Very Low Progesterone

[Leannej1986]

Hi, I have a 4 year old son and for the last year been trying for a second baby, after 10 unsuccessful months of trying I went to see the Dr who gave me a blood test to check for various things and it came back with a low progesterone of 18, when it should be 30. I didn't realise how serious this was until I got pregnant this month and sadly had a chemical pregnancy. I was spotting throughout and bled at 4 weeks 5days. I tried to talk to my Dr about the low progesterone and going forward I wouldn't want to chance getting pregnant just to lose it again. She didn't seem to take my low progesterone seriously and encouraged me to start trying again as soon as possible. I've been researching ways to increase my progesterone myself and I'm back on Rheal balance tonic and Pregnacare vitamins which I know helped me get pregnant this month as started taking 6 weeks ago and had never felt as fertile as I did in the whole year I'd been trying, I've also ordered chaste tree berry capsules and sticking to a healthy diet, will this help, or should I be pushing for progesterone tablets?

Following

I'm so sorry for you .
Ref the progesterone do you have a spare bit of cash to see a private hormone doctor . This can be done by zoom if necessary.
I see one and she's been terrific.
Plus there is a very very good one who now works with This Morning.
They are both London based .
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to name them . But if you look on the this morning website you'll find her .
You are looking for about£200-300 for a one off appointment plus money for initial private script which subsequently can be reissued by your g p .

Good luck .

My gp or gynae wouldn't prescribe progesterone either. Nhs don't prescribe it until you've had 3 miscarriages.
I only got it in end up as went through ivf .
Could you pay for progesterone privately?

The rules changed , july 2023
Pregnancy loss review

Thanks myleene klass

You can get it after one miscarriage now

Thats so helpful
Thanks so much

@Woofie7 Thankyou for that, I shall look into privately and see if I can manage the costs.

@worldwidetravel2017 this clearly hasnt been implemented in all nhs areas because I've already had one loss and was informed I wouldn't be eligble by both my gp , and nhs fertility clinic in November that If I wanted progesterone I'd have to pay the clinic privately, which we did. The rules still stand with them they don't routinely prescribe it until you've had 3 loses.

They have to - its a new LAW

Do talk to tommys baby charity
Anddo print the evidence to wave @ them

Its your right

@worldwidetravel2017 it's not the law actually. It's only a pilot scheme that was rolled out in July 2023 that would see medical intervention after every miscarriage. That policy hasn't even rolled out yet

Ok maybe my bad - maybe not the law

However - tommys website says to share info with gynae / epu / show Gps etc

I thought it is / was a law change - il check

Hi, we've been actively trying for 2 years, plus 2 years off contraception. I had blood tests in October 23 and my progesterone is 4.3 and should be minimum 25(?) not 100% sure what that means and the doctor said 'fertility isn't my thing I can only read you the results, but it seems too low to ovulate'. I've been told September is the earliest I can have further tests e.g. fallopian flush etc. I called a private clinic yesterday and they said they can see me next week, and possibly put me on clomid(?). It is weird that I'm now panicking? I feel like something bad might happen, like it's just not meant to be. It's been put off for so long, I've just got used to it not happening. Now it could be happening I'm worrying. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I don't really have anyone to speak to. My friends either had kids by accident / on 1 try, or have no idea what to say. I'm so confused.

Progsterone should be 30 , 7 days after ovulation

If its over 30 - you likely ovulated

So 4.3 is really low then. Thank you

@ElizaSimpson Do you know the unit of measurement used for your result? Was it nmol/l or something else, like ng/ml? The former is supposed to be about 30+, the latter 10+. So it could be that you're low but not as low as you think.

Suggest repeating the test, in case it was a one off anovulatory cycle or the timings were off.

I've seen quite a lot of clomid success on here. Essentially strongarms your body to ovulate.

Thank you. I'm not too sure. I think nmol/l because she said 25 would be considered the low end of normal.

My advice would be to use the 4 gbp Amazon green ovulation tests - am and pm

And to check progsterone 7 days after ovulation

Just cuz its called day 21 test
Not everyone ovulates day 14 and has 28 day cycle.

Randox health can test progsterone for 30 gbp

I also really rate hertility health

Best 150 gbp i spent.
Private hormone and fertility testing

@worldwidetravel2017 thank you I will have a look at these options too.

@ElizaSimpson Hi lovely, get another progesterone test done, after my 18 score I had another progesterone test and was 54, some months you just don't ovulate. It's also so important to get it done 7 days before your period is due, I'm a 26 day cycle so I get mine done day 19 of cycle so need to track your periods etc.

Have u had pcos ruled out ?

Anyone who is unsure that they are ovulating every month ..

Good to ask your nhs gp to test shbg
And free androgen

If your shbg is low
And free androgen high

• you may have pcos

@Leannej1986 thank you. That's reassuring.