What is a 'normal' progesterone level on or around ovulation?

[kaytees]

Hi all!

This is my first post in infertility so I apologise if it's a totally thick question.

I've just had results from my second month of progesterone tests (day 21). According to LH OPKs I ovulate on or around day 20.

First month they couldn't detect any progesterone (it was taken a day before I ovulated according to OPK) and this month it came back as a level 4 (day after Ovulation). I know this is low but I was wondering if anyone had a breakdown of what the levels should be during follicular phase, ovulation and luteal?

(Takes about 2 weeks to get in to see my GP so thought I'd ask on here as I am a chronic Googler)

Thanks in advance x

Hi - to get a useful number they shouldn't r testing you on day 21 if you ovulate on day 20 ish. What you need to get your gp to understand is that testing on day 21 doesn't fit everyone, you need to test 7 days after ovulation, so if you ovulate day 20, you should have progesterone measured on day 27. It's meaningless if done at the wrong time. When done at the right time, a level of 30+ indicates you most likely ovulated, and level of 20+ I think means you may have but it may be that you ovulated earlier or later than they thought... a level below that means it's less likely you have. hope that helps!

Hi @Hobbes39 - thank you and I totally agree, I wish my GP would though! I have explained both months that my OPKs say I ovulate around day 20 (and therefore need tests day 27 ish, though that's often the last days of my cycle) but they insist on still doing the day 21 tests apparently to see if there's an amount of progesterone that would indicate ovulation is possible.

I understand it drops anyway after ovulation, so if it needs to be at least above 20 (and that's after it drops) and it's currently at 4 then I'm assuming there's no way I ovulate.

Progesterone rises after ovulation, peaks about 7 days post ovulation and then stays up if you are pregnant but drops as you come towards your period... so a level of 4 day after ovulation tells you little as it hasn't had time to peak yet... so don't despair - but do ask to see another gp if this one isn't listening! There are charts online that show you progesterone level - day 21 assumes everyone has a 28 day cycle and ovulated on day 14... some gps are just useless! X

This is a good image... shows the level rising after ov.

I'd just book the appointment for the day you think it needs to be done & ignore the GPs timing advice. I'm on month 2 of tests & the receptionist just asked me which dates I wanted booking in for.

Thanks so much @Hobbes39 - I can't believe I forgot that about progesterone rising after ovulation! The graph points it out really well.

You're right @rainbowgrimm - I might try and see if I can request more for day 27 this cycle and if not do it next month. Sounds like you're on the right track there!

You want your progesterone to be low (under 4nmol at least) on the day of ovulation. It then rises afterwards and the test should be done on 7dpo which is when you want to see the high number.

If your progesterone does price to be a bit low try reading up on Angus castus - I was low and AC helped me

Prove ...not price! 🙄

Oh thank you @closephine85 - I thought 4 was way too low but if I ovulated that day it might have been okay, I feel so much better knowing i was wrong on that.

@flumpybear I've heard about AC but don't know much yet (still fairly new to all these issues with conceiving/hormones) so will do some research and get myself to Holland and Barrett for my next cycle!

Hi @kaytees agree with what everyone else says re prog levels. But did you also say day 27 was usually last day of your cycle? Generally the body needs about 10-14 days of luteal phase after ovulation to give the embryo time to implant etc. Is it possible you have miscalculated - on a 28 day cycle you are more likely to ovulate between days 12 and 18? If you are ovulating on day 20 and having a period on day 28 you may want to talk to Dr about lengthening your luteal phase which is totally possible I believe.

Xxx

Hey @Janefx40 thank you for responding! My calculation of ovulation date is based on OPKs, temping and CM watch. My luteal phase is definitely too short for anything to implant etc, so have been on b6 this month to try and lengthen it. Had a chemical pregnancy in December which is when I realised about luteal phase and got more serious about pinpointing ovulation - really hoping the b6 has done something to lengthen it!

@kaytees aha! You are on it I see. Hopefully the B6 has done the trick. It's a funny one with progesterone and short luteal phases because I think progesterone has to drop for you to get your period. So one day post ovulation would be too soon to measure but 7 days post might be too late for you, if you are going to bleed the next day! Maybe you need to wait until luteal phase has lengthened and tested again.

Sorry about your chemical. It's not easy all of this TTC lark is it?!

X

@Janefx40 I try to be on it - I'm so grateful that so many other people on here have advice because my gp has mainly made the 'there's no way you're ovulating at all with these levels' speech a lot. I'm not convinced though!

It's really tough at times. I was very lucky to conceive DS first cycle and so when things have been complicated this time round I've found it hard, even though I'm so lucky to have him!

@kaytees it's a shock to the system. All docs up to now have been thrilled to tell me about how great all my hormone levels, lining etc are but I still never get pregnant so it's all meaningless in my case!

Anyway best of luck. I hope it all works out for you soon x

@Janefx40 I just wanted to update you (and anyone else who is interested) - I had a positive pregnancy test last Thursday. I think I'm still in shock, as the doctor was too.

I am so grateful to everyone for helping me work out all the things about progesterone!

Oh wow @kaytees congratulations! That is fab news. So no need to figure out luteal phases and progesterone levels after all! Wishing you a healthy and happy pregnancy xxx