Low progesterone levels...

Hi there!

My wife is coming up on 6 weeks pregnant on on 5/8/08. This will be our first child.

On Sunday my wife was experiencing slight spotting. We called the doctor and they told us to come in yesterday. The doctor found small abrasion on the side of her vagina. She believed this was the cause of the spotting. She applied medicine and since then no more spotting.

The Doctor did an ultrasound. She saw the baby, it was positioned properly in the uterus. Baby was measuring at around 6 weeks, so that was good. She thought she saw movement and that it could be the heart moving. However she said sometimes it is hard to see this early.

Ok... Now to my question. Her progesterone test came back low at 3.89. The doctor is having us go back tomorrow for another ultra sound and blood test. Can you carry to term with that low of progesterone? She didn't mention doing any type of progesterone supplements.

Of course we are very worried, trying to think the good thoughts.

Thank you for reading and any thoughts or experiences you have are greatly appreciated.

- B

Hi B - This is Lindsay and I work at the March of Dimes.

While 3.89 is a low number, a single reading does not really give that much information. What is important is that the number climb over a short period of time, which is why your wife will receive another blood test tomorrow. Progesterone levels do not rise as dramatically as hCG levels, but they do need to rise. (They usually range between 9 and 47ng/ml in the first trimester.) Your wife's doc will be looking at both hormone levels. Repeated low levels are not a good sign and this sometimes is when progesterone supplementation is discussed. While progesterone supplementation (suppositories) are safe and may seem to work for some women, their theraputic value has not been scientifically proven yet.

I suggest you and your wife make a list of your questions today and take it with you tomorrow. This way you won't forget to ask about anything that may be troubling you.

Best wishes to you both,

Lindsay
Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center

Lindsay,

Thank you for your reply.

This morning we went to the doctor and had another Ultra sound done. The doctor said the test we were having done was a more detailed test. Our regular doctor was off today so after the nurse did the test we saw the on-call doctor. The oncall Doctor said they did not see a heartbeat and was sending the results to our doctor and she wanted us to see her ASAP.

We were then sent back to our regular OBGYN office and saw another doctor. He said with the size of the fetus we WOULD see a heartbeat at this time, and they did not.

My wife is handling things as good as can be expected. Thank you again for your support.

- B

I am so sorry to hear that. I went through a miscarriage due to a blighted ovum, so technically there was no baby. I know how hard it can be when your hopes are so high. I wish you both the best. I hope your next pregnancy is a happy, healthy one.

Best wishes,
Katie

My first blood test came back with a progestrone level of 3.9. I went back on Monday of this week and my results came back yesterday. It has risen to 12.5 so far. I was tested for the first time 3 weeks ago. I am still waiting to start my second round of treatments this next cycle. I was tested to get a starting point. I am hoping and praying that me and my husband can get pregnant soon. After all of the stories I have read I am very encouraged to keep going. I will for sure keep everyone updated on the progress.

I would like to Thank you guys for your encouraging words. I hope to read more of them in the very near future.

Tasha

I am 30 years old and 8 weeks pregant with my first baby. My husband and I were married March 1 and the pregnancy happened immediately. last week on 5/7, I experienced some light spotting in which I went to my family doctor (I had not seen my OB yet). She stated that she saw a polyp or the beginning stages of a miscarrage. She had me take a blood test. The following day, the spotting had stopped, I began having some mild cramping, and I made contact with the OB that I was referred to. She ordered blood tests on Thursday and Saturday to test the progesterone levels. My family doctor recieved the results to the blood test from 5/7 and stated that everything was were it should be and ordered an ultrasound for Monday (5/12). The baby's heartbeat was strong and the family doctor stated that everything appeared to be normal. I received the results from the blood tests that my OB ordered (5/15) and she stated that my levels were low and that I have to go in for another ultrasound tomorrow (5/16). I am very worried after everything that I have read about low progesterone levels. I still have mild cramping, but no spotting. I am afraid because everything seemed to be going so well, especially after seeing my baby's heartbeat for the first time. Should I be scared?