BBT rise but blood test says no ovulation - any advice?

[Jasmin6]

I wondered if anyone had any advice around ovulation / not ovulating..?

We've been TTC for 8 months and just had Day 3 and Day 21 blood tests done to check if all is okay - partly done this early because I was diagnosed with possible PCOS years ago via a scan and bloods.

My last cycle lasted 36 days (normal for me - though sometimes more or less). I had a positive ovulation test on CD 23, and my BBT rose by around 0.2C on CD25 and stayed that way until my period (it dropped from CD 1 of this new cycle and continued to fall back to a base level by CD 2/3).

I know that ovulation tests can be unreliable if you have PCOS (and only mean an lh surge in any case, not proof ovulation happens), which is why I started tracking my BBT last cycle - as I thought this would tell me more clearly if I'd ovulated. So I was pleased to see it rise just after the positive test, and stay up until the end of the cycle. But then today my GP has told me the 21 day test (taken CD 31) shows I didn't ovulate.

I believe the blood test is accurate (the GP was clear it's the most reliable measure), but I now just feel so confused. This was a normal cycle for me - I had breast tenderness and all my usual (what I thought were) PMS signs etc., plus the temperature rise. It's left me confused and also feeling like I can't trust any sign or test, and like I probably never ovulate (or next to never). Because this cycle was no different to any other. Despite the lack of ovulation we've been told I might well ovulate other months, so just to go away and come back once it's been 12 months. I understand this is procedure, but it feels so hard when I now worry we've no chance at all.

Does anyone have any advice? Any ideas why my BBT would rise if no ovulation? Are the symptoms the same whether you ovulate or not? (Or is all of this a sign I never do..?) Anything that might help? Any tips on how not to go mad..?!

Mmm this is odd, a temp shift does suggest progesterone was released suggesting ovulation did occur as do your symptoms. Does the blood test have a cut off level possibly where your progesterone maybe didn't rise enough to get a positive on the blood test? Can your dr shed no light on the conflicting results? X

Just to add it is totally normal to have sone months where you don't ovulate so don't stress about 1 month. If your cycles are semi regular then that's a good sign too x

Thank you, @sarahc336

When I asked about the temperature rise vs the negative blood test, the Doctor just said the blood test was more reliable. I forgot to ask for the specific results. She seemed fairly convinced there was no ovulation, though, rather than open to the possibility it might have been anything else... But yes, I'm confused by the temperature rise at just the right time - especially as it stayed up until my period.

And I keep telling myself it's normal to not ovulate occasionally. I think I'm mainly concerned the cycle seemed normal to me (length, symptoms...) and so I'm worried normal means no ovulation.

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought that it was only progesterone hay that can cause a temp shift and you only release progesterone once you have ovulated. I suspect your gp just isn't that clued on on this kind of stuff and unfortunately you wouldn't even be considered being referred to a specialist until trying for at least 12 months. I personally would assume you did ovulate this month and I'd keep do your bbt and keep trying and if need be get yourself referred at the 12 month mark xx

You need to ask for the progesterone level. I think it needs to be c30 to show ovulation. You could have increased progesterone levels but perhaps not quite high enough? Hard to say without knowing what your actual result is

Thank you, both, @sarahc336 and @kirinm

I called today and was told my progesterone level was 27.

I'm reluctant to doubt my GP, who was very clear the test showed I hadn't ovulated, but this feels a bit close to 30 to me to be so certain...? Taken with my temperature increase, I do wonder if I did ovulate but my progesterone was just a bit low? Which seems like a whole other problem in and of itself(?!), but perhaps a different one to not having ovulated.

Any thoughts or advice still so welcome. Is 27 high enough not to rule out ovulation..? It can all be a bit confusing and lonely at times, can't it?

Did you definitely test on the right days?

Mmm possibly you did ovulate but you have too little progesterone? Probably something they'd look into if you were still not pregnant after 12 months I suspect x

I'm not an expert at all but I assume progesterone rises so if you were a day or two out with either the blood test or ovulation then that would account for it being slightly lower?

Thank you all so much.

@whatever1980 and @kirinm I’m (unfortunately) fairly sure it was the right day for the test - I had it 7 days after the day between a positive ovulation test and a temperature rise. E.g. CD 23 I had an lh surge, CD 25 my temperature rose, and I had the test on CD31...

I do take a while to ovulate (seems like my body has a few attempts some months), sometimes have shorter or longer cycles, and I get spotting the day or so before my period starts (sometimes giving me a shortish luteal phase - 11 or so days - if you count the spotting), so I have wondered if something is a bit off with my hormone levels.

@sarahc336 - hopefully it is something they’ll look into and be able to help with after 12 months if it is an issue. I mean, hopefully I don’t get to that point...!! But if I do fingers-crossed they might be able to help if I get referred.