Low Progesterone levels? So worried.

Hello, I'm having a rough time with this pregnancy... my HCG levels have been low (193 to 280 to 508 to 980) Last one yesterday, each taken every 2-3 days. The Dr told me on Tuesday that the 280 level indicated this was not a "viable" pregnancy and that it was not progressing. Going by LMP dates I should have been 6w1d, and for that she said this was too low nd not doubling. She said I would need a D&C, but she'd do another BT to see the confirm the levels. She said had miscarried and that if I didn't have the D&C, it would eventually pass anyway. We were heartbroken and tried to make peace with it over the next 48 hours.

Dh and I return to the dr yesterday morning and she tells us the level has increased to 508, she is shocked, consults with an obstetrician about what to do. Meanwhile I am struggling with my emotions having thought my baby was gone for the past two days. She said that its a positive sign that the HCG level has increased and I could possibly be much earlier on than expected which is likely as I have PCOS and don't know when I ovulated. She says we need to check my Progesterone levels.

I get that result today, and I know very little about this apart from what I've just googled... Basically mine was "22" but the Dr said to sustain the baby it should be over "40". So my feelings of relief quickly turn to panic again. She gives me a script for progesterone pessaries, twice a day and 2 more BT forms to keep checking the HCG. I went to fill the script for the progesterone pessaries and I'm told this needs to be done at a compound pharmacy, by the time I get to that one they tell me it won't be ready until Monday! I started to cry and tried to explain what I've been through this week and that I was worried it'll be too late by then.

As I'd asked my Dr what else I could do apart from the pessaries to save my baby and she said "cross your fingers"... this isn't my usual Dr and unfortunately i didn't know if she has a dry sense of humour or is completely desensitised. Either way, not the gentle reassurance I so desperately need :(. So the pharmacist tells me that he knows i "want" it now but that there are other orders in front of mine and that it takes 12-24 hours just to "set". I asked if he knew anything about how this works and he said no one could tell me this but that its up to the baby whether it sticks or not, he said he doesn't know how far along I am and it depends how quickly the pessaries even work! I left the chemist crying and feeling very hopeless.

I feel like I've gone up and down all week, and now I'm down again... From what I've read on google it seems debatable whether progesterone supplements even prevent miscarriage, only that low progesterone is a factor in some miscarriages. So I don't feel very good about this... I'm upset the chemist wasn't more sensitive and I feel very alone because I hadn't told anyone about the pregnancy yet and don't know how to now.

Has anyone else had any experience with low progesterone? Could you point me in the direction of any info that might help me? I guess if its likely this baby won't make it then I'd rather start accepting that now and be pleasantly surprised rather than thinking it will and being heartbroken again. Why is something that seems so important not readily available when it seems like a thing you take in an urgent situation? Or am I just being over demanding and emotional about it? The chemist certainly made me feel rude for asking why I had to wait for it. And most importantly, has anyone had low progesterone levels yet gone on to have a healthy baby? < This one would really help.

LadyRose just wondering if you're in Perth by any chance?


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I am actually, thats amazing! I can't figure out how to PM you though?

:comfort: seems your Dr isnt using much understanding to your situation.From what i remember, low progesterone can cause a miscarriage BUT it can also be a sign of a miscarriage that is inevitably going to occur KWIM? So if you are having an inevitable miscarriage a progesterone boost wont help but if the miscarriage is due to low progesterone then the pessaries may help that until everything kicks in and starts producing the 'good stuff' ;)

Is it possible you can request a scan before they make any further decisions?

If a miscarriage does occur it wont necessarily come away on its own. We did the wait and see approach and waited 5 weeks and still nothing.

:hug: Crossing everything you have a sticky bub in there.

With DD1 my P4 was 26 at your stage, and she is 3.5 now :). I hope you also have good news.

:

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I am actually, thats amazing! I can't figure out how to PM you though?

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Because you only have 6 posts your PM function doesn't work. If it's ok with you we can pass the email addy you registered with to MrsP.

Can you have an injection of Pregnyl? Or try the crinone gel?

I'm in Perth too, I get my pessaries from the Wembley pharmacy, they have them in stock as they deal frequently with the fertility clinic down the road from them. I think they are open until 10pm tonight. Good luck!

Sorry Onyx just realized my initial post was against the rules! Pregnant brain!!

Happy to get LadyRose's email by PM if she agrees.


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Yep, Emslies pharmacy in Wembley is where I get mine. Worth a try to call them for sure!!


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I went to a local GP to get my levels checked inbetween my IVF check and the GP told me taking the pessaries would not help. He made me feel so much worse.

I'm now 37 weeks pg and due to give both next week! (unless baby turns from breech!!!)

I think my level was 22 or 24?

Sending you best wishes


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Yes please pass my email on to MrsP, thank you!

My GP went away on Thursday right after I got the news the hcg rose but needed to test the progesterone, so she said her collegue at the clinic would deal with me until she comes back. I am booked in to see the Ob I want to use in late September as she doesn't see patients until they 10 weeks. I can go to an after hours dr this weekend, do you think that is a good idea? would they suggest anything else apart from the progesterone pessaries? What are the other options suggested?

I didn't know about the chemist in wembley, I asked if there was anywhere else I could get it from and was told Huntingdale but that I'd have the same issue with it needing to be made up. That is about 45 mins from me at least. Though I would have gone to Wembley straight away if they told me, this is so frustrating. I don't know how people can be so blaze.

Thank you for all the posts, it seems this isn't something I can control but I don't know how to "just wait and see". Has anyone else had an early pregnancy they were told may not make it? How did you cope with that? I'm relieved (that the HCG is rising, but anxious its not doing it at the "normal" rate, I'm angry I don't feel supported by any practitioner during this, I know if my own GP were still here I would as she's fantastic, but she's not so I'm stuck. I'm obviously upset and I go from hopeful to fearful. It's exhausting, I just don't know where to focus my energy.

edited to add: I do have a scan booked next Wednesday, that's the soonest they would see me as they said they can't see anything until HCG levels are over 1500. I could ring back and try to make it sooner, would this help? or would it be better to wait?

My prog was borderline low, but my HCG didnt double.
It's a positive thing that your HCG is going up.
Try the pharmacist near the IVF clinic- the one near mine always has some ready.
My prog was 25.5, but went up immediately after I used the pessaries for 2 days.
Pity you are not in Melbourne, I have some here that are not needed for now.
Good luck hun

My progesterone with this pg was below normal (though I forget the actual numbers) and at the start my hcg levels were on the low side too, though within the range. I clearly recall my dr saying when I was approx 4-5 weeks not to get too hopeful. Anyway, my hcg continued to rise, but my progesterone went up and down. I ended up having progesterone pessaries from about 6 weeks to 14 weeks. I do believe the progesterone pessaries saved my pregnancy - I had a lot of bleeding in the first 8-9 weeks, and it only stopped after I regularly started using the progesterone. The only "catch" is the expense - the more pessaries you can buy at any one time, the cheaper it is. I do know the compounding chemist needed 24-48 hours notice to get the progesterone in stock, but on one occasion they were able to give me several pessaries they had in stock, and I picked the rest up a couple of days later.

Has your dr recommended you have a scan? I had a scan at 5w6d to check what was happening. I had another around 8 weeks. The scans were comforting from the perspective of seeing a good heartbeat and bub's development.

Wishing you all the best, xx

I've just called the chemist to check and they r ready! Dh has gone to get them, from memory the script was for 15 of them so twice a day would be a weeks worth. If i need them after that i'll go straight to wembly instead. Thanks fir answering my questiojs, i feel optimistic today.

Me again, I don't know how to use these... They didn't come with any instructions. Its a "strip" of white plastic segmented bullet shaped (capsules??) but if I break one off they are sharp along the edges. I assumed it would be like the canestan things you insert? Does anyone know how to use these?!

When ready to use-
Take it out of the plastic and insert.
You'll get it, once it's out of the plastic.
I was a bit miffed too!
You might want to wear a panty liner :)


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Push it up inside you as far as it will go using the tip of your finger to push. Lie down for 30 mins or so after insertion.

You will find you get very waxy very quickly! Also, dont worry if you feel something running out when you stand up. It will only be the wax residue. The actual progesterone will have been absorbed by that stage.

Good luck!

PS Keep them refrigerated and dont handle before inserting. They melt very quickly.

Also, if you find inserting vaginally is too messy, or you don't have time to lie around for 30 mins, you can insert them rectally. I use gloves though ha ha!


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My fs always said 'up the bum!' you won't need to lay down after and it's absorbed better too

Hi There

I too had very low progesterone, I was on 6 pessaries a day plus tablets to try and boost the level which they never told me how low it was! I have bled on and off since i was 5 weeks and Im now 14 weeks baby was fine at 12 week scan seeing OB again on Monday. On cambridge street in Leedervile opposite the international foodcourt is a friendlies chemist they always have pessaries ready and are open to 10pm, 7 days a week. Fingers crossed for you.

Thanks again, they're really hard to get out of the plastic casing but i'm managing.

Thanks also to those who are going well now with your pregnancies, thats good to see!

I have the form for the blood test tomorrow, it says in the test box, progesterone, but she's handwritten something also, that looks like

"qaunt . B. HCG"

I'm sure it says quant, but could be qual if she's abreviated it. Does the B mean anything or is this just testing the HCG level again?

My scan is on wednesday, i wish it were sooner, but i guess the longer i wait the more conclusive the picture.

It sounds like she has ordered a quantitative beta HCG, which means an HCG test that gives you actual levels, not just yes or no as to whether you are pregnant.

Good luck :hug:

Hi ladyrose! I'm another who has progesterone issues!
I've had 3 mc and 2 healthy babies. With this current pg I have been on 200mg of progesterone support. My hcg numbers weren't doubling quickly and my progesterone level got down to 32.8. I have also had varying amounts of bleeding between 6-14 weeks. My doctor was shocked that this pg is still viable given my history and the numbers but I am happy to shock him ;) I am now 17 1/2 weeks!
The blood test to me means a quantative bhcg reading which is to see how much your levels have risen. I have everything crossed for you!!!
Much love xxx

I cannot add anything else, I think all the other ladies have given you great advice.
I just wanted to wish you the best and hoping you get some great news with your scan.

Results back today and progesterone has gone from 22 up to 35. Dr said to increase to 3 pessaries per day and has given me a script for stronger ones once this lot has finished.

My HCG has gone up from 908 on 9/8 to 2990 on 13/8. The Dr said this looks good, but I'm worried as it looks a good increase but it was actually FOUR days between tests... Why do they say it should double? Mines going up, slowly.
My hcg history is:

24/7 - <2
2/8 - 193
4/8 - 280 (It was the day after this I saw my Dr and she actually told me this was not a viable pregnancy, assuming I was 5-6 weeks, the numbers low and not doubling, she said it was an early miscarriage, and that this is usually due to chromosome abnormality. She said I would need a D&C and to come back in with my dh. She did have me do another BT though and thats when dh and I were shocked when she said the number had gone up, which was the next one)
7/8 - 508
9/8 - 908
13/8 - 2990

So I keep thinking about what she'd said prior, it was something along the lines of "nature weeding out the unhealthy pregnancies". Her wording was much better, but I didn't hear much after miscarriage. Obviously babies are born with 'abnormalities', and those pregnancies progress 'normally', so I don't really understand the logic. My youngest child has a developmental delay, and there was nothing within that pregancy that indicated it. This was years ago before I was diagnosed with PCOS or struggled with fertility, so I never had HCG checked or monitored back then. I just wish I had more information, what do these levels mean, what has been the experience of other women with this pattern etc. My gp is obviously limited with information I guess. I am going with an obstetrician this time but I don't see her until I'm 10 weeks... I've compared this to my experience with midwife care (my two older children were born in a birth centre setting), back then they didn't even see me until 15 weeks. I tend to thrive on information and I feel very in the dark, I do have my u/s tomorrow, and I guess I'll know more then...

I know of a woman whos HCG levels didnt double/ triple as they should. All continued to progress along with the HCG levels not rising in a 'text book' way. She now has a child from that pregnancy. the ultrasound will be able to tell you much more than you know now. Hang in there, at the moment there really isnt a lot that you can tell from the results you have :hug:

Ladyrose- Hun those levels are fine!! If you type in hcg doubling calculators you can use that to see roughly how much they are doubling within a timeframe. I typed yours in (because I'm anal lol) and your last three results were doubling every 55-57 hours...that's in a normal timeframe! For levels under 1200 a timeframe of 31-72 hours is expected, levels between 1200- 6000 it's 48-96 hrs and levels over 6000 96+hrs.
Your levels are perfectly fine IMO!
Big hugs and good luck tomorrow xxx

Yas that was lovely of you! Thank u so much.

Just a short one as i'm posting from my phone. Heading in soon.

There was nothing there. He couldnt see anything. Not even a sac. He also said he couldnt see any sign of an ectopic. I'm waiti g to see my gp. I cant deal with this, please help.

Did you have an internal scan?

Yes, i had an internal also. My lmp is 27 june so should b 7 weeks he said. But i know via blood test i was in luteal phase on 24 july. Thats a 7 day window apparently. We dtd on 17 july and 23 july. I am sure i ovulated on 18-19 july but only by ovulation pain and cm. I wasnt doing temps. I'm so upset. They kept asking if i had pain or bleeding which i dont. (Short sentences due to posting on phone). Ps. Got hpt bfp 31 july. I guess i am still hoping its too soon but if u think im in denial its ok to b honest.

Oh LadyRose Im sorry you didnt get to see anything. I dont know alot about these things but I thought they should be able to see something with an internal at 7 weeks. How horrible for you to be in limbo like this,
I hope someone else who knows will come in and give their opinion. FX for you

They should be able to see something if they did an internal. If you are not that sure about your dates hang in there. Did you do another hcg bt today? Sorry it's a hard and confusing time for you x

I agree they should see something but as Joeve said, if the dates could be out by a few days then hang in there :hug:

Just seen the dr, she says that in pregnancy even if u cant see anything they can see 'changes in the lining of the uterus'. The scanning dr could not see this. So even if theres nothing there these changes should be visible. I'm having another blood test now and friday. Dr says its likely ectopic but too small to be seen yet. I asked f she'd seen this before she said no that bloods show a progressing pregnancy but scans show not. Either way something isnt right.

Sorry to hear the news :hug:.

Oh hun, I'm terribly sorry to hear your news.

I had my first scan with this bub when I wasn't quite four weeks along, which picked up absolutely nothing. I had another scan two weeks later which showed a sac and bub developing. They could confirm at that point it wasn't ectopic, so I'm a little suprised your scan couldn't determine that. Mind you, I'm no expert.

I hope you get some answers soon. In the meantime, please look after yourself.

:hug:

Hcg levels have risen again and I saw an Ob at the ER today. They've conluded its an Ectopic Pregnancy and booked me in for Laproscopy tomorrow and to remove the tube. I just wanted to update you.

Lady :hug: so sorry hun. Go gently xoxo.