Progesterone Levels during first trimester

Hi there.

I'm wondering if anybody can help me with a question. I am 8.5 weeks pregnant and am having quantative hcg & progesterone tests as I have had missed m/c's in the past. I got my latest results today showing hcg at 84789 which is great but my progesterone level has dropped. Last tests (10 days ago) was progesterone 96 but this one was 71. The Doctor assures me that it is fine because I'm still in the correct range and hcg levels increasing, but couldn't answer my question - should my progesterone be dropping or growing? I know it fluctuates when not pregnant but does it safely fluctuate when the body is?

Can anybody answer this for me. I've googled and searched through BB forums but can't find any answers and it's beginning to really worry me.

Thanks all.

not sure on levels but I know mine dropped big time from my 5 weeks quantative to 6 week one and well my bub is 4 1/2 mths now so it was all good my level was about your 2nd one to begin with then dropped down to around40 I was very worried but yours sound ok for 8 weeks

Hi Maybub

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I dont have the numbers on me at the moment, but I am certain my Progesterone levels dropped and rose and fluctuated early in my pregnancy. If you would like to have a look at my actual levels just PM me and I will forward to you. I remember panicking because they had dropped but it is normal. As long as your HCG is rising it should all be perfect.

Hope your pregnancy is H & H hun.

Thanks Rach & Lily, I really appreciate your responses.

Lily I'd be really interested to know of your levels so I have something to compare to. Will PM you now.

Have sent you a PM, let me know if you dont get it.

Hi Maybub

I dont have an aswer about the levels dropping but i am watching my prog levels because they are pretty low they went from 9 - 21 - 24 - 31. I am using a gel you take vaganally called crenone (i think) i started using this at night but when my levels didnt increase the ivf dr said to use it morning and night and it seems to be working. the only downside to it is the cost $163 for 15 applications. but well worth it if it keeps things going.

Hey hun your level looks good.

Progesterone will fluctuate in pregnancy, I had mine last week and they were 77, but my OB was very happy with them, as they were over 35 for just under 8 weeks :)

Progesterone levels vary depending on when the test is done. Blood progesterone levels start to rise midway through the menstrual cycle, continue to rise for about 6 to 10 days, and then fall if fertilization does not result.
Levels continue to rise in early pregnancy.
This following are normal ranges based upon certain phases of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy:

* Female (pre-ovulation): less than 1 ng/mL
* Female (mid-cycle): 5 to 20 ng/mL
* Male: less than 1 ng/mL
* Postmenopausal: less than 1 ng/mL
* 1st trimester: 11.2-90.0 ng/mL
* 2nd trimester: 25.6-89.4 ng/mL
* 3rd trimester: 48.4-42.5 ng/mL

Note: ng/mL = nanograms per milliliter

HTH's :hug:

:yeahthat:

Mine dropped over three tests, but each test was at different times of day & varying stages or hunger (one, I had just eaten, the others were either famished, or ate ~2hours before).

Your P4 levels will fluctuate throughout the day, and if you eaten.

I was put on pessaries, but there's a lot of contention about whether they help or not. FS gave them to me, but my local OB said they're only there to make the mother feel more secure. I don't think I needed them, but they were worried as I was going overseas for 2 weeks, and may not have been able to get them if I started spotting.

Thanks so much for the info girls, I really appreciate it. Since I posted I've had another blood test - progest risen to 76 and a scan (a panic/paranoia scan). Scan put me 2 days further along, and I know you will understand how 2 days further along can feel like 2 weeks at this early stage :dance:

Tammara - I hope your levels continue to rise, and you're right if they work it's money well spent. Good luck hon :goodluck:

Beema - you're a legend, thanks so much for the levels. I am so please to see that your pregnancy is continuing and strong. Although I didn't post a reply, I kept a very close eye on your journey with this pregnancy after reading your post. Forgive me for not sending you encouragement, I was scared when you saw my angel babies it may have upset you, silly I know. I am really happy for you and keep my fingers firmly crossed. xx:crossfingers:

Entreat - thank you, I didn't realise that the time of your day or the state of your stomach had so much to do with it!! Sometimes I just wish Dr's would answer the question, but I guess it's probably too much to expect them to know everything... :rolleyes:

Aww thankyou :hug: I still have a long way to go, but plodding along at the moment, just over another week until the next scan, so hopefully the next week will be as relatively uneventful as this week has been :crossfingers:

I am soo sooo happy for you that your levels are looking great!! And I am so thrilled that your bubba is growing along nicely as well. :comfort:

The angel bubs don't upset me, they actually help me understand better what you and so many others have gone through and the journey that you have travelled. It gives me a small insight into your experience.

If you do at anytime want to post in a thread but are worried about something in your sig, what you can do when you chose Reply to thread, below in the section Additional Options there are a few boxes under Miscellaneous Options, the first being "Show your Signature" and you can untick it, that way if you feel that your sig is best not see in certain threads you can turn it off. :)

I too turn off my sig in threads as well where I feel my sig may upset someone.

I remember having a major panic at around 8 weeks as well cause my prog levels dropped. Think I may have asked a similiar question. That bub is turning 1 next week. Best wishes.

I have no answers or sugestions, but just wanted to give my beautiful friend a BIG hug. Miss ya lovey.:hug: am thinking of you. Hope this turns out to be nothing at all.