Day 21 progesterone levels- please help!

[MelissaHC]

Hi, new to here!

Been ttc for over a year now, 26yo. Partner tests all fine.

My day 21 progesterone level is 14.1 nmol/L, which GP says is in normal range according to their lab (12-49nmol/L is apparently normal). However, I feel that even so, that’s only just within range- even thought my periods are regular, could there be an ovulatory problem? He isn’t being very helpful.

Also, at my old GP 7 months ago, the same blood test measured at 16.5 and was classed as ‘not ovulatory’. So what gives?

Anybody else had experience with this, or similar prog levels? Feeling very dejected and a little hopeless. I almost wish they had come in at not within normal range and been 11.9- so close, and yet they would have put me on clomid or equivalent. I can’t help but think I’m still a candidate.

Thanks!

Hmmm I'm sure mine were 21 nmol and GP said that suggested I hadn't ovulated that cycle as they looked for it to be over 30 to show ovulation had occurred.

Could you see a different GP? X

Well that’s sort of what I’m thinking- it’s the lab that has indicated it’s in a good range, he’s essentially done nothing more than just read it aloud to me.

I’ve arranged to go back to him on Tuesday next week, so hoping to amass some market research on this thread ideally! I’m also referred to gyno at hospital, but who knows how long that could take, and all the while I’m wasting time. Frustrating!

Thanks for replying x

For what it's worth, with me it turned out I was ovulating but had an issue with falling progesterone. I was privately prescribed cyclogest and went on to have a successful pregnancy. Hoping all goes well for you - and definitely a good idea to go armed with info! X

Thanks so much, i’ll Mention that.

How did they come to that conclusion in the end? Is there another test I should request?

Thanks x

We had quite a complicated history as it took us 3.5 years to conceive DC1 so when we struggled with DC2 we set a time limit and when we reached that we went private. At that private consultation I mentioned my day 21 test results and the consultant prescribed cyclogest. I used it from cd 14 and was told to continue it if I got a BFP but stop if bfn. I fell pregnant on the 2nd month of using it. So no additional tests - I think the consultant just thought it wouldn't do any harm.

Interestingly when we finally conceived DC1 it was after a cycle of ivf failed. During that cycle I was given cyclogest and I feel pretty sure that despite the cycle failing, the cyclogest made a difference as I conceived the month after the ivf failed.

It's a minefield navigating through all of this I found x

With ttc no.2 my first progesterone day 21 was 17 - apparently an ovulatory cycle but they'd 'seen higher'. Seen consultant the next month- he said as I have 32 day cycles and ovulate around day 18 the GP should be checking progesterone 7 days after ovulation so I got them redone at day 25 and the level was 21. Still not very high but an improvement.

GP couldn't answer whether I could get/stay pregnant at that level.

Gynae sent me for a HSG (hysterosaplingogram) the next month basically an x- ray of your uterus and tubes. They insert a dye with a catheter to do the x-ray. An anecdotal effect of the x-ray is the dye gives your tubes a clean out. 2 months later got my BFP with no further treatment after 5 years infertility. I would ask to get one again in a heartbeat well worth it. And that cycle I ovulated day 21 - thought it was too late to conceive!!

Oh and I'm due Friday 😁

Stick at it you'll get there!

Congrats!

That’s great to know, thanks. I will mention it. If I was to book a private MOT, is that one of the tests they might perform do you know?

I think that’s the thing as well, even if I conceive because I’m within an ovulatory range, it’s still incredibly low, so maintaining a pregnancy could be hard or impossible, so I’m a little shocked and upset to have not been informed of this by my doctor. I dread to think, if I wasn’t the type of person to ask for print outs and does her own research, would I have just accepted that and kept on blindly trying?

X

Hi OP - any update??

I am nearly 37
TTC #1
Cycles clench 21-25days

I had my 21 days bloods took last week and my progesterone came back 9.8, range is 16-28
I also had a transvaginal exam - showed no cysts but the lining of my uterus was v thin

I've just been referred to fertility clinic but I know the waiting list is lengthy - feel like I'm in limbo land now 🤷‍♀️