Low progesterone + other hormones lowish

[Confusedddddddd]

I've just paid for a day 21 blood test and got results back- 17nmol as I suspected after being fobbed off my a fertility consultant my progesterone is low (from what I understand it should be over 30 nmol). I suspected it was low as my luteal phase is shortish (10-11 days). My cycles are very regular though and I get a LH peak and BBT rise so fairly certain I am ovulating.

I'm starting acupuncture in a couple of weeks anyway, but would you take this to a GP and ask for progesterone supplementation? Or any other form of treatment? Has anyone successfully done this? I hate being fobbed off about this sort of thing - I had quite a traumatic time years ago when multiple GPs refused to test my hormones for symptoms I was having, it took 3 years of tests before one agreed and it turned out I had a prolactinoma. The fertility clinic said there was no point testing hormones as my periods are regular, just recommended IVF if I'm not pregnant in 6 months. Obviously I don't want to go through the cost and stress of IVF if our problem is down to hormones.

I'm also a little concerned that everything else seems to be low too, still within normal but low. I was expecting estrogen to be quite high as I've been told I have a thick lining. Has anyone else had this?

Your other hormone levels seem fine for day 21. LH, FSH and testosterone are supposed to be low at this point. Did your day 3 tests show anything unusual (if you've had them)?

You could take B6 to try to boost progesterone and extend your luteal phase. Exercise is also supposed to be good if you don't already have that as part of your schedule.

It's interesting that you have a thick lining - lower progesterone often means it's too thin. I take it you had a scan for this? Did they confirm whether you're ovulating by looking for a ruptured follicle/ corpus luteum?

@sirensong I haven't had Day 3, I was mostly worried about progesterone so just paid for Day 21.

Yep thick lining was found during a Hycosy - it was 13mm on CD9 but it's always been around that amount on other scans I've had -which have coincidently fallen around the same time.
I also have some small cysts but not polycystic ovaries, which is why I have regular scans.

I take Pregnancare which I think has a fair bit of B6 in it but I'll check again. Exercise is something I could do with more of, but have struggled since DD stopped enjoying the pushchair/carrier as I used to take her on long walks before. I guess I need to find a new activity.

Your GP should be able to do day 3 tests for you but if they're a nightmare to deal with you could consider paying.

If you have another scan, try to do it in the luteal not follicular phase, to confirm whether you are ovulating. If you aren't for any reason, there are options (letrozole etc) to reduce oestrogen dominance and stimulate ovulation. This sort of thing could be considered before IVF.

My scans are nhs (other than the Hycosy recently had) so I don't get much say in when I have them.

I'm quite confident I am ovulating though, they've always been able to see a leading follicle, I get quite strong ovulation pains and always have a BBT rise, and cycles are very regular. I've had 4 cycles in the last year where I've had vvvvvvfl for a couple of days then nothing, which is what prompted me to get progesterone tested as I'm wondering whether my issue is with implantation.

I also heard letrozole/clomid is used to thicken lining though? Whereas mine is already thick.

If you're about to start acupuncture I'd definitely share this information as your practitioner can focus treatment on boosting progesterone, balancing the cycle and ensuring your luteal phase is a good length. You may find that you don't need to take medication then. But you can do both if needed. Good luck 🙂

I don’t think I have anything useful to add other than in similar boat - 21 day progesterone below 30. Notice you’ve got SHBG on the low borderline too - I did on my tests too. It’s really frustrating when things seem out of whack but you just don’t know exactly why? My gp is sending me for an ultrasound to check for PCOS, but my testosterone is slightly high too and I’ve got some other symptoms like a bit overweight.

I’m taking B6 to try and boost progesterone, plus trying to really focus on getting more protein in my diet and more exercise. Not sure if it’s helping yet though.

@1woodpecker I still frustrating isn't it? How long have you been trying? We're coming up to a year. I have a lot going against me fertility wise but I've conceived twice easily though second time was ectopic. I'm checked my remaining tube and it's clear.
Strangely, this month is the longest luteal phase I've had in a while (12 days) despite the low progesterone.
The gp sadly didn't offer me a day 3 test just day 21 so I'll repeat that but I asked to have my thyroid tested as I know it's been a bit off in the past.

Hopefully you'll get some answers from your scan

@KBACU thanks. Have you had success with acupuncture?

I'm kinda wary of it, but also feeling very hopeful as I've heard great things about it.

very frustrating! Only a few months really - but I went into it already having an awareness that my hormones were out of whack so never had any optimism which is depressing really.
that’s a good luteal phase! Mines usually 11-12 days, occasionally 13. I have really short, light periods though so wonder if my lining is thin.
Good idea to do day 3 and thyroid. I’ve used hertility a few days over the last couple of years to monitor my day 3. Probably throwing money down the drain 🙈
ive been reading about Vitex/agnus castus for raising progesterone, but confused as Boots product info says not suitable for trying for a baby. But other info only recommends it. Confusing!

@Confusedddddddd I'm an acupuncturist so definitely have had success! I specialise in fertility and women's health and see quite a few women in the same situation. It's really normal to feel a bit nervous about trying acupuncture for the first time but it'll be absolutely fine.

If you can give it time, regular treatment (I usually see my patients every week for the first cycle then twice a month after that) over the next three months should see a big improvement in your cycle. From what you say there's a possible imbalance with the fluctuation of Kidney Yin and Yang in your body. Treatment can restore that balance which will translate to better progesterone levels in the second half of your cycle.

Hey @Confusedddddddd I’ve just posted a thread and then stumbled across yours which is almost exactly the same. I’ve just had progesterone bloods back as 16.1, have a short luteal phase, spitting from around 7dpo with cramps.

my GP has just come back to say “normal, no further action” and it’s hit my like a tonne of bricks as i know it’s supposed to be over 30. been trying to get them to pay attention to my symptoms for soo long and feel like they are totally ignoring everything.

ive also just started acupuncture in the hope it helps in some way

have you had any luck with speaking to anyone/getting any further with your GP since this post? Sending a big hug! XX

@Bloop123 I haven't gotten any further, I asked GP for a full hormone test and to test thyroid (as I've had issues in the past). But they've just given me a form for another day 21 test. I'll be doing that next week and then see where I go from there.

I'd be happy to pay to go private to get it sorted but even then I have no idea who to turn to. I'm also under gynae for ovarian cysts (which I read can be caused by low progesterone) and should have my next appt in the next few weeks so I'll ask them too.

Even the fertility clinic weren't interested as I have regular periods, they did say I have a thick uterus which again I read is caused by low progesterone!

Which symptoms are you having? I've just gone through 6 months of night sweats but they seemed to have gotten better after starting CoQ10 and Omega 3 DHA. I've also started magnesium as it's meant to help with progesterone.

@Confusedddddddd

my symptoms are spotting every single month from around 6/7dpo and recently I’ve really noticed period like cramping throughout the whole luteal phase too. And then obviously no luck in the baby making department.

i went to have a coloscopy the other day and the consultant said a similar thing, that because my periods are regular (around 27/28 days) she’s confident I’m ovulating, so I imagine the symptoms must be cause by the low progesterone.

Day 1 of my period today and I’m going to really try and focus on boosting progesterone this month. I’ve heard that a keto type diet helps, vitamin B, and I was thinking about trying some progesterone cream as well? I know women use it for the menopause so not sure if it’ll do much haha but figured worth a try xx

Thought I'd give an update as I've had my results from my Second Day 21 test and it was 37. I ovulated from my "good" side this time, the other has a couple of cysts on it.

I'm now doing a day 3 test so will see if that brings up anything interesting.