Anyone know about progesterone levels?

AndiG · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 12:31 PM

I admit, I've been lurking. I figured I'd post more if we were able to get pregnant again and stay pregnant this time. I tried Femara this cycle. I'm a little frustrated with my doctor because Clomid has always worked on the first cycle but she insisted I use Femara this time. Well, I didn't use OPKs this cycle because I'm currently working nights and I couldn't figure out when I could consistently test. I think I ovulated on CD 17, which is pretty normal for me. The doc insisted I get progesterone levels drawn on CD 21. My levels came back 6.7. The nurse called me today and said to call them when AF started and they would give me a higher dose of Femara next cycle. I hung up the phone thinking WHAT? I'm not even enough DPO to test yet so how are they so convinced I'm not pregnant? If I test on Monday it will only be 10 dpo. Is there something I'm missing? I know they want progesterone to be at least 10 by 7 dpo but I would have only been 4 dpo when they did the level. The only thing I can think is that she is basing her interpretation on me ovulating at CD 14 and then CD 21 being 7 dpo. Does anyone know what progesterone should be on 4 dpo if indeed I did ovulate. This whole thing is making me crazy (as if I need any help in that department.) And yes, for you POAS addicts out there. I peed on a stick yesterday and it was negative. But hey, I would have only been 6 dpo. LOL!

carriemb · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 08:37 AM

I am sorry Andi, those are way tomany numbers for me to figure out right now, but In my opinion, if you were only 4 dpo then I would say it was looking good. Wishing you the best of luck

moonrise · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 01:01 PM

Well, there should be a surge of progesterone after you ovulate. I would think that 6.7 on a medicated cycle is a bit low.
Usually, if medicated, because of the large follie size, when the egg ruptures you should get a good release of progesterone. It does usually peak at about 7dpo, however, so it could be much higher at 7dpo but i dont know at what rate it would increase.(and like you say, they may just be assuming you o'd on day 14.
Are you temping? that would give you a better indication of when o occurred.
Also, your normal o date of cycle day 17, is that with or without meds, and is this your first round of meds this time? Drs dont usually like to use Clomid for more than 5 cycles, because it becomes less effective over time (thins the uterine lining)

AndiG · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks for the input. I want to think that because the test was early, the numbers are actually on track but part of me is feeling like this cycle is doomed. I broke down and tested again today, knowing full well that it would only be 8 DPO. BFN of course. I haven't temped or charted this cycle because working nights has my body all mixed up. This is my first medicated cycle for this go round of TTC. Since I generally respond really well to low dose Clomid, the doctor gave me a very low dose of Femara and I think if I turn out not to be pregnant that may be the problem. I still have no idea why she was so insistent about me using Femara when Clomid has always worked before. I know I shouldn't be so upset because I don't even know that I'm not pregnant yet, but Sergio will be traveling with work from now through the fall which will make TTC really difficult. He has also said that if I'm not pregnant by the end of the year, he's done because the stress of all this has gotten to be just too much. We had agreed after we lost Manuel that we would try one more time. Well three miscarriages later we'll still trying so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. Basically I was just putting a lot of faith in the cycle and I feel like that hope has been shattered before it's even feasible for me to reliably test. Anyway, sorry for my rant, I'm just really frustrated. Thanks for listening and I will keep you all posted.