Was hoping I could get some opinions on my situation. I've had breakthrough bleeding (starting at about 7 dpo) for the last 6 months. This is not normal for me. I got my progesterone checked at 8 dpo and it came back at 9.4. My OB thought it was normal but it seems low based on what I've read. The bleeding is pretty light and therefore consistent with just a slightly less than normal progesterone level. I am thinking this may be standing in our way of getting pregnant. My doc suggested that we move on to getting me tested for structural abnormalities and getting an SA for DH (which I am fine with), but I am not ready to give up on the hormone levels as the culprits. I just have this nagging suspicion that it is the low progesterone that's throwing my system a little off and that disbalance is enough to prevent a pregnancy. Any opinions?
I'm in a very similar situation - spotting early for the last 6 months or so. My progesterone was 7.4 and my OB said it was on the lower side of normal. Her solution was Clomid (unmonitored and without further testing other than an SA). Instead I went to an RE and I'm in the midst of the testing now. So my OB did not see any value in prescribing progesterone supplements and instead said the treatment would be Clomid.
My OB thought this might be my issue as my progesterone levels were really low. Clomid did not help at all. After 4 months we moved on to an RE. In addition to an HSG(which is probably what she'll use to look for structural abnormalities and the SA) you may want to suggest CD2 or 3 bloodwork for FSH, LH and prolactin.
diam124 and akacharlotte, thanks so much for your responses. I will follow my docs advice and get the structural stuff checked. I am going to ask that they check the hormones for another cycle. I just have a feeling it is a luteal phase issue. GL to both of you!!!
anniegirl Just wanted to pop in with my experience. While on BCPs, I used to get break through bleeding every cycle in about the third week of pills. I tried a lot of different brands and no change seemed to work, which was one of the reasons why I stopped taking them.
Unfortunately, even after I went off the BCPs, the spotting continued. I didn't really worry about it until we started thinking about TTC and I started charting my cycles. That's when I realized that I spot for about 7 days before AF (sometimes starting as early as 4 dpo) and had a relatively short LP. I also suspected a progesterone deficiency and my gyn agreed to do a 7 dpo check, which came back on the low side (around 8, IIRC). My gyn was not concerned and even when I pressed her she said that number is consistent with a woman who is not pregnant. At the same time, I got my thyroid function checked (another common cause of AF irregularities) and it turned out I was hypothyroid.
I decided to see an endocrinologist with experience in reproductive issues and raised the spotting question with her and also told her my progesterone level. She knew we were TTC and was very thorough generally. On the spotting, she told me not to be too concerned and that some people just spot during their cycle without any harm coming from it. I thought that was a lot of hot air, but didn't have the basis to challenge it since we had only tried for a couple of cycles.
Once I got my thyroid function under control and got the green light to TTC, I was in the 2ww and not feeling very optimistic because I had the same spotting as usual before AF. Yet, I had a lot of wierd symptoms and decided to POAS, which was positive. I kept spotting for a couple of days after that (although it was getting lighter instead of heavier, as usually would have happened) and went away right around when AF was due. Since I had a BFP and was still spotting, my gyn ran betas and did a progesterone check, both of which came back strong. I'm now a little over 11 weeks and have only had one other brief incident of spotting and have not needed any progesterone supplements.
Sorry for the very long post, but just wanted to throw my story out there since I also really thought I had a progesterone problem and would have a lot of trouble conceiving but ended up getting pregnant successfully despite the spotting.
L&L, thanks so much for taking the time to share your story. It made me feel so much better! Congratulations on your pregnancy, happy and healthy 9 months to you. I am hoping to find (and eliminate) the reason for my spotting since this is pretty new for me, but it is good to know that spotting by itself won't prevent pregnancy.
anniegirl Just wanted to pop in with my experience. While on BCPs, I used to get break through bleeding every cycle in about the third week of pills. I tried a lot of different brands and no change seemed to work, which was one of the reasons why I stopped taking them.
Unfortunately, even after I went off the BCPs, the spotting continued. I didn't really worry about it until we started thinking about TTC and I started charting my cycles. That's when I realized that I spot for about 7 days before AF (sometimes starting as early as 4 dpo) and had a relatively short LP. I also suspected a progesterone deficiency and my gyn agreed to do a 7 dpo check, which came back on the low side (around 8, IIRC). My gyn was not concerned and even when I pressed her she said that number is consistent with a woman who is not pregnant. At the same time, I got my thyroid function checked (another common cause of AF irregularities) and it turned out I was hypothyroid.
I decided to see an endocrinologist with experience in reproductive issues and raised the spotting question with her and also told her my progesterone level. She knew we were TTC and was very thorough generally. On the spotting, she told me not to be too concerned and that some people just spot during their cycle without any harm coming from it. I thought that was a lot of hot air, but didn't have the basis to challenge it since we had only tried for a couple of cycles.
Once I got my thyroid function under control and got the green light to TTC, I was in the 2ww and not feeling very optimistic because I had the same spotting as usual before AF. Yet, I had a lot of wierd symptoms and decided to POAS, which was positive. I kept spotting for a couple of days after that (although it was getting lighter instead of heavier, as usually would have happened) and went away right around when AF was due. Since I had a BFP and was still spotting, my gyn ran betas and did a progesterone check, both of which came back strong. I'm now a little over 11 weeks and have only had one other brief incident of spotting and have not needed any progesterone supplements.
Sorry for the very long post, but just wanted to throw my story out there since I also really thought I had a progesterone problem and would have a lot of trouble conceiving but ended up getting pregnant successfully despite the spotting.
Good luck!
what is the normal range of value for hypo thyroid when you say it is in control just curious
I just wanted to say that from everything I've seen - Progesterone levels at approximately 7 dpo should be above 10. I was at exactly 10 and my doctor insisted that I supplement.
As for the TSH issue - L&L are you being treated for thyroid issues? I ask because my TSH came back at 2.98 and my doc said that is fine. But I've read it should be between 1 and 2 for TTC, but I've also read that the 1 and 2 level thing is the guideline for people actually being treated (i.e. the level should be between 1 and 2 while on thyroid meds) and that anything under 3 is okay for people not being treated. Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm concerned that my doc is wrong. I'm going to start with an RE in January but was just wondering. Thanks.
So after all this talk of TSH mine came back (and I didn't even know I was being tested for it) at 5.1. The nurse said to come in for another test and that the doc wasn't concerned. They said normal is 0.5 -4.5 so I didn't give it a second thought. Then I went back to this thread ... Any advice?
What is a normal progesterone level 8 dpo?
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Originally Posted by L and L
