Ute-Related Question

[notthedroids]

I got my results back from my progesterone test on CD21 (my average O day is CD14). They said it was a "low normal" of 13.6, normal being 15. I go back again this month to test again. My questions are: what does this mean? Does it mean anything yet other than that my O day may not be exactly on CD14?

[goldenlove3]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but progesterone is very tricky to test. It fluctuates throughout the day and things like eating can make it drop. The value in your blood doesn't accurately represent what it is in your uterus. I think 13.6 still shows ovulation happened though. Maybe just not the number they were looking for.

[kariann12]

I believe my RE said anything over 5 (or was it 7?) confirms ovulation. But, progesterone is hard to test, in the same day it could be 6, then 13, then 20, then 8. My RE doesn't put much stock in it. Sounds like you probably ovulated, but if its not 7dpo then it'll be off as well.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[mugster]

Was it a medicated cycle? My RE looks for 10 on a natural cycle and 15 on a medicated, but because it pulses, she is happy if it is close.

[joy]

Jun 2, 2015 11:24:08 GMT -5 notthedroids said:

I got my results back from my progesterone test on CD21 (my average O day is CD14). They said it was a "low normal" of 13.6, normal being 15. I go back again this month to test again. My questions are: what does this mean? Does it mean anything yet other than that my O day may not be exactly on CD14?

13.6 is low normal?

I wonder what they would think of my 4.5.

My RE was completely unconcerned with my progesterone number.  He told me that the CD21/7DPO test was much more about qualitative "did you ovulate?" over quantitative "how good was that ovulation?"

[zombiesquad]

I may be speaking out of turn, but testing progestereone levels may also help indicate challenges to staying pregnant. If you have low progesterone, your doc may suggest a supplement to help support a potential pregnancy. This is the case with me, but all you fine, knowledgeable ladies correct me if I'm wrong

[joy]

And yes to everyone saying that progesterone varies throughout the day. It's a tricky thing to test and get insightful information out of the value.

For the record, my progesterone that cycle at that time was 4.5. My luteal phases are > 14 days for the past two and a half years. If you got a low number with consistently short luteal phases (that is, less than ten days) then I'd be concerned about low progesterone.

[notthedroids]

Jun 2, 2015 11:34:47 GMT -5 mugster said:

Was it a medicated cycle? My RE looks for 10 on a natural cycle and 15 on a medicated, but because it pulses, she is happy if it is close.

No ma'am. We have not discussed that yet. We are still trying au natural

[notthedroids]

Thank you all!! For your efforts I give you Count Pugula.

[27alex]

I was told 10 or higher was what you want but again, it can vary during the day. Also, you want it taken at 7dpo (they says 21 based on average ovulation at CD 14). However, if you don't know when you ovulated, or when 7 DPO is then your results don't mean anything.

Are you working with an RE?

[notthedroids]

Jun 2, 2015 12:06:50 GMT -5 27alex said:

I was told 10 or higher was what you want but again, it can vary during the day. Also, you want it taken at 7dpo (they says 21 based on average ovulation at CD 14). However, if you don't know when you ovulated, or when 7 DPO is then your results don't mean anything.

Are you working with an RE?

Not yet. We're in month/cycle 9 now. My OBGYN was just doing some preliminary testing.

[27alex]

Jun 2, 2015 12:39:27 GMT -5 notthedroids said:

Jun 2, 2015 12:06:50 GMT -5 27alex said:

I was told 10 or higher was what you want but again, it can vary during the day. Also, you want it taken at 7dpo (they says 21 based on average ovulation at CD 14). However, if you don't know when you ovulated, or when 7 DPO is then your results don't mean anything.

Are you working with an RE?

Not yet. We're in month/cycle 9 now. My OBGYN was just doing some preliminary testing.

Careful with that. They're not qualified and if you get to a year, all those tests would need to be done again. I made the mistake of "preliminary testing" through my OB and insurance wouldn't cover it (I didn't realize at the time I could have gone to an RE anyways). I'll be as blunt as possible, impatience =\= infertility.

[kariann12]

Jun 2, 2015 12:44:47 GMT -5 27alex said:

Jun 2, 2015 12:39:27 GMT -5 notthedroids said:

Not yet. We're in month/cycle 9 now. My OBGYN was just doing some preliminary testing.

Careful with that. They're not qualified and if you get to a year, all those tests would need to be done again. I made the mistake of "preliminary testing" through my OB and insurance wouldn't cover it (I didn't realize at the time I could have gone to an RE anyways). I'll be as blunt as possible, impatience =\= infertility.

I completely agree that impatience =/= infertility, however I did some preliminary testing with my primary around 9 months, at her request. My RE didn't recheck since it was only 3 months prior, and my insurance covered it. So, just check before.

[27alex]

Jun 2, 2015 12:51:51 GMT -5 kariann12 said:

Jun 2, 2015 12:44:47 GMT -5 27alex said:

Careful with that. They're not qualified and if you get to a year, all those tests would need to be done again. I made the mistake of "preliminary testing" through my OB and insurance wouldn't cover it (I didn't realize at the time I could have gone to an RE anyways). I'll be as blunt as possible, impatience =\= infertility.

I completely agree that impatience =/= infertility, however I did some preliminary testing with my primary around 9 months, at her request. My RE didn't recheck since it was only 3 months prior, and my insurance covered it. So, just check before.

Oh yeah, I'm sure it depends on insurance. If you don't mind me asking, did you do early testing because of medical history or other issues, or just decide to do it because it was taking longer than expected?

[helloerrbody]

From my understanding, you need to test your progesterone at either 7 or 8 DPO. Not at a certain cycle day. Unless you know for sure when you ovulated, then you don't know how many dpo you were when you had that blood draw. FWIW, my progesterone was 14.1 at 8dpo and my RE said that was fantastic.

[kariann12]

Jun 2, 2015 12:53:41 GMT -5 27alex said:

Jun 2, 2015 12:51:51 GMT -5 kariann12 said:

I completely agree that impatience =/= infertility, however I did some preliminary testing with my primary around 9 months, at her request. My RE didn't recheck since it was only 3 months prior, and my insurance covered it. So, just check before.

Oh yeah, I'm sure it depends on insurance. If you don't mind me asking, did you do early testing because of medical history or other issues, or just decide to do it because it was taking longer than expected?

It was at my annual appointment, and I asked for recommendations for an RE if we got to a year. They can put in a referral and it's good for a year, so I thought I'd ask while I was there. If I didn't need it then it would just expire. She also recommended just basic bloodwork I'm case there was anything obvious that she'd want to refer me for earlier than a year. That was all normal and we saw an RE at 13 months.

[notthedroids]

Jun 2, 2015 12:53:41 GMT -5 27alex said:

Jun 2, 2015 12:51:51 GMT -5 kariann12 said:

I completely agree that impatience =/= infertility, however I did some preliminary testing with my primary around 9 months, at her request. My RE didn't recheck since it was only 3 months prior, and my insurance covered it. So, just check before.

Oh yeah, I'm sure it depends on insurance. If you don't mind me asking, did you do early testing because of medical history or other issues, or just decide to do it because it was taking longer than expected?

She (my dr.) Decided to do that and test my thyroid. She was slightly concerned as my cycles are on average 26 days and just wanted to check some things out. I didn't actually go to see her birthday cause of all this, I just happened to have to go for my annual.

ETA you aren't asking me. I cannot multitask work and GKU apparently and work refuses to acknowledge that you all are more important.

[akraus2015]

I'm glad you asked this question notthedroids. My doctor ordered bloodwork because I have a family history of blood clotting, plus she also said I need to show that I have the antibodies from the rubella vaccination. She asked that I get the progesterone test done while I was there, as well. I didn't pinpoint O in April or May, so I'm holding off for June and will get the blood work done this cycle. I'm not sure if she recommended it because we're coming up on cycle 8, or because my LP is usually only 9-10 days. It sounds like I shouldn't put a ton of stock into the progesterone test, though?

[mustloveerica]

My progesterone as 4.0 but I ended up getting it tested on 5dpo because of the weekend. My RE said anything over 3 indicated ovulation but I have see some look for over 5. And I know I'm ovulating based on temping. Your progesterone seems high and beautiful to me.

[joy]

Jun 2, 2015 13:24:18 GMT -5 akraus2015 said:

 It sounds like I shouldn't put a ton of stock into the progesterone test, though?

Just take it as a yes or no.

[goldenlove3]

I think the number matters more after you get a BFP. A low number *might* be a sign of an ectopic, which was the case for me.

[mugster]

Jun 2, 2015 13:24:18 GMT -5 akraus2015 said:

I'm glad you asked this question notthedroids. My doctor ordered bloodwork because I have a family history of blood clotting, plus she also said I need to show that I have the antibodies from the rubella vaccination. She asked that I get the progesterone test done while I was there, as well. I didn't pinpoint O in April or May, so I'm holding off for June and will get the blood work done this cycle. I'm not sure if she recommended it because we're coming up on cycle 8, or because my LP is usually only 9-10 days. It sounds like I shouldn't put a ton of stock into the progesterone test, though?

Since your lp is short, if your progesterone is also low, together those start to paint a picture.