem...

Let us know and GL!

[suebee5]

Is there any harm to using the progesterone cream "just in case"?  I noticed that the last two months, my periods came late.  So I am wondering if I am "conceiving" and then losing it?  So if I were to just buy the progesterone cream (without having been diagnosed as having a progesterone problem), am I causing trouble, or is it no harm to use it?  I understand you are supposed to apply it a few days after ovulation, and not before?