Please help! Need a vent & advice

[Waitingforthesunshine24]

Hi all. Please can those who have been through similar offer any advice. I am going mad within myself and don't have anyone to talk to IRL who understands infertility.
Been TTC #2 for a year. 37 have one DC of 5. Chemical pregnancy last May. Recently had fertility bloods. Day 3 tests - normal but my 21 day progesterone result has come back at 15. I have had a progesterone test previously and did it on day 21, however my ovulation is not always predictable so this time I followed my ovulation better and did the test 7 days after ovulation, hoping it would be more accurate. I used OPK to pin point (appreciate these also only predict the surge) my tests go blazing dark. Some months I don't ovulate till CD25. Can't get on with BBT but appreciate I probably need to get better at this.

Does a result of 15 likely mean I didn't ovulate?

At what point do you decide to see a specialist and potentially start treatment? I just can't envisage doing all this for another year etc it has been the most challenging thing I have done so far! Emotionally, mentally. I have deep admiration for women doing this for years.

For reference I have an thyroid autoimmune issue but this is all under control and my levels are all in range.

Thank you

Hi @Waitingforthesunshine24 I was advised to do a progesterone blood test 6/7 days after ovulation rather than 7 days before period due as I have a shorter luteal phase and got quite a different result when I did that. I think there are some tests (maybe proov) that can check you've actually ovulated, but I've based it on BBT to check I'm getting the temp spike. I used natural cycles and also ovusense which is an internally worn thermometer so you don't need to remember to take it and it's more accurate. I did find it stressful syncing it every morning and wondering what it would say though!

In terms of when to get help with fertility, I'd say go for it now esp if youre strugglinf with it all, its a tough process. The advice is a year TTC if you're under 35 or 6 months if over but it can be very slow going so I'd say speak to your GP about a fertility referral soon as you might wait a while for it, or if you're considering going private, they might not need to redo bloods if you've had them recently, but an ultrasound to see if there's anything going on would be a good starting point.

I had a progesterone blood test 7/8 days after ovulation (based on LH surge on OPK) and was told it had to be 20 or over to confirm ovulation. I've seen other people on here were told it has to be 30+. Mine was 21 so I think too low and suspect it is then dropping too quickly to allow for implantation.

Any NHS person I've spoken to just doesn't seem to take this seriously as a concern and it is very frustrating.

My plan for my next cycle is to try to Proov tests and there is a hybrid clinic you can get an online consultation and they will consider prescribing progesterone based on the results. The cost is quite reasonable so i'm going to give that a bash.

https://planyourbaby.co.uk/proov-consultations