Progesterone day 21 results at 20 BUT

[farfallarocks]

Can anyone help? I have had my progesterone day 21 test back.
The result was 20 which from Dr Google seems to be ok but the Practise Nurse said 'It confirms ovulation occured but with poor follicular decelopment and possible luteal insufficiency'.

The test was actually done on day 23 (I ovulated on day 14 or 15 but day 21 was a Saturday so had it done on the Monday)

I have requested a copy of the full results and have just say day 3 tests.
The GP has also ordered a repeat progesterone test for next month.

Does anyone know what the normal range should be?

I had an early miscarriage in June and spotted throughout and suspect that a luteal phase defect/low progesterone was the problem.
Many thanks

Hmmm just found this, does not look promising!!

pathology.bsuh.nhs.uk/pathology/Default.aspx?tabid=132#Progesterone

Over 30 confirms ovulation. However it's ideal to do it 7 days before af is due. It's good that your GP is repeating it. Are you charting or using opks to be confident of ovulation?
Mine were 15, 20, 25 aiming for day 20 if an average 27 cycle. The fertility specialist then requested them on cd17 and 20 because my cycle varies..these were 23 and 28 of what turned out to be 28 day cycle. So I wouldn't be too worried. Wait to see what the next result says.

Thanks for this, yes I am using the CBFM and it is detecting a surge every month. I ended up having the test a little late because 7DPO was a saturday so hopefully this is the cause.

Have to wait a whole month though (agony!)

I know it's awful isn't it?! My first one was due on a Sunday too. I mean ideally you should get them done 7 days before af but until the NHS does a 7 day service you can't can you?! Bear in mind the level rises after ovulation and then starts to drop. You could well have ovulated but it had already started dropping by the time your bloods were taken. The cbfm surge is encouraging so don't lose hope just yet hun :)

Thanks for this! I was encouraged because my luteal phase seemed to be getting longer and the spotting before AF had stopped.

I was hoping my body had regulated itself after stopping the pill but maybe not.
I am wondering if there is anything I can do 'naturally' to sort this out. HMMMM

You're not thinking of agnus wotsit? What are your cycles like and your luteal phases? (Just being nosy!)

I got mine today - 21 :( I waited until FF confirmed my temp rise so am pretty sure I was 7dpo but if less than 30 indicates possibly not ovulating I don't know what to think? Can you still have high temps in second phase of cycle without ovulating?

Have been going for acupuncture - will mention my low progesterone tomorrow and see what he says

have I have read about agnus castus but I have also read that it can make things worse and there is someone on here who stopped getting AF for months after taking it! I have read it can help though. I am taking the zita west vits which have all the b vits.

My cycles were 24 days and I had a 10 day luteal phase. I came off the pill end of Feb. Since then AF was very light, only 2 days of real bleeding.

After 3 months of accupunture they had lengthened to 26/27 days with a 12 day luteal phase. My af also seemed much more 'normal'. So I thought we were going in the right direction. I also used to getr spotting for 4 days before AF and now only get it for 1 day which I think is acceptable!! Maybe I just need to give it more time.

I am waiting for the day results as I have read that the LH/FSH balance at the beginning of the cycle might be the cause of the low progesterone. I think I might have mild PCOS, I have a lot of the symptoms despite a regular cycle.

pie so sorry about your result. The GP said anything over 15 does confirm ovulation but at 20 it suggests poor follicular development so the egg is a bit rubbish I guess. Have you got a short luteal phase?
I am retesting next month as apparently it can be a blip and you can have one ovary that is less efficient than the other (they often take it in turns!)

There are plenty of people on here who have low progesterone who seem to still get pregant it seems.

Actually which side the egg leaves the ovary from (if it does) is a completely random process.

If your progesterone is low (and usually they like to see a level of 30 or over) there is a possibility that the levels of LH and FSH are out of sync (an excess of LH to FSH). This can happen if PCOS is present (and some women with this do have a regular cycle). PCOS however is a very individualistic disorder and affects each woman with it very differently. The commonality though is the cystic follicles on the ovaries.

Has the GP discussed PCOS at all with you?.

That is interesting about the ovaries!
The GP has not (but she is pretty clueless, lovely but clueless). I had my day 3 test on Monday and should get the results next week. if that is showing an imbalance then I will start investigating the PCOS route.

I actually had a scan when I was about 20 to check the ovaries as I had terrible acne and facial hair but it was clear. I think I need to get checked out again!

I have also read that sustained pill use can lead to low progesterone and poor ovulation for up to a year.

Attila do you have experience of this sort of thing?

Yes, 'fraid so.

I was diagnosed with PCOS just over a decade ago now on the basis of the bloods, cystic follicles on ovaries (even I could make them out!) and a few stray hairs.

Have had more blood tests and internal ultrasounds (not to mention diathermy surgery!) than I care to name!.

BTW the cystic follicles associate with PCOS do disappear - only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. As mentioned before PCOS is a very individualistic disorder.

To my mind the pill can mask symptoms of any underlying hormonal problem that has always been there. I've had problems with my periods for many years prior to taking the pill and on taking this it was all suppressed.

Thanks Attila, this is really helpful.

I am going to wait for the bloods and then if they show an imbalance go and get another scan done. My gut feel is that I do have a mild form of it (as you say, it affects everyone differently) and I hope I can try and manage it a bit better through some diet and lifestyle changes (I have ordered PCOS and fertility book on amazon) but perhaps I am being naive.

I have also read that you have children so that is reassuring!

My day 3 bloods are back in:
LH 4.8
fsh 6.4

Both 'normal' and certainly does not look like PCOS but not 'the same'. Not sure how closely they are meant to match?

They should be 1:1. When it comes to pcos it's a syndrome so they look at you having a combination of characterstics and will want to do a pelvic ultrasound.

Thanks have. I thought when LH was higher than FSH that was an indicator for PCOS but mine seem to be the other way around!!

From my googling it looks as though FSH below 6 is excellent and 6-9 is normal and that is more to do with ovarian reserve?

I am so confused!!

I was due my 21 day test and it was on a Saturday but then I realised I could have gone to the hospital in the next town for their phlebotomy (sp) dept to do it. Muppet.

Check with the hospital if they have their phleb dept open on a sat morning.

farfalla are you.booked in to discuss results with the GP? A little knowledge and access to Google in your circumstances is a dangerous thing! Step away!!
fluffy you are very wise...lots of hospitals are doing weekend clinics to reduce waiting lists so they may well have a Saturday phlebotomy clinic.

Thanks for this.
The GP has said that everything is 'normal' so no need to see me.
Has ordered a repeat progesterone test for this month so will see how we get on.
Good idea about the Saturday morning, I will see which day it falls on!

farfall did your GP mention your progesterone level? Mine was 21 and my GP called to say I hadn't ovulated that cycle (FF shows I did, but late). Ho Hum!