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I am about 5 weeks and don't go to the doctor for 3 weeks for my blood work. I did have a miscarriage last June and it broke my heart. So, since I dont' see the doc for 3 more weeks does anyone know of any signs beside the spotting that I should watch for to let me know if I have a low progesterone level. My cousin didn't produce progesterone correctly and wound up having several miscarriages. I don't think I could handle losing another baby right now and this one was an unexpected blessing.

Thank you Becky and Becky C for your responses. I guess I am just one of those women, but I would much rather deal with the progesterone than loose my baby!
Candice, I have not had any bad side effects from prometrium, but I have read about some women feeling "drugged up" and dizzy. I hope that this is not the case for you.
Kay my levels were that low at 5 weeks. And I too, like you, can get pregnant by just breathing! I am now at 12 weeks and all is great. I am still on the prometrium. The baby looks great! Good luck to you. It looks promising!
Good luck to you Debbie, let us know how things go.

I am 5 weeks 5 days. On Sunday I went to the ER because I was bleeding and this is my first pregnancy so I was frightened. They drew blood and told me that I had a threatened miscarriage because when they checked my cervix was sill closed. When I saw my Dr. on Monday he was concerned that my hcg had not doubled, it went from about 6600 to 8200 in 23 hours, and my progesterone was low. He put me on a supplement of 200mg twice a day after the u/s showed that the sac and fetus was still intact. There wasn't a heartbeat because it was too soon. I am supposed to go back to my Dr. on Monday, but it is so hard to wait. i am glad I found this sight, I now have more hope. Is this similar to anyone here who has carried to term?

Progesterone levels can vary from laboratory to laboratory. The level can also vary from morning to afternoon and even drop 50 percent after a meal. Unfortunately, most physicians are not aware of this fact and do not advise their patients to check levels early in the morning and while fasting. Any level over about 2 or 3ng/ml likely indicates ovulation. A fasting a.m. blood progesterone level over 10ng/ml in our lab indicates normal follicular development and ovulation. There is no specific value necessary to "maintain" a pregnancy. In fact, I have had patients with enzyme defects who had levels of 2ng/ml who have carried without a problem.
This brings us to your next question. Rarely is progesterone supplementation of any value. A low progesterone level seen during pregnancy is a sign of a failing pregnancy, not its cause. Progesterone replacement for "luteal phase defect" does not correct the problems with the developing follicle. Ovulation treatment is necessary to fix this problem. There are no studies that show that adding more progesterone can save a pregnancy. This is a myth that has been foisted on many women by well-meaning physicians who are not aware of the latest research in this area.

Progesterone treatment should be reserved for women who have undergone ovulation treatment with injectable medications, those who underwent IVF or egg donation, or those who are suspected of having an immune basis for recurrent pregnancy loss. For these cases, several forms of supplementation are available. Progesterone creams can vary in strength and absorption from brand to brand. The use of progesterone troches or suppositories is a very cost-effective alternative to injections or Crinone vaginal cream (which is very expensive).

Marsha: How is it determined who should go on progestrone, then? For those not doing IVF, who have had recurrent miscarriage (like me)?

My husband and I have been trying for a baby for 6 months, as I'm over 35 we were advised to get things checked out. I've just had a Progesterone test on the 22nd day and my Gyno basically said, "I think you're pregnant, you have 87 ng/ml". Does anyone know whether this progesterone level is significant during the mid-luteal phase.

My husband and I have been trying for a baby for 6 months, as I'm over 35 we were advised to get things checked out. I've just had a Progesterone blood test on the 22nd day and my Gyno basically said, "I think you're pregnant, you have 87 ng/ml". Does anyone know whether this progesterone level is significant during the mid-luteal phase.

Viv: My understanding is that both non-pregnant and pregnant levels can vary. But in general, the midluteal (middle of the second half of the cycle) progesterone in a non-pregnant patient is 8 to 10, but can be as high as 20 ng/ml. In a pregnancy cycle, it should be greater than 10 to 12 ng/ml But 87 is VERY high. Unless your taking suppliments, that is. Did you miss a period yet? What's your Hcg level? All of those variables need to be considered.

I'm glad I found this site. I took a home pregnancy test this past Tuesday and it came up positive. I went to my Dr's office on Thurs for first exam and the test there was inconclusive. They did some blood wook and they called me today to say, Yes I am pregnant, but my progesterone level is too low (13) and I need to take a supplement. I'm approximately 4 1/2 to 5 weeks pregnant. I've had two healthy non-eventful pregnancies in the past (1 at 26 and 1 at 35), I am 38 now and am wondering is it because I'm "too old".

Marsha-I have a question about the information you posted. First of all, are you a physician? I was just wondering what credentials you have so that I may ask you to clarify some of the things you said. I understand that if a pregnancy is failing because of some genetic or "luteal" defect that progesterone supplimentation will not save the pregnancy. But what if their is no luteal defect or genetic problems. Isn't it possible for the embryo to develop normally but have failing progesterone levels for some reason? Low enough to cause the woman to shed her lining-not because of genetic problems but because something in her body isn't regulating the progesterone level itself. Why then, wouldn't supplementation be helpful if not even necessary. I personally have Graves Disease(Thyroid Disorder) and sometimes my Thyroid levels drop during pregnancy. When this happens it causes my hormones to "mess up" thus dropping my progesterone levels and threatening a misscarriage. If I take progesterone, it can safeguard against the drop in progesterone that could happen as a result of my low thryroid out put. Also, I would be very concerned if the OB GYNS didn't know or have access too all the latest information regarding this hormone. I could not tell from your post if you were a physician or a lab technician of some kind but would you please let me know and if you can, please clarify your answer to us. I am sure alot of us women would be a little unnerved if we thought our Doctor's didn't know all the latest information. Thanks in advance for your response.

Becky re: Marsha: While I don't claim to be a doctor, the research I've seen suggests the Jury is still out on whether or not a low progesterone level seen during pregnancy is a sign of a failing pregnancy, OR a possible cause. I could give references to those studies, or folks could just ask their OBGYN. My guess is that if everyone who is reading were to ask their doctor about the efficacy of progestrone, we would see many different responses. New studies are going on all the time. I myself am on the fence, but am leaning towards giving it a try next time since the risks of defects seem low.

Hello everyone. It's been very comforting reading all your posts. I am 36 and have been seeing a fertility specialist. I am finally pregnant, however, my hormone levels are very low. At 6 weeks my HCG was 856 and my progesterone was 6. My pregnancy symptoms have disappeared and the u/s showed a yolk sac that was very small for it's age. My doctor put me on progesterone suppositories, but has advised me that this pregnancy is "questionable". I will likely miscarry. Next Thursday I have another u/s and more blood work to find out definitively what the situation is. I'm still holding out some hope, but realize there is likely something wrong with the fetus. The waiting has me a nervous wreck. Any words of wisdom from someone who's been there?

Hi Lisa~ Yes hold out hope. No matter what the doctors say if you baby is menat to make it...it will. I am 35...and had a miscarriage in Oct. I am pregnant again. I thought I was
8w....but US says I am 6w3d. They saw a heart beat but it was slow. I am going to switch doctors....she handled it very poorly. Basically gave us no hope. But I know different. Things can happen early in pregnancy. But like my Mom said....when they were having babies they never saw all this so early....the same things could have been happening...but they didn't worry becuse they didn't know. A very good girfriend of mine was told by a doctor that her father had very little time to live...his heart was operating at 15%, and he would be lucky to make it through the month. Well that was a year and a half ago...he is swimming 40 laps a day and palying tennis. So try to have some faith it GOD. Doctors are just people going off of statics....God doesn't work within statistics. I am praying for you and your little one!

Becky- Just thought I would update you. I had my D&C yesterday. I am still feeling a little yucky from the anesthesia. I hope that all is going well for you! I am doing okay emotionally. I would like to make a comment about the whole progesterone issue. Yes, there is much debate as to the effectiveness of using it after you have already discovered you are pregnant. I know that Marsha appeared to be on the opposing end. I know that some feel that a low progesterone level may be indicative of a failing pregnancy. Well, I don't think that is always the case, especially if you have normal HCG levels! My progesterone was low with my first pregnancy. I had normal HCG levels. I used a suppository to help supplement. I now have a beautiful daughter.

hi everyone...i am 7 weeks along and had tests done saying my progesterone level was 9...doctor gave me depositories to take when i go to sleep.......will it have any long term affects?

Hi all. My first post was at the beginning of December after my 2nd M/C in 10 months. I've since seen my OB and she did all the proper blood work and found no hormonal inadequacies but still prescribed prog suppositories twice daily 100mg each. The only two times I have been pregnant recently were while using a prog cream for PMS. Other results showed hypothyroidism which I have started taking Synthroid for. (Net research showed and doctor confirmed increased M/C rate with thyroid issues.) So, I assumed that the suppositories would guarantee a pregnancy since they are much higher dosage than the cream. Well, my period is due today so I took an HPT and it's a big fat negative. The point of all this is to say that I'm not so sure now that it's the progesterone that makes the difference. I have agreed with Stephanie in spirit that if its God's will, it will happen but my heart hasn't followed and I continue to try to control things on my own and am getting disappointed repeatedly. Maybe the prog produces a placebo effect in pregnancy meaning that we think we're doing something to help but what we're really doing to help is not worrying so much anymore. I hope that makes sense and brings comfort to someone, myself included. We have agreed to stop trying. I am trying to take my own advice and stop worrying and trying to control things.