When should I have my progesterone test done?

[buttercupbabe]

I've been ttc dc2 for a few months when it came to light that I have an luteal phase of about 8 or 9 days. I had my first appt with the gynae 2 weeks ago and he has prescribed clomid but I'm only to take it if my next progesterone test is under 30. The last test (which got me my referral) was 4 days after ovulation and my prog was 26. The problem I've got is that the gynae wants me to have my prog test on day 22 or 23 which is this thurs or fri and I still havent ov'd yet. I am showing all the signs of it (lots of ewcm sorry if tmi) but my temp hasn't gone up yet. I'm worried that if I don't ov until weds and have the test friday my prog level could be quite high (or higher than 30) because it will only be 2 or 3 days after ovulation. If I leave it and dont get my blood test until the monday it might be too close to af arriving. Any ideas on what I should do? I'm desperate to just get going on the clomid so that I can get my luteal phase lengthened and hopefully get pregnant. I'm sorry for such a long post but I'm feeling really stressed about it all.

Even though you may be showing all the "signs" of ovulation I would not necessarily go by these alone. You can all too easily get the date wrong if ovulation happens because it is possible to have periods without ovulating. You can also have a rise in temp in the second half of your cycle when an egg has not been shed (this may be a scenario with your good self).

A progesterone test is usually called a Day 21 test. I would have the blood test done as close as possible to this date, doesn't really matter if its done day 22, 23, 24 etc. It will give a far more accurate result.

With a previous result of 26 this would have meant that ovulation did not occur that month so it was not 4 days post ovulation.

Apart from anything else you should be monitored whilst on clomid (with both blood tests and ultrasounds to see that an egg has left the ovary). If you are not monitored whilst on it you will have no way of knowing whether its doing what it should or otherwise. Insist therefore on being monitored if this is not happening.

Have you had blood tests done earlier in your cycle?. If not I would ask about this as well as if your LH and FSH levels are awry to start with (LH and FSH are the hormones that start the whole ovulation process off) then this will be another reason why clomid may be needed too.

HTH a bit

Thanks attila. You're always so helpful. What level of progesterone shows that ovulation has happened out of interest?
I'm going to have the progesterone test for the first cycle on clomid, then he mentioned a scan for the 2nd cycle. My cycles are very regular can this still be the case even if I'm not ovulating?
I'm really worried about having a blood test on friday cd23 and the level to come back above 30 because then I can't take the clomid. Say I do ovulate in the next couple of days would my prog not be quite high on friday? Sorry for all the questions but am desperate to get sorted.