Quant § Progesterone

[sashuap]

I have PCOS and a history of miscarriages.  I found out I am pregnant last Thursday.  The numbers on my tests were "too low" according to my midwife.  My progesterone was 11 and my Quant was 567. Apparently the progesterone should be closer to 20 and the Quant closer to 567.  I have no idea where to look to find information on these tests.  I've been on prometrieum since Thursday in hopes to bring my progesterone up.  Does anyone have any idea what these numbers mean and what is normal?  I found one site but it was no help because it just said each woman has different numbers during different pregnancies.  I took another blood test this AM.  What should my numbers look like for his to be a legitamate pregnancy?  Anyone?  Please help.  Thanks!

[ripdip]

I have a progesterone problem also.  I know that 11 is cause for concern.  I'm on progesterone treatments, vaginal cream once a night.  I've had 3 recurrent miscarriages 2 b/c of progesterone and 1 b/c of 2 sperm fertilizing one egg.  You should be at least 16 but depending on how far along much higher.  I hope this works for you good luck.

[Niki73]

I was never given my numbers but they check my hcg level with a blood test every other day to make sure it was rising....if your hcg level isn't doubling every 48 hours up to 12weeks then it's usally not a good sign. I too was put on progesterone injections twice a week 200mg each time. I had three miscarriages before trying the progesterone injections and I am a firm believer that they work! I finally delivered a healthy baby girl and I am not 15 weeks pregnant with my second baby again I took the progesterone injections up to my 11 week of pregnancy!!! So I think it is a good sign you are on medication keep taking it- it worked for me!!! I truely thought I wasn't going to be able to have children until I tried the progesterone injections! Good luck!

[sashuap]

Thank you so much for your input.  Reading these posts have kept me sane.  It's the waiting to see how high my Quant has gotten that's killing me.  They say it's not rising fast enough.  Somehow I got my numbers all wrong, on Friday it was 240 on Monday it was 370.  I'm on 200 mg of Progesterone 3 times a day, so maybe it'll catch up.  I haven't had any bleeding or cramping.  I'm just horribly exhausted all the time and feel like I'm gonna throw up any second.  Anyway, thanks for your help and support.

[diggy]

Hi Niki33-- I was just reading your comments in regards to the progestrone... I too have had 3 m/c's- very early ones.  I have had numerous test performed and the doctors still can't give me a reason for the m/c's.  I have been on progestrone (prometrium) and baby asprin since Dec '03.  I have not had any luck getting preggo.  I even had one of the m/c while taking the progestrone.  I am hopeful after reading your comments about progestrone.  Thank you.

[Niki73]

I feel so bad you are going through this also. Mine were early miscarriages also- all before 12 weeks. Did they check your chromosomes and your partners? That was the first big test we did because my doctor was afraid that was the problem and he said it would be a hard one to fix but specialest could help. But like you all of our test came back normal. I could be wrong but ask your doctor because the shots I get I wish I could remember the name of the medication I will ask my doctor again but the shots I get he says are the hcg hormone which helps my body to produce more progesterone...Does that makes sense? I'm getting a needle injection twice a week of the HCG hormone that causes my body to produce more progesterone. I've been reading other comments and I seem to be the only one that has the injections which makes me think it is different from the way you are getting your your progesterone. Ask your doctor because maybe it is different from what you are doing now. Plus he doesn't give me the injections unless he was done the blood test and an ultra sound to make sure it is a viable pregnancy to begin with. These injections help to support the pregnancy up until the 12week because that's when the placenta takes over producing the hormones... I hope this is making sense. Yes don't give up there is hope I was starting to think we would never have a family I was so upset about it and then we tried this and it worked!!!!! I have a girlfriend at work that went through the same thing  so when I miscarried the third time I asked him about it they wanted me to try one more time without tests! No way that is to hard on you. I wish you the very best- did you ever have a heart beat or fetal pole with any of your pregnancies? Did they give you early ultra sounds so they could see if each pregnancy was different or similiar??? I had early ultra sounds which was good because they could tell that it wasn't the same thing happening each time...we had a fetal pole one time and just a sac another time so that made the doctor think it was a chrosome problem because each pregnancy was different not the same thing....I will be thinking of you!!!

[diggy]

Thank you for your comments.  
My m/c happened very early 6 weeks on all 3.  The only way I knew I was preg was by a blood test. Then my levels dropped day by day. It was so early I didn't even need D&C's.  So in a way I was lucky.  But obviously something is happening in that 5th week.  I have had the chromosone tests and my husband also.  And every other test out there.  All were negative.  
I guess that is good- but it keeps me wondering...
The progestrone that I am taking is a pill, which sounds better to me than injections.  I started taking them 2 days after ovulation and continue until I start my period. Or if I do somehow get preggo will continue until the 12th week.  
Good luck to you.  And I hope that I have some luck soon.  My husband and I have been trying for 3.5 years now- no kids.  And needless to say- we are slowly giving up hope.  
Thank you for your words of encouragement!!!

[susanelizabeth]

My progesterone was around 11-12 at 6 weeks and I went on prometrium, I too have PCOS.  I was lucky enough to have never (knock on wood) had any miscarriages before that and I also got pg the first month we tried.  I was VERY lucky.  I ended up having a healthy baby girl (Caitlin) born this past Feb. 13th!  (Friday the 13th actually....  lol)  I no longer think of that day in the same way!  Best of luck to you!

[Niki73]

I know it's expensive but have you thought about maybe going to a specialest? Only because your regular doctor has probably given you all the test that he can and I know specialest can check for so much more! When I became pregnant with my daughter(fourth pregnancy) if things hadn't worked out we were heading to a specialest. I was like you very discouraged. Yes I think it is very good news that it isn't a chromosome problem and the fact that you can get pregnant is good too...they will figure out what it is and you and your husband will have kids. The pills do sound better I was afraid if I drank to much water I would be a sprinkler with all the pricks I had from the injections!!!! Your situation sounds so similiar to mine I can't help but think it's the same thing...I am do to go to my doctor August 18th and I am going to ask him exactly what the name of the medication is that they were injecting me with to help my progesterone and hcg levels....I will get back to you. Keep your hopes up it will happen....

[sashuap]

Thanks susanelizabeth for sharing your experience.  It gives me much hope.  I just went in for anohter blood test, we'll see if my numbers are rising steadily this afternoon.
I have always miscarried between 6-8 weeks.  I've only had one u/s and it was the first preg at 8 weeks, when I was 16.  It was after the fetus was already dead.  Too late to see anything.  I am on prometrium as well, 200mg 3 times a day.  It makes me really dizzy, tired and nauseous.  I wonder if the injections or the pills are more effective.  I havent' gotten the results from my last progesterone levels test.  They have to send that off to a lab and it takes forever (seems like) to get the results.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one, for you and me, diggy.  My husband and I have been trying for 4 years now.  Don't give up.  Everything takes time.

[worried4sis]

Hi All,
I wanted to know if anyone has carried full term being on the progesterone injections. My sister has PCOS and fertility problems. She was put on Clomid twice before and got pregnant with twins, both times. At 20 weeks exactly on both pregnancies she ended up having contractions and having to give birth to 2 babies and watch them die next to her due to them being born at such a early time that there was nothing the doctors could do for them. It was the most heart wrenching thing to watch her and the family go through twice. Well she is pregnant again and this time it was on her own. Her progesterone levels are at normal however her fertility doctor won't take any chances this time and started her on the progesterone shots, once every 2 weeks. Of course I have to give them to her (grrrrrrr). We really hope this works for her. I'm just curious to any good outcomes and bad. Thanks alot and god bless.

[Lizzys]

I found out I was pregnant last Wednesday and couldn't belive it... The first try with IUI. I went for another HCG test on Friday and discovered though that the level had only risen by 40. I read somewhere that this was still ok as it was the lower end of normal... rising 66%. I am still really worried and feel so sad today. I can't wait till my cycle nurse calls and with a plan of action. I read with interest about the HCG injections. Can the doc's really do this to support a pregnancy?