Normal HCG and Falling progesterone levels

[DeeDee74]

I am currently 5 weeks pregnant with my 4th pregnancy.  I have 2 children and have had 2 miscarriages.  Last weeks I had my HCG levels drawn. (1st: 434 2nd: 1000)  I also had 2 progesterone levels drawn. (1st: 26 2nd: 19.3)  I am concerned about the sudden fall in progesterone levels.  My MD insists I am fine , however I was on progesterone supplements with my last pregnancy that went to term.  

My MD is not planning on doing anymore follow-up and my next appt is in 4 weeks.  This makes me very uncomfortable.  

Do you think a second opinion is necessary?
Do you think I should be on supplements?
Is it normal for progesterone levels to change?

Any advise would be helpful.

[Christie2004]

I probably sound like a broken record, but progesterone levels vary so much that they are not terribly helpful.  If you had them drawn 4 different times in one day, you would get 4 very different results.

Most of the time, progesterone needs to be prescribed from the time you ovulate until about 12-14 weeks.  If you don't take it from ovulation time on, and have a serious deficiency, the pregnancy may be lost before you even miss a period.  A progesterone deficiency such as this is rare.  

OB's prescribe it mostly because women want it and it probably won't hurt anything.  If a woman loses a baby once, goes on progesterone the next time and that pregnancy works, she often credits progesterone with making the difference.  That woman may tell others of her experience with progesterone "saving" the baby, and the next woman may ask for it.  Hence you read many, many stories of the miracle of progesterone supplements.

The truth is (usually) that a healthy normal pregnancy in a healthy woman will not need  the supplementation.  If a pregnancy is not right, taking progesterone may prolong the process of miscarriage.

Many pregnancies fail, and no one knows why.  If it would make you feel better to be on it, by all means insist.  As I said, it probably won't hurt anything.  

[DeeDee74]

Thank you for posting.  I have done a fair amount of research regarding the subject and I have read exactly what you have posted. However, strangly enough my last pregnancy went to term with progesterone versus the two prior without.  
P.S.  I had a repeat progesterone level and it was 20.9!!!!  


Thanks again.

[Clarter]

Progesterone levels do vary a lot.  I had one on Friday which was 15.4.  I had another one yesterday which was 12.4.  It decreased in just a few days.  I started taking progesterone after the first test so after I started taking it, it decreased.  I will be 5 weeks on Thursday. You should feel good about a 19 this early in your pregnancy.
My doctor says that 12.4 is still within reasonable number.

The HCG is the most important number to really watch.  If it keeps increasing, you are in good shape.

From test 1 to test 2, my hcg went from 306 to 1525 which is really good--it increased 5 times.

[Clarter]

Progesterone levels do vary a lot.  I had one on Friday which was 15.4.  I had another one yesterday which was 12.4.  It decreased in just a few days.  I started taking progesterone after the first test so after I started taking it, it decreased.  I will be 5 weeks on Thursday. You should feel good about a 19 this early in your pregnancy.
My doctor says that 12.4 is still within reasonable number.

The HCG is the most important number to really watch.  If it keeps increasing, you are in good shape.

From test 1 to test 2, my hcg went from 306 to 1525 which is really good--it increased 5 times.

[Hopefulaz]

I am 5 1/2-6 weeks pregnant based on first ultra sound. Had light brown spotting x 2 days after sexual intercourse and then had transvaginal ultra sound. Next day I was cramping and resulted in red like period blood. Went to doctors and cervix was closed as of 2 days ago. Cramping has subsided and bleeding has slowed but now I am on prometrium for progesterone level of 1.9. Have follow up ultra sound Monday and back
to doctors on Tuesday. Any hopeful souls that think I may be safe? I can't think about anything but this and worry the more I'm on the Internet.

[Hopefulaz]

Can the bleeding be a result of the transvaginal ultrasound or CSM
it b due to low progesterone levels. Doctors keep telling they can't conclude without followups but it is painful waiting. I'd rather just
know now.