confused by hormone levels - any advice?

[Rumplestrumpet]

Hi ladies,
I've been TTC for 9 months now, and blood tests have shown up high levels of oestrogen at the end of my cycle. My Doc says this indicates low progesterone levels, which could be preventing me from conceiving, and has prescribed progesterone for CD15-25. But I'm concerned that the test may be a one off (it was an exceptionally long cycle, prob due to unrelated illness and anti-biotics). And I don't like the idea of taking hormones without knowing the side effects
Has anyone had experience of this? Any advice? Or thoughts on side-effects?
Grateful for your advice

Rumple - I'm having blood tests at the moment too and I would be very uneasy about taking hormone supplements based on just one test. I'm getting my '21 day' progesterone done for the second time this month. The doctor said that they should be done at least three times to pick up a pattern, because you're right, one cycle can just be an anomaly. I would go back and ask them to redo the test over a couple of further cycles to confirm for sure.

thanks bear, I feel reassured - I thought I was maybe being silly not just taking the Doc's advice. But they can seem rather dismissive, and weren't interested in suggesting more tests. I have the luxury of just being able to order them myself, so I may go ahead. Is day 21 a key day?

'Day 21 progesterone' is a test to check that you ovulate. Is based on a regular 28 day cycle, best is to do it 7 days before your period if you are generally regular. So if cycle reg and 30 days you would test day 23. Etc.

You really need to do a few! I had two done...both seven days after I thought id ovulated. The first came back as low at 16. The second time was 12 which was even worse...turns out that was the month I got pregnant. Doc didn't seem concerned, just said I maybe ovulated later than I thought.

Thanks Bugsy and bluer, I'll fix up some more tests this month before I take any extra hormones. Advice much appreciated.

This seems very odd. The two standard blood tests GPs do for fertility are LH and FSH levels on days 2-5 of your cycle and a progesterone test 7 days after you think you ovulated. Have you had these done?

If your progesterone is low because you haven't ovulated, adding progesterone from days 15-25 won't do anything at all!

BTW, I have taken progesterone post-ov and it's fine. It's main side effect it a bit of constipation. I'm extremely sensitive to synthetic hormones (can't take the Pill, had to stop and IVF cycle as couldn't tolerate the hormones) and it was fine.

Hmmm. Thanks Euro. I'm not currently living in the UK, and my OBGYN did not suggest LH or FSH level tests (not sure why!). Frustrating that she has suggested hormone supplements without first doing more tests. Looks like I'll have to take a bit more control of the tests myself and do a bit more reading before I take her advice.
This page sets out quite well what the suggested tests and timings are, so a useful guide.
Thanks again ladies!