progesterone question? Please tell what u know.....

[Nadia77]

I keep reading on this forum pregnant  mums with low progesterone and how taking med to increase the level has helped them save their babies..... its great stuff..... I want to know can progesterone level be tested at home? or do I have to ask the DR to do a test if so would they do it for anyone regardless of how many miscarriage they previously had? I need to know because i had a m/s before and it was never investigated by them and told me only if I have 3 or more then they will investigate!!...so was wondering can I at least help preventing another miscarriage when i get pregnant if is progesterone related? how do i test ???? Thanks ladies

[Nadia77]

woooow heather that cool.. i hope this is your month to get a healthy pregnancy.... i will start trying after my feb period... this is because i am waiting on some  health tests and results (not related) to miscarriage) just don't want to risk another miscarriage with poor health... they keep finding blood in my urine ( not visible with single eye) but can not find the cause, its over 1 year and 6 months now.... keep me posted. will keep you in my prayers... lots of baby dust to you :-)

[Heather5]

Thanks, Nadia! I just started trying again a couple of months ago. I'm currently in the 2WW, so we'll see what happens this month.

Hopefully 2008 will bring us both some good news!

[Nadia77]

sorry about your losses heather:-( the missed miscarriage i guess was the biggest shock! have you tried again after your last miscarriage?

[Heather5]

Oh, I'm so sorry, Nadia! I've had two miscarriages myself, one was a missed miscarriage at 8 weeks (similar to yours...the baby just stopped growing) and one at 6 1/2 weeks, which was a spontaneous miscarriage at home. I know how emotionally draining it can be...and it is frustrating not knowing why it happened. My levels were checked early on in my second pregnancy, since I had a previous miscarriage, and it was 9, so I was put on progesterone, but miscarried anyway about a week later...

I think it's definitely worth a try, though. When you get pregnant again, have them check your progesterone and HCG levels right away, and if your progesterone is low, ask if you can get a prescription for a supplement. Like I said, it won't hurt, and it can possibly help prevent another miscarriage.

Good luck to you!

[Nadia77]

thanks heather :-) with my prevous pregnancy i was sent for u/s check ups to ensure baby was growing fine this was done at week 5, 6 & 7 but they never did any blood test to see whether the pain and the spotting had any other common cause.... after when the baby's heartbit was confirmed at 7 weeks they stopped any further scans despite my spotting and the pain which continued ...and at 12 weeks routine scan they found out that the baby had died at 8 1/2 weeks!

[Heather5]

Hi Nadia,

If you want to check your progesterone levels it has to be at the doctor's office. It's a blood test that is usually performed 7 days after ovulation (in a regular 28-day cycle that would be on day 21). A number of 10 or more is considered good.

In early pregnancy, they like to see a number of 12 or more.

The problem about progesterone in early pregnancy, is that it is hard to tell whether someone is having a miscarriage because their progesterone levels are too low...OR the REASON the levels are low  is because the pregnancy is not viable in the first place. However, many doctors will prescribe progesterone anyway, since it won't hurt...and could possibly help!

Take care of yourself...hopefully you'll get pregnant again soon and have a healthy, happy nine months!

[Nadia77]

Thanks for your input... the problem is that in the u.k they don't even check hcg levels ... with my previous pregnancy i was sent to do 3 u/s at different weeks due to the pain and spotting which i was experiencing but never had any blood test done... I remember after doing a home pregnancy test went to my DR to confirm but she refused to do it and said if you have done it at home there is no need to do another....not very helpful..

[ftogirl]

You should be able to ask your doctor to test your progesterone levels to make sure they are high enough when you go in for your first visit when you are pregnant.  I think they usually automatically check that along with your hcg levels, etc. when they do your initial bloodwork.  

[Nadia77]

thanks for your input babydream.... appreciated...

[babydreams9]

I don't think you can test progesterone levels at home. It would be a good idea for you to talk to your doctor about your concerns, and see if they can do some sort of test, or tell you when you could. Unforunately, mc's are so common that doctors don't like to put you on hormones until they're sure you really need them - taking something your body does NOT need can cause an equal amount of problems. I had a mc last fall and know how painful it is; I'm sorry for your loss, and I wish you the very best with your future pregnancy(s)!!

[Nadia77]

Any input????