Low progesterone in early pregnancy

[chimmy]

Hi, i've recently got my BFP after nearly 3 years of on-off TTC (I have PCOS). As i'd been referred for fertility treatment i went to my consultants appointment today and told them i had a positive test. I had just been through cycle monitoring so they were surprised as they said my progesterone was low - i think they said 21 and it should be over 30. They have prescribed me suppositories but i'm worried its too late - i'm now 4+4 - does anyone else have experience of this - i.e. having low levels but going on to have a successful pregnancy?

Hi,

Congratulations on your BFP!

My levels were exactly the same as yours (21). I was prescribed cyclogest from ovulation which I was to continue with if I got a BFP and stop if bfn. I got my BFP on month 2 and the result is kicking away on her playmat right now. So I did start taking it slightly sooner than you have but only by 2 weeks which doesn't sound like a lot of time so hopefully all will be fine x

Thanks for your response Welshmammy123. I think i'm worrying because my previously sore boobs suddenly feel normal again and i have no other symptoms besides some sharp cramps now and then. I'm starting to take it tonight so fingers crossed it works.

Hi, my D21 progesterone (well, was day 20 as it turns out) on the cycle I conceived was 16 and stated as 'not indicative of ovulation', cycle previous to that it was 13 (though I think that one was taken too late in the cycle). When I found out I was pg I was 4+2 and rang everywhere I could think, gp, midwife triage etc to ask for progesterone to help it stick, but was told this is only given to ladies undergoing IVF. So just had to wait it out. If you have been given prog I would definitely take it I think could help and shouldn't harm. I had some spotting and had early scan at 6+4 and saw a little blob plus heartbeat! Few more episodes of spotting since (including this week) and am currently 19+3. Congratulations and I hope all goes well for you x

It seems like I am lucky to have been offered progesterone. Thanks so much for your response. I’ve had no spotting or bleeding of any kind, just some cramps so far. They are also doing an early scan in week 6 or 7 so hoping to get some reassurance then. Thanks again x

@5tarlight thank you for writing this post, I’m only 4+1 but this has been a worry as my levels were 19 last month and they were going to start looking into this further except I’ve now fallen pregnant this month, was worried my levels were too low. You’ve really helped put my mind at ease somewhat x

I’ve actually just realised that when I was first scanned and she thought I was about to ovulate she asked me to come back a week later for my progesterone test - however due to my PCOS and not knowing if the scan was showing a follicle or a cyst I was rescanned 4 days later and they did the progesterone test that day - therefore it would have been earlier than the 21 days and potentially that’s why it showed up as low?

Potentially, yes.

I’ve low progesterone but only ever took supplements after getting a BFP. I didn’t have levels tested on the month I got pregnant so I don’t know the figures but it was fairly consistently low, I had a very short luteal phase and a few early losses. Anyway, I started progesterone suppositories just after being 4 weeks and DTwins made it through! They’re now 15 months old.

Mine was 17 in May but once I used OPKs realised was taking day 21 bloods too soon. June timed it better but still only 21 GP said it was ovulatory cycle but she's seen it higher- got pregnant in July!!! While waiting on next gynae appointment!! I wasn't given suppositories and was worried but didn't need them somehow. I'm 22 weeks now

@chimmy same, it’s meant to be 7 days before AF, mine was done 9 days before (4dpo) so was hoping that was the reason for the low count x

@angelmiracle thank you for this 💜

Thank you all for your responses - it’s much appreciated. I feel loads better now, just need to sit tight until my first scan in a couple of weeks!

@sunshine1987 💕

2 members of my family used Prog pessaries to maintain their pregnancies after both having 3 miscarriages. I think they both started around 6 weeks and both had successful pregnancies.

Glad it was helpful, could find no advice at the time and I know exactly how you are feeling, you just want to give it a helping hand now you (finally!) get that bfp. All the things I read were US-based and they do give prog there.
As you say, it may well be that your (my/all of our!) tests were just on the wrong day. I had a shortish luteal phase (9-10 days) and I used opks and temping and still found my LP was not exactly the same each month. Add to that the way the blood test gets booked, based on CD 1 when a lot of us don't have a clockwork cycle - especially for you chimmy with pcos- then it is bound to be off. (My gp would never let me change it later even though I knew would be out based on opk) It would surely be better use of resources (and give us actual answers) to do a daily test say for 4-5 days around that point of the a month's cycle to catch the true peak. If you both have no spotting then I think that's a good sign. Sunshine your test def sounds too early at 4dpo am sure that's all it will be. Best of luck to both of you, these first few weeks feel so loooooog....
Congrats angelmiracle ( sure I remember you from other conception threads!) and big congrats to you Bertram with the DTs! 😍