Progesterone test

[Overthinkeroverthirty]

Hi all, has anyone had a progesterone blood test done at the doctors and would be willing to talk me through it?

How hard did you have to push to have it done?

Did you book it for around 7 days before AF and hope you ovulate at the normal time?

Do you have two with one to establish base levels first?

I’m basically worried I’m not ovulating every month due to some irregular cycles. I’ve been to the dr once before about general conception nervousness and he said I have to wait the year for any tests. But I’m hoping they will at least confirm I’m actually ovulating or it’s wasted time.

Thanks so much ☺️ x

@Overthinkeroverthirty hello!

I’ve gone through / am still going through this process so might be able to help 🙂

Did I have to push?

Yes, sort of. I’d been to several Drs about spotting before my period - I spot for about 7 days in the lead up to AF.

Long story short, after clear scans, they were like ‘oh well, sorry, you’re just unlucky’. It was so frustrating cause I felt like something was wrong.

I went away and did a bunch of my own research and worked out that it might be hormonal, so I had a private progesterone test done. It came back low, so I took that to the Dr and that was enough for them to book me in for a test at my GP.

When did I take it?

First one I did 21 days after the start of my spotting. That came back suuper low at like 1 nmol/L and they were like uh oh. But then I realised I’d taken that at totally the wrong time of month. I should have taken it 21 days after the start of my actual period and not the spotting.

Second one I had done 7 days after I was pretty certain I’d ovulated (I used OPKs to check). That came back at 21 nmol/L. Still on the lower end but my Dr was sure it indicated ovulation.

I need to get another test this month, which I think I’ll time again 7 days after ovulation. I’m temping this month which will hopefully help to pinpoint the exact ovulation day.

All that to say - it REALLY matters when you take the test, and if you have spotting or irregular periods it can be so hard to know when you book a test.

If you need to convince your Drs to test you, it might be a good idea to get a private one done so you can show them the results if they’re low.

Feel free to ask any questions and I can try to help 🙂

Also just to add that I’m 35 and only a couple of cycles in to TTC baby no 1.

My GP has said that if the second result comes back on the low side that she’s going to refer me to the fertility clinic. I think for speed cause she’s aware I’m not getting any younger 😂

She said it’s totally possible I could fall pregnant in that time though.

@purplecolouroffunk thank you so much! This is really really helpful. I might book myself a private one so I have some ammunition if I need it and save me some stress.

I’m 34 cycle 3 of ttc baby no. 2 but 5 years older than last time. Still hopefully plenty of time for us though.

Wishing you lots of luck on your ttc journey x

Hi. I've just had this because I've had irregular cycles since my miscarriage. I started tracking my cycles including OPKs and BBT so had a lot of data to go to the GP with. It was hard to time with ovulation as I'm irregular so I booked two tests a few days apart and it worked out on the second appointment. I also knew how long my luteal phase is which helped with planning. Luckily it's all come back ok. Temping can be quite stressful but should give you a good indication of whether you ovulate.

@13lucy thanks so much and sorry for your loss. So pleased it came back ok for you. I’ve just starting doing my BBT and have been doing OPKs for months it’s just having that reassurance than an egg has definitely been released. I think peace of mind is really important when everything is so variable! Best of luck on your journey.

@Overthinkeroverthirty BBT is really helpful for that. Maybe give it a couple of cycles and see what's happening. Then you have data to back it up too. I was pretty sure I was ovulating from the temping but my periods have been light/short so they wanted to do progesterone anyway. Let me know if you have any questions!

@13lucy thank you so much, that’s really kind.