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Low progesterone levels...

Hi! Some of you know that I am 3 weeks pregnant with suspected twins. My HCG levels are high, however, my doctor called me today to tell me that my progesterone levels are low. It was 7. She prescribed progesterone pills for me. I am reading on the internet and it doesn't look good for me to carry this pregnancy to full term. The information says that doctors prescribe progesterone in vain to save a pregnancy that would have otherwise ended in miscarriage. However, message boards from other women who have had this same problem have carried healthy babies to full term. I was just wondering if anyone had ever had this problem? If so, did you carry to full-term, and what was your progesterone level?
MasonsMom

254 Replies

  • Bumble Bee30

    In reply to wantbabytms:

    I just turned 30 and I’ve been trying to convince for the last 9yrs and no luck as well having pcos I’ve done 3 cycles so far of clomid and the highest my progesterone levels has gone is this last time recently. But oddly my OB has yet to have me try the metformin and I’m still staying hopefully any other options would be helpful
  • Bumble Bee30

    In reply to kristind:

    Same here but my levels weren’t where they needed to be only 8.4
  • jenn0627

    In reply to wantbabytms:

    Re: need just a little bit of hope
    Hello,

    I can give you the site where I have gotten mine for about 6 years now. http://www.altmednetwork.net. The natural progesterone cream is right on the front page. The reason I like this place for the cream is they have a pump bottle that gives you the exact amount Dr. Lee recommends. And I also recommend you get his book, 'What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Pre-menopause' - this is also available on this site or just get it at a book store or your local library. He explains much better than I can how progesterone and estrogen need to be in balance in a woman's body. Anyway, hope that helps and best of luck to you! - Jennifer
  • Jackie G
    Re: need just a little bit of hope
    Hmmm... I wish I knew what to tell you, but I never used cream. Hopefully someone chimes in soon with some info. Or maybe your OB can help you decide which one to use.
  • wantbabytms
    Re: need just a little bit of hope
    where would I find natural progesterone cream. I have looked at several websites and not sure exactly which one to choose. Which one would you recommend?
  • jenn0627

    In reply to wantbabytms:

    Re: need just a little bit of hope
    Hello...

    I know it can be very frustrating trying to conceive and it can seem hopeless sometimes especially when you are involved in the day to day charting of your cycle. I just wanted to let you know that it is possible to achieve pregnancy if luteal phase defect is what you have (your doctor can let you know if that is the case). Basically it means the second half of your cycle (when you produce progesterone that you need to sustain and keep a pregnancy) does not produce enough progesterone. With the environment, diet, stress, lack of exercise, etc. it naturally lowers progesterone (or better explained it increases your estrogen which overpowers your progesterone) and you can become hormonally imbalanced which can make it difficult to conceive. I recommend reading Dr. John Lee's "What your doctor won't tell you about premenopause". He spent his whole career helping women with their hormonal imbalances. I read his book and after trying for three years I was able to conceive by using natural progesterone cream. My doctor told me it would never work and that it was a waste of time. I liked my doctor a lot and I am not saying that doctors don't know what they are talking about but a lot of docs are not open to this form of treatment because they don't know how to dose it. Afterwards he wanted to know where I got my cream! To me it made perfect sense, the doctor told me I was low in progesterone and I had luteal phase defect and that to me meant I needed progesterone. Since that was the only fertility treatment I could afford I decided to give it a try. After about five months I conceived and I also did the same thing for my second child (I have a 3 and 6 year old). Dr. Lee explains everything in his book and even gives you places you can get the progesterone cream where they dose it properly. If anyone is interested, I can tell you where I get mine (I still take it monthly). I would recommend going to your local library or buying the book somewhere because it really helped me figure out what was wrong with my fertility. Hope that helps and good luck! -- Jennifer :smile:
  • Jackie G
    I can't say I know a whole lot about fertility issues, but I wanted to say that I wouldn't do anything without the dr at least knowing about it. I have heard of successful outcomes with people who take progesterone while they are trying to conceive but I believe in being honest with your dr. They are really there to help you out and they need all the pieces to solve the puzzle. If you don't feel it's working and that your dr is not taking things seriously than I would get a new dr. It's quite possible that the progesterone is safe and your dr will not have a problem with it, but if there is more information you need before you use the progestrone cream (how much, how often) you are probably best off to speak with the dr.

    Good Luck to you, I hope it happens soon!
    Jackie
  • wantbabytms
    need just a little bit of hope
    I am 24 years old and I have been trying to concieve for a year and a half. With no luck, I decided to see a fertility specialist. I was diagnosis with PCOS. I have been taking Metformin/Glucophage for 5 months, and am on my 2nd cycle of Clomid. My first cycle I produced a large enough egg and ovulated, but my Progesterone level was 5. My 2nd cycle of Clomid i was up to 2 pills days 5-9, produced 2 large eggs and was given hCG shot to release the eggs. So I released an egg from left and one from the right. A week later my Progesterone level was 2.67. Has anyone conceived with such a low progesterone level? and should I take a progesterone cream without my doctors knowledge? I just want a slight chance of hope.
  • mrsdrake415
    i'm confused what do you think
    I have been on clomid 250mg & dexamethosone. Went for my 21 day serum prog. test and the first time I got a 42.6. I just knew that i was preg. Come to find out I was not. My Cycle came. On day five I started same treatment clomid/ dex. Went for my next 21 day serum prog. test level. was a 2.76. Nurse did not start my count from my light days she wanted me to start count from day i got little heavy. Do you think my level was low because of testing at the wrong time or what? Someone please tell me what you think. :eek:
  • Kj74
    Hello I also have low progesterone, a fertility doctor discovered this after my secound miscarriage. The doctor instructed me to take the 2 progesterone suppositories daily until I get my period or if I am pregnant. After I did conceive I had to take the supositoiries for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This I believe was the only thing that was able to maintain my pregnancies. After our second child was born, my OBGYN discovered I had anovulation and if I wanted anymore children I would need clomid. I went ahead and took the clomid 50 mg and concieved the first month on it. I ovulated on day 22, and the prog test came back at 1.7 on day 21, so the nurse said i probably didnt ovulate and I would have to try again next month on a higher dose of clomid. Well my OPK said I ovulated on day 22 and it worked. So here am almost 5 weeks along, and I am taking progesterone to be on the safe side even though my levels were fine. Im taking them because they can drop. Thanks to everyone or sharing your stories.
  • courtneyann
    Need Advice
    Hello i am new to this board just found it and looking to see if anyone else has my problem. I am 28 years old, and have 3 children and had no problems...I am currently 9 weeks pregant again and my Dr. said my progesterone level is to low at 7 and they did a ultrasound and said the baby is not as high up in the utuerus as it should be but down lower in the utuerus (not a tubal) but that in alot of cases like this it ends up in MC. He started me on progesterone orally and said that might help but that its a day by day thing and he said I could miscarry at any time or go on to have the baby. I was just wondering if anyone out there has had this problem? I have never heard of the baby being to low in the utuerus. Can any one offer any advice? Thank You Very much. I am on total bed rest and very scared.
    Thanks Courtney
  • Lindsay W
    Progesterone levels
    Hi - This is Lindsay and I work at the March of Dimes.

    Progesterone levels in early pregnancy need to rise, but they can vary a lot from one person to another. Here is a link to good information that discusses changing hormone levels during pregnancy: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/earlyfetaldevelopment.htm

    For information on progesterone injections or suppositories to prevent premature birth, read our article: http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/21236_19093.asp

    It's always a good idea to discuss any questions regarding treatment with your health care provider. Make a list of questions and keep it in front of you when you talk so you won't forget to ask anything. And don't forget that you are perfectly within your rights to seek a second opinion if you feel unsure about the treatment options your provider offers.

    I hope this is helpful. Best wishes,

    Lindsay W.
    Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center
  • low pro
    OOPS SORRY THIS WAS FOR MASONS MOM
    I should have been more clear also , yes you can have ;pro after conception and yes in many cases it will help keep your pregnancy that is not my opinion that is from the Dr that told me her co Dr may have been a BIT REMISS when he sent us on vacation when I was 4 wks preg with a 4pro , I lost our child on th 2nd day of our vaca and had to smile and join my other children in all of their stuff. The Er dr said he should have given me a few shots or suppositories but he would not see me he said it was not NECESSARY . Don't cry for me if it's Gods will I will be sending this less than perfect med student as that is how he acted , the pic of our new son or daughter. Keep looking UP LADIES ! Drs are not God they are wrong sometimes and you need to shop around if it does not feel right I changed my dr in my 8th mo scared but that was my VBACK . BLESSINGS AND LIGHT TO YOU ALL MARY :smile:
  • low pro
    NO IT CAN SAVE YOUR BABIES AND..
    You should be much higher at three weeks my friend was put on bed rest and given 200 mg pro 2xs a day she is due any minute. It can save your children , however for twins I would get on that phone and ask for the suppositories or the injection not the pills , you need to get him/her to be a bit more aggressive , I know many woman who are moms now that had the same problem. Heck , I have it , After four babies no problems , 11/2 yrs it took for someone to find out that I was pro deficient . now we know what to do no fear , get on the phone and ask first then DEMAND these are your children they have the technology. You are in my prayers , please make the call . Blessings to you and your babies fight for them . Mary or low pro :eek:
  • Rashawn
    Very Scared
    I learned last week that I am in fact pregnant. I suffered a MC in Jan 09 and I am now pregnant again. I am bruised from going for bloodwork but I am well aware that they want to follow me closely. I went to my primary doc because I had conflicting HPT result, the first one was +, the next two were -, then in April for three days, I bleed..Well with the advice of my GF, i took another test that indicated +, I went to the doc and they did yet another urine test that read -, They decided to take blood and it was confirmed my HCG was 83.1, my Progesterone was 2.7. They sent me for another blood test the very next day bc they were convinced that i will have yet another MC, the next set of results were HCG 70, Progesterone 4.7....I followed up with my OB/GYN and got results on Tues. that my HCG is 270 and my Progesterone 7. I just went for another blood test today and will have results tomorrow. Naturally I am scared out of my mind because I don't know what they will tell me tomorrow. Any advice?
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