progesterone levels

[gina84uk]

hi i was just wondering what is a normal progesterone level?

i had blood tests to test my hormone's and i was told that my progestrone was low but i dont know how low or what level it was.
they told me i had to go back for more blood tests on day one of my period and day 20.

i would love some info on this as i don't have a clue
thanks

i just phoned back the doctors and i think they said 16.5

Hi Gina,

Have been through all that progesterone malarky so understand how rubbish it is when they say "low" you think...how low? What can I do etc?
It is all about timing and depends how long your cycle is. Progesterone rises after ovulation so most Drs tell you to get blood checked on day 20/21 as the time it peaks is the week following ovulation. Average date for this as I'm sure you know is around day 14.

My cycle is 32 days though and so I was getting mine checked and it was coming back at about 7! This was because I actually wasn't ovulating but it could also have been because I got my blood checked too early i.e pre ovulation.
Fortunately I'm a nurse and can check my own results on the system and get my bloods checked as and when. When I started on clomid the specialist told me, Prog is barely existant until ovulation and then for a viable pregnancy it needs to rise to at least 30. Most specialists want you to have it to atleast 35. So if I were you, without encouraging obsessiveness! Get some ovulation strips and start checking around day 10. Then when you get a positive wait 5 days and get your blood checked..then you will know where you are and whether you are ovulating. Hope this helps...sorry about the essay, good luck x

thanks,they told me that i had to go back on the first day of my period and then again on day 20.

but to be truthfull i don't know my cycle,iam so irregular it is unbelevible i have always had this prob and it took me 4 years and 3 m/c to get my son. i have tried to study my cycle when i think i have it it go's again

They like to see a level of 30 or over.

However, progesterone is only part of the story. What they need to test as well are your LH (luteinsing hormone) and your FSH (follicle stimulation hormone). In many cases of hormonal imbalance (a condition called polycystic ovaries is a common culprit) the level of LH exceeds that of FSH.
This is why they are asking for blood tests on day 1 although this is usually requested on day 2.

In your case they should be checking thoroughly to see if PCO or thyroid imbalance is at the heart of the problem. Either could also explain the cause as to why your periods have always been irregular and why it has been so diificult to ttc.

Regardless of how the results come back you should be referred to a gynae at a subfertility unit as a matter of course.

Blood tests can also be done according to calendar days so you could go for your blood tests on the 2nd and 21st of the month.

Would also not use opk's if your cycle is irregular; they are not helpful in such circumstances.