Hi,
I'm around 5 weeks along. We found out we were pregnant really early, at 9 DPO. HCG levels have gone up nicely (from 26 at 9 DPO to 133 at 11 DPO and then to 357 at 13 DPO). At 9 DPO, my progesterone was 69.5. which is great. It is probably a result of having taken clomid this past cycle (and maybe having accupuncture too!)
So why am I worried? I've had two prior early losses, both with very low (less than 10) levels of progesterone. My doctor said "your progesterone is very high and everything is doubling nicely, so we'll see you at 8 weeks!" But now I'm starting to get worried - - what if the progesterone started out super high but is dropping? Am I being overly paranoid? Would you call and insist on another blood test? Or do I need to just take a deep breath and keep counting down the days until that 8 week appt?
Thanks.
My story is a little different since my 7dpo P4 was 14.7, but I was still thrilled with it. I did insist on another progesterone test around 20dpo (4w5d) and it had dropped to 10.9, so I then insisted on progesterone suppositories, which I got. It it will make you feel better, I say definitely ask for it. It's just a blood test and if it gives you peace of mind, then it's absolutely worth it. The nurses at my doc's office kept saying it wasn't necessary to test again, but I'm glad I did. But like I said, mine was way lower than yours.
me: 31 him: 31 the brand new little guy 3/30/2012 and the 3 furry onesStill BFing and currently NTNP2 always remembered 9/2/2010 and 12/22/2010My Uploaded Charts (current) My Online Charts (detailed TTC charts, not current)See my bio for my complete history
Click here for lots of useful info such as adding a signature, sharing your charts, abbreviations, etc.
Click here to read about the new signature policy! Was your siggie edited? Click here
Thanks for your thoughts, lbm. I think I'll call my dr on Monday morning, and just ask them to do another blood test. It will have been 2 weeks since the first one at that point, and about two weeks away from the ultrasound, so I think it's reasonable to run it again. I'm probably being paranoid, but I think it will set my mind at ease. Thanks again!!
Well, so much for that. I just got a call back from the scheduling nurse, and she talked with the doctor in today (mine is out today) and she said that they just don't see any reason to repeat the progesterone test until it's been 6 weeks since the last test (it's only been 2). She said that because the first number was so high, there's just no need to repeat it now.
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I wanted to repeat it just for my peace of mind, not because I have evidence of it having dropped a lot (such as spotting or something). My only real reasons for thinking it might be low are that it was low in the last two pregnancies (though it was always low; it didn't drop) and my bloating has largely gone away, which I worried was because the progesterone is declining (though I know early pregnancy symptoms come and go). On the other hand, it seems reasonable to repeat it even if just for my peace of mind, and I'm a little annoyed they won't.
I'm going to just let it go. It is really tricky to figure out when you need to trust your own sense of paranoia and when you need to trust the medical professionals you're paying to provide their expert care to you. I will bring this up with my doctor at my 8 week appt - - I want her to know I was irritated by this. Sigh.
I don't understand what's the big deal about doing a blood test if it will give you peace of mind. Is it so involved to draw blood? Do they not get paid by your insurance if they do or something?
DH (35) Me (33) Ovulate on my own, no MF issues, infertility unexplained. Failed Treatments: 3 rounds of Clomid (1 IUI); 2 rounds of injectibles (2 IUIs), and one IVF - all with great response but BFN. FET # 1 (November 2011) - 3 5-day blasts transferred (also doing acupuncture) - BFP! It's twins! (Betas: 9dp5dt - 371; 11dp5dt - 726; born at 36 weeks) (Total time TTC = 2 years).
Hi Maygirl,
I don't understand either. It isn't like I'm asking them to do something that can harm you if you have it too often (like xrays or something). I learned today you can actually get a progesterone test done without a doctor's order if you pay for it out of pocket; there's a lab in my town that does it. I'm considering doing that for my own peace of mind, but then I would just freak out if it were lower and have to call back my dr and explain what's going on. Part of me feels like I should trust these people - - they are experts and they say there is just nothing to worry about with a progesterone that high. But, of course, I'm annoyed that they couldn't just humor me. Thanks for responding.
Hmm, mine were only 2 weeks apart - actually not even. It was 13 days. What does 6 weeks have to do with anything? If it will make you feel better, then get it done privately. Peace of mind is very important.
My progesterone was great too and I made them put me on progesterone supps (I had started them before I got my bfp so wanted to continue for peace of mind).
You do what will make you feel better. It's a simple blood draw, it's not like you are asking them to move a mountain!
Me 39 (and holding), borderline low progesterone, light endo & fibroids removed 10/6/09.... Dh 40, borderline low morphology TTC#1 March 2006 TTC Charts TTA Charts
Me 39 (and holding), borderline low progesterone, light endo & fibroids removed 10/6/09.... Dh 40, borderline low morphology
TTC#1 March 2006
First BFP 1/09/2010 wild yam root 500 mg cd 1-9, maca root 900 mg until 11 dpo, clomid 50 mg cd 5-9, NPC from 3 dpo, procheive suppositories 1st trimester
16 dpo beta 397, 18 dpo beta 863
9/26/2011