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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Help with my progesterone levels.

17 replies

tutsyflower · 08/08/2014 13:55

Hi I have been trying for a baby for a year now I went for my first 21 day blood test and got a letter from the doctor telling to get it repeated next month. My levels were 3.3 nmol/l that's really low right? Has anyone had these levels what should they be and why are they like this? Any info would be greatly appreciated guys thanks.

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ohfourfoxache · 08/08/2014 22:39

3.3 is very low (should be 20 or over to indicate ovulation).

Havin said that, it's possible that the test was just mistimed.

Which dr did you get the letter from - GP or specialist?

tutsyflower · 13/08/2014 10:55

it was my GP I got the letter from I done the blood test on CD 21 and my bbt chart seems to show I ovulated if I even did that is on CD 13. Its now CD 33 and no AF I have been brown spotting for 4 days now too.

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tutsyflower · 13/08/2014 10:57

Also I am 26 my husband is 29 and we are healthy no medical problems and don't smoke or take any kind of drugs and maybe once a month for alcohol.

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ohfourfoxache · 13/08/2014 11:25

It does sound to me that it was mistimed - sadly gps don't really have the specialist knowledge that you need.

Iiwy I'd go ahead with another d21 (which may well also be low) and use this result to be referred to a gynaecological endocrinologist.

How long are your cycles?
Are they regular or irregular?
If you've got brown spotting and if this is unusual you may want to POAS

tutsyflower · 13/08/2014 11:33

my cycles are usually regular 28 to 30 days. Last month was 32 days though and I have had the spotting before maybe 4 time from I started ttc I was referred to a fertility clinic last month and was told I would be waiting up to 6 months on an appointment. What is POAS?

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ohfourfoxache · 13/08/2014 11:42

Piss on a stick! ( I.e. Pregnancy test)

6 months for an appointment is bollocks - once you are referred you have to have been seen and have a decision made/first treatment within 18 weeks. Has your GP definitely referred you?

tutsyflower · 13/08/2014 11:54

Well that's what he said and when I went to the nurse for my blood tests she said it was good I have had my smear because they like to get that done first so it must have been on my file because I didn't mention it to her.

I'm tired of BFN so seeing any kind off blood makes me not test. This is all quite scary I just always thought I was going to come off birth control and get pregnant. It has been that simple for everyone I know. I hope there is nothing wrong with me but if there wasn't I would be pregnant by now. :(

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ohfourfoxache · 13/08/2014 12:09

Not necessarily - it can take some couples months, and about 1/3 of all couples going for IVF don't have a definitive problem. How long have you been trying for?

tutsyflower · 13/08/2014 12:24

Its been a year now about 14 cycles. Could my egg be fertilised each month but With the low progesterone my body not sustain the pregnancy. I have never been pregnant and have never had a BFP.

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ohfourfoxache · 13/08/2014 12:29

I would think it would be more likely that there is a difficulty with the follicle releasing an egg.

Has your GP definitely referred you? Who has he/she referred you to?

tutsyflower · 13/08/2014 12:34

He said I am being referred to the fertility clinic in the royal maternity hospital I live in Belfast. How can I find out if I have been refereed and why do you think there is a chance he could be lying to me about it to me? Do GP's do that to some people regarding referrals for fertility?

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ohfourfoxache · 13/08/2014 12:47

Put it this way, having worked in the NHS all my life I know how many cock ups there can be! (Pardon the pun!)

In terms of finding out if you have been referred, call the GP and speak to the secretary - they should be able to tell you if you have or not.

If you have, contact the hospital outpatient department and make sure that they have the referral/find out when your appointment will be. Fertility is not exempt from the 18 week target, therefore you should really have a first appointment within (I'd say) 12 weeks tops. This is because they have to definitively treat you within 18 weeks of receiving the referral or, if treatment isn't required at this point, there needs to be valid reason for this.

If the hospital has received the referral and they say that you will be waiting for more than 14/16 weeks, contact the patient advice and liaison service at the hospital - they should be able to make sure you are seen within the required timeframe.

If your GP hasn't referred, you need to find out why not. It may be that they are waiting for another d21 prog which isn't in itself unreasonable. However NICE (2013) guidelines say that if a couple have not conceived after 12 months of trying for a pregnancy they are entitled to be referred to a specialist. However, be warned that if the specialist finds that there is no cause for a conception delay, there is usually a minimum period of trying to conceive for 2 years (sometimes 3) before you become entitled to some forms of complex NHS funded treatment (IVF and suchlike)

ohfourfoxache · 13/08/2014 12:51

Might be helpful....

www.rfc.hscni.net/PathwaysFAQs.htm

ohfourfoxache · 13/08/2014 12:55

This is why

www.rfc.hscni.net/ForClinicians.htm

It says that referral is normally after 2 years - totally contradicts NICE guidelines so it sounds like your GP is pursuing reasons to refer earlier. With a low prog you can legitimately say that there is reason to suspect a problem therefore earlier investigation is warranted.....

tutsyflower · 13/08/2014 13:06

He told me he was sending the referral before I even done the CD21 tests. Il ring the receptionist she is a family friend and I am I bit reluctant to ask her because I don't want her attention draw to the fact that I'm having trouble but I suppose she probably already knows. Thanks for all the info you have given me today I will post again when I get some answers. Thanks. P.S Great name lol. :)

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ohfourfoxache · 13/08/2014 13:22

Grin thank you!

You could contact the hospital in the first instance if you would prefer to go about it in a slightly more discreet way? Then if they've not got it you could speak to your friend....

tutsyflower · 13/08/2014 16:04

Took your advise on POAS and another BFN as usual. I think I have given up on actually conceiving I don't think its going to happen. Just concentrating on why its not happening but I'm driving myself CRAZY.

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