Day 21 BT result came back, Prog level is a low, help!

Hiya girls,

Haven't been here for a while and love bellybelly's new look!

Just had my Day 21 BT result back, my Doc confirmed that my Prog level is a bit low, 26. She said for my age it should be around 35-40. We had a very brief chat today but just want to ask your guys before I see her next week, how bad is it? Is it easily fixed? She did say this level indicating that I am ovulating but fail to preg could because the low prog level.

For the girls who is taking Clomid, how low is your prog level? If I am ovulating, would taking clomid have any side effect?

Sorry firing up with all these questions. I am sort of happy that they have found 'sth wrong with me' so that we can fix it. November marks my 3 years journey TTC with no appearant reason been found. So hopefully on year 4 I will have better luck.

Any help would be much appreciated, meanwhile, keep smiling.

Beibei
TTC #1 since November 2003

Hi there,

My progesterone was about 18 before I went on Clomid.When on Clomid it was 57, but I had bad side effects on Clomid so had to stop taking it. This is my first cycle off Clomid and I had a progesterone reading at Day 21 of 4.55. I have been crying my heart out since finding out.

anyway to answer your question,my FS said they like to see a result over 30 to indicate good ovulation, so you are nearly there. You would need to speak to you Doc to discuss ways of elevating your progesterone, but it can be done. So Good luck.
xxxx

My prog level before Clomid was 26. After first level of Clomid it was 54. I am one of the lucky ones and haven't had side effects at all. I am on my second cycle of Clomid now.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Debbie

Hi Bei Bei,
Clomid will probably help you with your prog levels. Before I started clomid my prog level was only 9 and after the first cycle of 50mg clomid my level went up to 138 and following cycles have been 78.7, 55.5 and this cycle was 32.1.I was a bit concerned about the last b/t result but my gyn/ob said that it is ok because I still did ovulate. I haven't had any side effects apart from an occasional headache ( which I get around af time anyway) and I did have 1 month were I did hyperstimulate and ended up with a ovarian cyst which was drained via a laproscopy. I have taken another cycle of clomid and have been fine since. Good luck with your ttc journey. Hope you get abfp very soon.:)

Stillhoping, Has your doctor recommended any other treatment for you? :hug: Sorry to hear that you suffered bad side effects on clomid.

Bei Bei that level is a little low but it does show ovulation.

Clomid can be a really effective treatment for low progesterone levels. *Most* women report higher prog. levels on clomid. Some women have symptoms. Like Debbie I don't have any (maybe a bit crankier - hard to tell!) problematic symptoms. Many women don't. It is unfortunate for those who do as it is a really effective treatment.

Stillhoping that prog.level is indicative of the follicular stage of your cycle (the stage prior to ovulation) are you sure you didn't have it a bit early?
My first round of clomid my cd21 test was only 15 indicating that ovulation had not yet occured. I knew I hadn't yet had an LH surge as I was using opk's. I was retested on cd28 and my prog was 60. This is not uncommon. Unless you are having follicular scanning or doing opk's it can through a bit of a spanner in the works. :hug:

ETA: I have just realised that the low level was when you weren't on clomid sorry Still HOping...

HI BeiBei

I just started clomid this week. My progesterone level was 30 at day 21, my last cycle prior to clomid. My FS said it wasn't "too bad"...I was surprised as I always thought my progesterone would have been lower.

Anyway...prior to Clomid, I've ovulated regularly...but still have never had a pregnancy. I asked some girls on BB the other day why I might have been put on clomid (considering I was ovulating) and one said (sorry...can't remember who gave me this great advice) to think of clomid as a fertility booster/turbo...

I need all the turbo power I can get!!!

All the best!

Hi there,

Deb, I think I ovulated on about Cd11(due to temp rise) and unfortunately started spotting on CD20 and Full Af by CD22, so I think I missed the mark with the blood test. I maybe should have gone a few days earlier. Anyway my cycle is all over the place. Is 4.55 ok for the first half of the cycle, or is it too low at anytime?

I see my FS on Monday, so we will find out my options then. Does anyone know what my options might be? I have low progesterone and a LPD (half self diagnosed) Should I ask for ultrasounds during my cycle to check if I am ovulating properly?

thanks

Still HOping:
:hugs: This is a rough ride sometimes isn't it. But you are in the right place for some great support, love and help through this.
FYI here are some progesterone values:
Follicular phase: < 2 nmol/L
Luteal phase: 5 - 90 nmol/L
Post-menopausal: < 2 nmol/L
Your progesterone rises at ovulation and peaks 7 days before your period. It looks from your result that you did not ovulate. If you had your result would be higher.

Can I ask what reaction you had to clomid that made you stop? How long were you on clomid? In some women clomid can reduce the thickness of the endometrium due to its affect on the oestrogen however this doesn't usually begin to be a problem until 3 full cycles on the clomid. Often a month off is enough and then the clomid can be resarted. Is this what happened?

As you know the clomid helps to increase to level oout the hormones in the first half of your cycle and this increases the progesterone which in turn increases the luteal phase. If you can't take clomid there are other options. Has you specialist talked of any?

Clomid is the first step there are other steps. What have you talked of doing next?
ETA I would also ask for a fertility profile to be done also and u/s is helpful. Follicular u/s at around cd12 is often done...
:hug:

Hi Deb,

i was on Clomid for 3 cycles. One at 25mg and 2 at 50mg. Clomid gave me really bad anxiety and nausea, and I decided that the Anxiety was probably counteracting the Clomid, and I wouldn't get pregnant this way. I haven't seen my FS since going on Clomid and the only reason I am seeing him on Monday is because I rang to make an appointment. I initially went to a FS for help and for him to be proactive, but I feel I am the only one being proactive. We need help and I am getting so down and distressed over it all, that I feel it will never happen if someone doesn't help me 100%.

It would have been interesting to see what my prog levels would have been a few days before CD21. I had a really good temp rise and it stayed up. Is that not a sign of ovulation?

thanks for you advice, not sure what I would do without this forum.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I get a bit nervous giving out too much advise but...

I believe at 4.5 at any time in your luteal phase it shows that you didn't ovulate - or did so very poorly.

It sounds like you did ovulate well on clomid. Anxiety is a side affect of clomid for a few women. Drugs that stimulate ovulation will have this affect to varying degrees. However, sometimes just being on a drug is enough to induce anxiety. It's the expectation, the unknown. However, you are the best judge of your own body and what you can tolerate.

If you are feeling unsupported by your doctor then I would find another one. You don't want to waste time with someone who is flopping around. Often women don't ovulate well on 50mgs but will on 100mgs. Clomid isn't the only thing that works though.
Would you feel that another doctor is an option? I know that some people feel comfortable with those that others don't. I have a very dear friend who is a specialist ob - everyohne knows he's a bit of a legend but some get very offended by his straight down the line manner. Then there are doctors that I personally think spend far too much time pondering but others think they are heaven on a stick.

I don't feel I am helping much - if I can help any more let me know... :hugs:

Thanks girls, that was very helpful to know other people's experiences.

It sounds like it is an very effective drug, but more cycles you have, less effective it becomes. Don't you feel that Mako just by looking at your figures? But hey, as far as it is over 30, all good.

Is there a limit that how many cycles you should be on clomid? My Doc said shouldn't be on it for too long. And while you are on clomid, do you guys have any other treatment at the same time?

Monnie, my friend told me the similar thing that Clomid is a 'fertility boost' drug, that's why I went to my IVF specialist early this year to requested, he didn't recommend me to have it because he said it is not the wonder drug, only to help people who doesn't ovulate. That was the end of the story.

Last night I feel I should have been more persistant 'demanding the drug' ya like 'give me the drug', I was joking to my hubbie that if I insisted enough at the time, our baby probably will be due soon. :doh:

Seems you only started your first cycle on clomid, so heaps of good luck. :pray: It seems we are in very similar situation, both 35, both ovulating but not particular strong and never had a pregnancy. I am gonna be checking on you matey;)

Stillhoping, sorry to hear that you had some side effects on clomid, :hug: This journey itself could be hard enough and we need all the help we can get. So if you feel unsure about your doctor, just get the second opinion or find someone click with you. I had a specilist at IVF Aust, and one day I decided that its just too expensive to pay $200 an hour listen to him talking about how wonderful his holiday was and skiing resort in Japan, so I gave him a flick. And I really don't have too much time to waste. Hope things will work it out for you babe.

I am seeing a specialist next Tuesday to hear the verdict whether he will give me the drug or not, hehe

Meanwhile, lots of good luck girls!!

Beibei

It is generally thought that clomid can adversley affect the endometrium if taken longer than 3 months. A break of a month is often given and then clomid recommenced. Fertility is obviously enhanced but especially for the first three months. Each specialist/nurse will have their own opinions and beliefs around this. Many women find that they have success after 6 cycles - *most* specialists have a cut off of around 6 months when the situation is reassesed and options examined.

I agree being comfy with your care provider is very important. If you are not comfy - I would go out and find one that is. Time IS precious.
:hug:

Monnie, I think I may have been the 'turbo' girl! How's that for a dodgy explanation?? LOL!

I wouldn't listen to me too much, Deb knows a lot more about this stuff than me!