Progesterone level,

  I have been trying to get pregnant for a year with no sucess. I recently had a blood test to check my progesterone level. I was tested on day 26 of my cycle and it was 4 nanograms. Is that unusually low for that day and would that have a factor in why I am not getting pregnant?
Dear Jennifer:
Progesterone rises in the blood following ovulation, peaks on days 5-9, and then declines. Day 26 should be shortly before a menstrual period and one is looking at the downslope which does not help.
A progesterone level is best timed using a basal body temperature record or a urine ovulation kit so we are looking at the peak, and not the up or down slope. A peak value is above 10 ng/ml.
Low progesterone level, luteal phase defect, is one of the causes of difficulty achieving/carrying a pregnancy.
Keywords: progesterone
This information is provided for education purposes only and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.