Progesterone blood test on day of ovulation - why?

[AndiE]

This follows on from my previous thread - I'm pretty sure I've ovulated in the past 24 hours, or will ovulate today. If today, it would be CD19. I'm on 100mg of clomid, so the gyno wanted me to have a blood test on CD21. I rang her office today to ask if I should delay the BT till CD25/26.

The response (given by her secretary) - she wants you to have a blood test today and on Saturday.

The BT form only has "prog" written on it. So won't check for anything else. My understanding is progesterone levels only start to rise AFTER ovulation - so if I've only "just" O'd - or on the cusp - what the hell will the test prove??? And then to have one 3-4 days after O'ing ...? Whatever the case, the progesterone levels 3DPO won't be the same as 7DPO. And surely it's seven days after ovulation that is more accurate.

I'm really lacking faith in this gyno. Her main bread and butter is obstetrics. She doesn't even have the courtesy to speak with me directly.

If anyone else had written this post I'd say "change your doctor". Beyond one more cycle of clomid (if we don't get a BFP this month) I will be ditching her. In fact, I'll get a referral back to the FS I had when TTC #1.

Obviously I have no degree in medicine. But something is just not adding up according to my novice knowledge of hormones post-ovulation.

Is a BT today and in 3 days time really going to tell me anything worthwhile? Surely a BT next Wednesday would be more constructive.

[AndiE]

Bumping this ... on the off-chance anyone can shed some light

[LysnDan]

I was told by my obgyn that you need the progesterone test 7days post ovulation not before and not after. Whilst I was on clomid tracking I needed to have bloods taken from day 7 (clomid days 2-6) and daily measuring lh e2 (estradiol) and progesterone. Then a 7dpo blood test for the same tests..

Are you going through ovulation induction or tracking? Might be something to look into with another obgyn. I'd be switching now and explaining the situation to your gp they can write up the request forms

Best of luck xxx

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[AndiE]

Cheers lynsDan - I'm on first cycle of 100mg of Clomid after my last cycle of 50mg failed to make anything happen.

I actually think I'm going to ignore the instruction to have another BT on Saturday (by my calculation 3-4 DPO). I'll just go and do the next one next Wednesday (7-8 DPO).
If the Dr can't tell me why she wanted the tests done today and Sat, then too bad. I have no relationship with her and no desire to.

[LysnDan]

Sounds like a plan. I'm suprised they haven't organised tracking for you especially being on the higher dose of clomid.

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[nothing2lose]

Uummmmm ovulation tracking does not involve taking clomid. Taking clomid is, by definition, ovulation induction. The success, or otherwise, is tracked by blood tests and/or ultrasound.

[AndiE]

I agree Lyns Dan. I took Clomid a few years ago (when DS1 was conceived) - the fertility specialist got me to have several blood tests each cycle to track things. I went to my gp to get a referral to FS again, but she was adamant all I needed was a gynaecologist because they (quote) all have some interest in treating infertility now (unquote).
I certainly won't be seeing her for much longer - BFP or BFN!!

Ahhh, think you might be splitting hairs a little there N2L. I'm no stranger to clomid, it's just been a few years since I last took it. We had a BFP on the second cycle then, so I'm hoping we have the same success now. I just can't ever recall being told to have a BT the day ovulation was suspected of happening.

[nothing2lose]

Ovulation tracking is an actual protocol which involves monitoring for ovulation without using drugs to induce it.

[LysnDan]

Uummmmm ovulation tracking does not involve taking clomid. Taking clomid is, by definition, ovulation induction. The success, or otherwise, is tracked by blood tests and/or ultrasound.

Yes, n2l my words didn't come out right. I do apologise for that but my preggo brain is seriously affecting me tonight!

And usually whilst on clomid they do SOME form of tracking whether ultrasound or blood test.

And AndiE definately would speak to your gp again about another referral bfp or bfn. But here's hoping the clomid works this time

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[AndiE]

Ovulation tracking is an actual protocol which involves monitoring for ovulation without using drugs to induce it.

Fair enough.

But why do they want me to have a blood test on the day I think I ovulated.
That's what I want to know.

[LysnDan]

Fair enough.

But why do they want me to have a blood test on the day I think I ovulated.
That's what I want to know.

It won't show a rise in progesterone on the day of ovulation.

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[AndiE]

That's exactly what I reckon. It just doesn't make sense. The doc might be the one with the medical degree, but I'm thinking she's off the mark with this.
Time to get a new gyno or go to a FS if we don't get our BFP soon.

[nothing2lose]

Perhaps they want a base level to compare the next result with?

[AndiE]

Thanks N2L, I wondered that too. But then my next question is why test my levels again in 3 days rather than 7 DPO.
Sorry - I could go round and round with questions when really it is the dr who should be making an effort (in my humble opinion) to answer them.

Thanks again gals. G'night!