Progesterone supplements???

[Zoe2B]

I've read a lot of posts here that women are given progesterone supplements in the early weeks, to help with implantaion. What I'm wondering, is why my DR didn't do that with me. All they did was the HcG blood test - my HCG was 65.5 at just under 4 weeks from LMP. Then they scheduled me for the u/s at 6 weeks from LMP (this weds... yay!).  Are progesterone supplements only prescribed when there have been previous implantation problems, or is is protocal (with some DR's) for women over 35? Now I'm worrying that maybe I don't have enough natural progesterone... and time is a wasting if that's true, especially since I could have been given supplements.

[pcarsey]

Have you had your progesterone level tested? They normally give it if your *progesterone* level is low. has nothing to do with HCG. progesterone plays the roll in keeping the lining thick. If you get a progesterone test and it is low then I would think your doctor would put you on something extra. When did you have your HCG done that it was 65.5? And have you had any more betas done since then? Good luck on your ultrasound!! I'm having mine done Tuesday. By my LMP I should be about 8 weeks on Monday, But I'm thinking I am a late ovulator so I'm guessing I'm not that far along.

Patty

[Zoe2B]

I called my DR when I had a positive hpt, so I could get it confirmed with a blood test. So as far as I know, all they tested for was HCG to determine if I was pregnant. WHen the blood was drawn it was exactly 4 weeks since my LMP. When the nurse called me with the results, she said "you are definately pregnant, your  HCG level was 65.5 and that's really good". I didn't know anything about progesterone otherwise I would have asked her if they checked for that as well.  Does 65.5 at 4 weeks say anything about implantaion being successful??
Wow, your u/s is on Tuesday. Yay! Please post how it goes! I will be thinking of you and sending positive energy your way!

[Tanker Chic]

Yes, hcg does not go up until after implantation.  For early pg 65 is very good.  Congrats!!

Progesterone goes up after ovulation.  In some situations, the Dr already knows the woman has low progesterone so she takes progesterone supplements starting at O, and the end time depends on whether or not she gets pg.  

In my situation my progesterone was normal but started to drop rapidly during early pg.  So my dr put me on supplements until week 12 of my pregnancy.  

Congrats and good luck with your pg.  If you havent' had any problems, I wouldn't worry about it.  Enjoy!!  

[Zoe2B]

thanks for the info! It makes me feel much more at ease. Whew! So at some point during your early pregnancy, your DR took a progesterone test to see how it was... and that's when they learned that it was dropping rapidly?
Thanks again. I feel much better about not knowing what my progesterone level is.

[RunningL8]

Maybe I'm only going to muddy the waters here....I think at 43, you might want to ask for a progesterone test, as progesterone tends to be low in women after 40.  (Unlike ob-gyns, Reproductive Endocrinologists routinely do a progesterone test with every HCG test.)  If your progesterone level is low, it doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem with the pregnancy.  But since there is no harm in using progesterone suppositories, why not see if you need them?  My RE had me use them even though my initial progesterone level was 21, which was still normal.  The progesterone from the suppositories is absorbed directly by the uterus and may not show an increase in your blood levels, so  doctors assume your progesterone is higher than a blood test may indicate once you start the supplements.  Hope all continues to go well for you!