Progesterone level 21.1

[LeMoo]

I'm very very new to all this & not yet at stage of investigating infertility which means I'm really struggling to get any clear advice / information / guidance from GP (when I can actually get an appt!)

On approximately day 16 of my cycle, my progesterone level was 21.1. I know this indicates ovulation but that's all I know. Is it a good result? Does it mean strong ovulation, weak ovulation or...what?

My testosterone/FAI is in normal range.

I'm late 30s so it's a pressing concern - I'm trying to work out what my current situation is.

Please, any help you can give I'd be so grateful- I'm totally at sea!

Hi @LeMoo! I was in a similar position not too long ago before going on a steep learning curve!

Progesterone is best measured 7 days after predicted ovulation- some doctors say to do it on day 21 but don’t explain that this is based on the woman having a 28 day cycle with ovulation on day 14, which isn’t actually that common, and so gives an inaccurate result if your cycle isn’t like this (my GP didn’t tell me all this initially…). I’m not sure if you’re using ovulation sticks etc, but might be worth repeating your progesterone test 7 days after your predicted ovulation if your previous progesterone test wasn’t in this timeframe.

Most literature online suggests that a progesterone result of 30 or over taken 7 days after your predicted ovulation confirms that you did definitely ovulate, although some doctors may say differently (my GP said my results of 17 and 24 on 7DPO were fine, but 2 private gynaecologists told me otherwise!). That doesn’t mean that your result of 21.1 is poor- it could be that you were quite a few days early having the blood taken on day 16 as you might not have ovulated yet, or only ovulated a few days before having your blood test.

You may find it useful to get your AMH tested as this indicates your egg reserve- your GP might not agree to do this though. Some online places do it via a finger prick test that you put in the post but my consultant has told me that this isn’t always accurate and recommended getting it tested using an intravenous blood test via a fertility clinic or private GP clinic.

Hopefully my ramblings make some sort of sense!