Anyone else had multiple early losses and low progesterone?

[farfallarocks]

Hello everyone,
I had a MC at 5+4 weeks in June
Got a BFP on Friday, spotting every since and now getting very faint BFPs with lots of cramping and spotting (same as last time). I am about 4+5 weeks now.

Had a progesterone test in August which came back at 20 (level should be 30)
GP said this confirmed ovulation but showed luteal insufficieny
I have other symptoms of low progesterone - spotting before AF, short luteal phase

As I await the end of another chemical pregnancy, am just wondering if anyone has successfully got treatment for this?

Is cyclogest the answer? Any pointers gratefully received.
I have an appointment with Raj Rai booked in for next Thursday privately as my GP is being a bit useless!

farfalla I had a mc at 10.5 weeks in June (found out the baby was not growing at 9 weeks). I then had a CP last month. I am now 4 weeks pg (again), this time the BFP seems more definite - like my other pgs, not the CP. I have been to my GP to ask for tests for LPD, as I ovulate on day 15 of a 23 day cycle, but due to CP and BFP have not managed to get the tests done. I asked for Cyclogest today, but was told that it was only prescribed if you have had 3 2nd trimester losses, which was not my understanding of it, but I'm no doctor. I am stressing because after a queasy day yesterday, I feel pretty much OK today, so have convinced myself I will lose this one too. I am meant to go for a scan at 8 weeks if I get that far. I have 2 DC already (used to have longer cycles), no mcs before the one in June, but am now 38, so worried time is not on my side... GP did offer to make an urgent referral to Obs, but don't see how that would help, if my hormone levels need attention now (only thing is, without tests, I have no proof of this).

I would be really interested to hear how you get on, and if anyone has any thoughts / advice.

catsy I am sorry to hear about your MC and CP but a cautious congratulations!

I will let you know how I get on on Thursday although I have read that he does not really believe in progesterone supplementation as he thinks low progesterone is a sign of a duff egg and miscarriage not the other way round.
Other consultants seem to disagree!

Hi farfalla. How are you today? I'm sorry you are going through this - it is very hard.

Interesting theory about the duff egg / low progesterone link. It does seem to be an area that there is a fair bit of disagreement on. There just seem to be so many variables in pg that it must be very hard to research and actually come up with definite findings as to what helps and what doesn't.

yes I quite agree, its so frustrating as you just want answers or a neat problem that is easily resolved!

I have no idea what is going on, no spotting or cramps, faint positive on first response, negative on everything else so I know what is coming but I just wish my body would get on with it!!
What about you?

Oh, I'm sorry. I was a bit like that last month, just waiting for my body to reject the pg. I had about a 50/50 split of faint + and BFN, over about 4 different makes of test, for about a week. I spotted on and off for about 7 days before a heavy, slightly clotty AF. It was almost a relief when it started TBH, as my mc in June was so awful I'd been dreading something similar happening. I had figured out it was a cp, and just wanted it over with too, so I could try again. Really hoping you get some useful feedback on Thursday.

Everything seems OK here, thanks. Knicker checking like a crazy woman, and over analysing every symptom / lack of symptom. I've never been so happy to feel a bit rough.

catsy sounds exactly like what is happening to me, I really want to just get on with it.
My body is now just producing EWCM just to totally mess with my head, no spotting.
Argh!

FX for you this time round

Catsy - all over for me this morning, argh!
Hoping for 3rd time lucky like you!

I'm so sorry farfalla. Hope it will stick next time. Take care.

far we have bumped into each other on other threads, just wanted to say am so sorry to hear about your m/c :(

I have very similar prog levels to you. My last 2 'cd21' results have come back at 21 and 23. I am sure I do ovulate (as I chart and get a distinct temp rise) but am thinking it's not a strong enough ovulation IYSWIM.

I did think about asking my GP to prescribe prog supplements from ovulation onwards but I know the answer would be no and I haven't a clue how to get some. From my reading aka Dr Google it does seem to help people with insufficient progesterone to sustain a pregnancy.

Hope your appointment goes well and you get some answers xx

hello pie yes we have indeed! Sorry that you seem to be going through this as well.

I was told anything over 16 confirms ovulation but between 16 and 30 indicates poor follicular development or luteal insufficiency.

From my own research it does look like clomid can help but also as you say, progesterone supplementation.

I will update you all on Thursday! Have you tried B6? I have a big pot of B100 on my desk but have not started it yet!

pie the one consultant I know is keen on progesterone is Yehudi Gordon at Viveka, are you based in London?

far unfortunately I am about 500 miles away from London! I am waiting for an appt at the local fertility clinic . My GP has suggested I will need clomid but she can't prescribe it, only the clinic can so just have to wait I guess.

I have read that vitamin C can increase progesterone levels so am sitting with a 1000mg effervesent drink on my desk!! Funnily enough when I conceived DS (without any probs!) I had been having a 1000mg of vitamin C daily for months beforehand. No idea if that contributed to the successful implantation/pregnancy though as I was also not knocking on the door of 40 like I am now!

Clomid scares me a bit but if might work then will give it a go! I don't think there are side effects though with progesterone supplementation? Not sure how it works though if you take it after ovulation? Do you then stop if you don't get a bfp and AF would start? They prescribe it without a thought really in the US (so it seems) but it seems different it the UK.

There is 10mg of B6 in my conceptions vits but I might take some extra? Acupuncture has also increased by LP by a day (to 12 days) so am hoping it stays that way!! My LP was only 10/11 days when I conceived DS so didn't think it would be a problem, but seems to be a different story 2nd time round.

Keep us posted ! x

On clomid I think they like to keep an eye on you and monitor you with scans to check how the follicles are developing. Is there anyone you can see privately so get the ball rolling?

I have read that about Vit C as well, its so difficult isn't it, there are all sorts of things you could take and I am starting to wonder if it all does more harm than good in the end!

Accupuncture has also lengthened my LP from 10 to 12 days and has helped with the spotting pre AF.

On progesterone - from what I have read it must be taken from ovulation not from the BFP and then if you get a BFN you stop taking it. My worry is that it delays AF and also there is a school of thought that it can delay the end of a nonviable pregnancy. I think there are some trials going on at the moment at St marys with progesterone though.

There is a natural progesterone cream which you can buy over the counter but again I am wary of messing about with hormones without a doctor!

Annoyingly there are no private fertility clinics in the city I live in otherwise we would go down that route. I do have private healthcare through my work which would cover investigations ie/ laparoscopy, ultrasounds etc but not treatment IYSWIM. I've already been referred to the NHS clinic so on the waiting list but not sure if I could also be referred for ultrasounds with a gynae at the private hospital? Might ask my GP.

I would also be reluctant to start messing with hormone supplements without medical supervision! I was also wondering about how you would get AF if you were taking progesterone supplements without being pregnant. This is such a minefield!!

Do you think you might be prescribed clomid?

Have got my Day 3 blood tests this week and am very nervous!

Good luck with the day 3 bloods, mine came back normal (sometimes a high LH and low progesterone can indicate PCOS)

I am not sure about clomid, will let you know what they say. Again some consultants only use it with no ovulation. Some use it even when there is ovulation to get things going more strongly. But its not without its risks and apparently can affect the womb lining and cervial mucus!!

Good luck with it all.

p.s. great that your healthcare covers it, mine told me that they do not cover miscarriage investigations as its a 'lifestyle choice'

Mmmmm, I didn't mention miscarriage to them - only fertility

I did wonder about PCOS but I don't really have any symptoms. My day 3 tests are getting done on day 4 - does that matter?

I had read about clomid and the lining and mucus. What I have found though is drinking grapefuit juice improved my CM from end of AF to ovulation in leaps and bounds!

Another thing to add to my list then!!!
Day 4 should be fine I think its any time from day 2 to 5

Good luck!

Just an update from me post consultant
He has ordered all sorts of blood tests for Dh and I and an ultra sound.
He said he does not need to test DH's sperm as they are clearly getting to the egg but he wants to check us for chromosonal abnormalities.

He thinks the problem could be my thyroid as my TSH is at 3.9 which he said is within the normal range but in his experience needs to be at 2.5 for conception purposes. He thinks I would be a good candidate to take progesterone from 2 days past ovulation but that he wants to rule everything else out first.
I asked about progesterone extending a doomed pregnancy and he said he would by a week or 2 but not much more than that.

He was totally dimissive of the NK theory and the use of steroids. I think the jury is out on that though as so many women seem to have had success on that front.

I got my thyroid level taken at the same time as a CD21 test but never got the actual number, will give them a phone and ask (my GP said it was 'fine') but it's always good to know what they are actually talking about!

Do you know what other blood tests you are getting done? Fingers crossed this TLC approach helps xxx

I don't but as soon as I get the letter I will let you know!