Borderline Progesterone Levels anyone?

[Jan9ne]

I am about 8 weeks pg. Had a tiny bit of on and off pinkish spotting. Bit concerned due to previous ruptured ectopic. Anyway, went to A&E yesterday but no chance of a scan sadly. They did an exam - cervix closed, no pain etc and took my bloods.

HCG 6000 and something - i forget which. Nurse said is fine although from the charts i have seen seems a bit low. What she was concerned about is 'borderline progesterone' which could mean ectopic or a failing pregnancy.

Repeat bloods tomorrow, scan tues. Anyone else had this borderline progesterone and what was the outcome - i can cope with negative stories - i have had several m/c sadly so know what it's like.

Thanks.

My experience is a bit different, but I was having day 21 progesterone tests (repeated regularly during the later part of my cycle, so it wasn't just that they did it on the wrong day) due to difficulty conceiving. On 2 consecutive months I was told that my progesterone level was so low that it indicated that I hadn't ovulated that month. The second month, it turned out, I was actually pregnant (obviously pregnancy levels should have been really high - I think they say over 30 indicates ovulation, and you need over 50 to sustain a pregnancy: my level over a number of tests was in the 17 - 20 range). DS2 arrived last week. Everyone is different, try not to panic about it, I hope it turns out well for you.

Thanks nearlytherenow. My day 21 tests were ok when i had them tested last summer. Hoping things will be ok but have a bad feeling. i have booked a private scan for tomorrow as can't wait until Tuesday.

I had low progesterone. I had ICSI via ARGC in London and before treatment I had a battery of tests one of which indicated I may be producing antibodies to my own progesterone so I was treated with steroids to dampen down my immune system and 800mg of progesterone pessaries a day plus 100mg progesterone as an intramuscular injection daily for the first 12 weeks. I had 2 cycles and both were successful, and the doc there said he liked his patients' progesterone to stay over 100, to aid placental development. If you've had repeated losses, I'd urge you to think about progesterone supplements ideally under the care of a specialist in this area. Hope that helps, and very very best of luck x

I know it spear really help you in this case but like bagofholly I have had my pregnancy monitored by the ARGC and they found my progesterone levels when first pregnant were too low for their liking so I've been supplementing them with progesterone suppositories.

If your cervix is closed that's a really good sign I would have thought. There's quite a few of us over on the conception boards on a thread called 'freak out room for the newly diffed after MC' or something like that, and very few of us have got away without having any spotting or scary coloured discharge, but it hasn't always meant impending doom. Huge hugs for you, I had some pink spotting at 11 weeks and it scared the hell out of me, but all seems ok so far (touch wood). You're very welcome to come and join the thread if you'd like some handholding.

Really hope things work out for you this time.

That's a good point PFF, spotting doesn't mean v much especially if it's painless. I spotted off and on first time, usually brown/pink blood, and had a huge bleed at 11 weeks - running down both legs - and again it was fine. I assumed I'd lost one of my twins but they were both fine. V good luck x

Thanks all so much for your kind words. I will pop over to the 'freak room' board. I am glad i will know one way or the other this afternoon. Just hoping against hope it's not another ectopic. That'll mean losing my only tube plus of course it's bloody dangerous! I am worried about this low progesterone thing. From what i have read it doesn't sound too good. Also i think my HCG levels seem v low although the nurse was unconcerned about that. Still having on and off very light pink spotting only when i wipe though.

How did your scan go? Am keeping everything crossed for you!

Well unfortunately the scan showed a sac but only a tiny dot inside - def not 8 weeks gestation and i am absolutely sure of my dates so unfortunately the pregnancy is failing. It was in the right place though and definitely not another ectopic which was my greatest fear. Had repeat bloods yesterday which i guess will show HCG and Progesterone to be falling. Hopefully my body will deal with it and i won't need an eprc. Got hosp appt tuesday morning.
I am surprisingly ok. I've been through this before. i have a beautiful dd. If i didn't have her i know i would be in despair right now. I will pop over to the m/c boards for a bit of support and thanks for your support xx

Oh jan9ne I am so so sorry :( I have had the exact same thing happen to me so I can imagine how you must be feeling. Will you b able to start any tests to look into the reasons for it? Take care xx

Thanks PinkFondantFancy. i will see my gp about maybe having some progesterone cream prescribed. i know they won't do any tests until you have had 3 m/c in a row. I have been pg 5 times but only one live birth. I got pg years ago by mistake which m/c at 6 weeks then had my daughter 5 years later - only took 2 months to conceive and uneventful pg and labour, then the ruptured ectopic followed by two m/c. Age is not on my side at 39. I had fertility tests as did DH which all came back as normal so could just be bad luck i guess. Did you have any investigations done?

Oh Jan9ne you poor thing, you've really been through the mill :( I had investigations done, but privately, as I'd 'only' had one MC and a CP. I went to the ARGC as they test for NK cells as well as the normal fertility tests, and they did find something amiss with my levels - they've been treating that and, touch wood, so far so good, but it's still fairly early days for me. I really hope your luck turns around for you.