What does my progesterone test result mean?

[Soconfused2021]

I'm very, very confused.

So I took a test from Superdrug to test my cycle day 21 progesterone. I took it on Thursday and my period is due next Thursday.

I got this result today:

"The progesterone level in the sample you provided is normal at 14.6 nmol/L.

30 nmol/L usually indicates ovulation.

Lutel progesterone 5.8-75.9 nmol/L is normal in this phase (the last two weeks of a cycle).

Hey @Soconfused2021, I get regular periods and also have low progesterone. It’s unclear if I’m ovulating or not tbh but one consultant told me it’s not “optimal” ovulation and another told me what your results said, which is that non-ovulation is below 5. I had one progesterone level of 17 and another of 10.

I have nothing much of use to add sadly, I’ve been going round in circles with this for months. I’ve been told I may not be able to sustain a pregnancy with these low progesterone levels, which is true, but what’s also true is women can get pregnant with these levels and do ok, others might need progesterone support. I’d speak to your GP about betting Day 21 tests and see what they come back as when you do them again.

The only thing I’ve learned is b6 can boost progesterone so do some reading on it and make sure you’ve got some in a supplement.

Your result means that you are unlikely to have ovulated in the previous 48 hours. It doesn't mean that you aren't ovulating. It might mean that you don't ovulate or that you ovulate some months or that you ovulated earlier or later this month.

@thislittlebird

It's all so very confusing. I had my son 10 months ago and we conceived him in the first cycle. In February I had an early miscarriage at 4 weeks and 5 days. I wonder if this could have been caused by low progesterone?

I had my AMH tested and it was 22.50. I was told that's a okay/good value for my age. I'm 34.

I also did a day 3 home test which showed my LH and FSH in the normal range. They weren't 1:1 though, which according to mumsnet they have to be.

My estrogen was a bit on the lower side.

That's the problem with home tests, they give you results, but no
interpretation of the results.

I think I have a serious hormonal imbalance. I really hope I can give my baby a sibling and I worry everyday that it might be too late for that.

I have a fertility appointment arranged in 3 weeks at a fertility clinic. I hope they can give me some answers as the consultation alone costs 200 pounds.

I had a high blood loss during labour (2.1 litres) and I'm worried that my pituary gland is damaged and that my fertility is destroyed beyond repair now due to the blood loss and that the hormonal imbalances are a result of that. :(((

I had an ECV done to turn my son from breech to normal position to avoid a C section. It worked, but I had a horrendous labour with this huge blood loss and I wish I had gone with the c section. Maybe I wouldn't be in this situation now if I had had a section. :(

I think it says your results are 14.6 nmol
And "Lutel progesterone 5.8-75.9 nmol/L is normal in this phase (the last two weeks of a cycle)."
So at 14.6 nmol your progesterone is in the right range for the phase of your cycle and all normal.

The blurb at the end would apply if your result was

@Soconfused2021 Sorry to hear about your miscarriage, it probably doesn’t cause the low progesterone but maybe the other way around (though I’m no expert, just spent a year reading about low progesterone topics lol). There’s lots online about it if you have a google. I don’t have any kids unfortunately and have been trying for a couple of years, it’s such a frustrating thing when there’s little agreement on what it means. On the plus side you’ve managed to conceive so it may well be ok for you, could just take a bit longer this time.

I wouldn’t panic though, it’s likely not related to the things you’ve had done previously. From what I’ve read stress can cause it too, and the doctors I’ve seen haven’t been too concerned because if you get pregnant they’ll prescribe extra progesterone for support. Try to remain calm and see what the fertility clinic suggests when you see them.