FET progesterone levels- 23.5nmol/L- mixing Cyclogests and Lubion- I'm I going mad?

[IvfStruggler]

Hello lovely people! I feel really bad because I have already posted on my progesterone anxiety and I have had such lovely and helpful comments. I'm afraid that I made things even more complicated for myself and I would love some advice once again. Because my clinic was really difficult about testing I did a medichecks progesterone test which I thought had failed as I only managed to fill a quarter of the tube at home. But to my great surprise it worked and today (4DP5DT) I found out that my progesterone level was low (23.5). My clinic was very reluctant to increase my dose as I was on two Lubion injections already but in the end I convinced them I could add Cyclogest pessaries. It was awful- I had to argue with the doctor referencing research, information from forums and mainly explaining that my transfers always end in early bleeding and I couldn't handle another MC. The consultant said it was very experimental to mix Cyclogest with Lubion and that it was hardly ever done. But I'm sure I have seen other women mention this. It was also mentioned that I should add another Cyclogest if I started spotting but I'm worried about waiting until that happens as it may be too late. My very early MC was when I was only on Cyclogest (400mg) x 2 a day- so I'm not sure I absorb this stuff very well either. Do other people use 2 Cyclogest pessaries and 2 Lubion injections?

I feel like I'm just crazy obsessive but I would be so heartbroken if I didn't give my embryo a proper chance. Thank you so much for reading! Xxx

[Italy300618]

Hi lovely, aww you dont need this added worry do you, you poor thing. I was on 2 cyclogest pessaries and 1 x lubion injection a day. I've never heard you cant mix the two 🤷🏼‍♀️

You know your own body. I've heard your body only absorbs what or needs so it's better to have to much than too little. Best of luck with your 2ww xxx

[IvfStruggler in reply to Italy300618]

Thank you so much!!! It's so difficult to argue with a consultant- I was really starting to wonder if I was loosing my mind as I was sure I had heard other women used both! Xxx

[Italy300618 in reply to IvfStruggler]

So difficult when you feel like your telling them how to do their job, but I think you can relax to know that myself and I'm sure others have had this combination. Did they say why its best not to mix the two? Xx

[IvfStruggler in reply to Italy300618]

No they didn't say why- just that it was very uncommon and not their protocol. Ultimately they don't believe in adding anything to 2 Lubion injections and they were arguing that ideal levels of progesterone are just not known. But there are so many studies that highlight that although the top level hasn't been established- they do know that above 25 is important for a healthy pregnancy. So I don't really trust what they tell me. Just stress I really don't need! Thanks again xxx

[Italy300618 in reply to IvfStruggler]

You really dont need this stress 😘 best of luck lovely xx

[Cinderella5]

I'm on 2 lubion and 2 cyclogest per day so dont worry too much about that. Its totally fine. The most important thing is to get those levels up asap!! I'm rubbish at absorbing progesterone so hopefull this will do the trick. Good luck.xx

[IvfStruggler in reply to Cinderella5]

Thank you so much for replying!! I was trying to explain this to my consultant- some women just don't absorb progesterone. They don't test so they have no idea- it was such a crazy conversation. Xxx

[Cinderella5 in reply to IvfStruggler]

Its a nightmare isn't it. I bled early on 2 transfers. Then upped medication and managed to last to transfer day. I didnt think about testing it until we had a spontaneous loss then a chemical and it was way too low and we have upped it a bit each time and this is what has gotten me my most recent BFP. Good luck.xx

[IvfStruggler in reply to Cinderella5]

It's great to hear you got your BFP! Congratulations! I really think this is such an important issue and I am so confused clinics do not automatically test women when they have a history of early bleeding. I've been trying on Twitter to get official organisations such as HFEA and the Genesis Research Trust to recognise this issue and provide some guidance (not been very successful 😂). It's so weird that clinics have such different approaches to progesterone. I think it can really cause a lot of anxiety for people. Thanks again! Xxx

[LadyM2019]

Go you! I'm going to be mixing 2 x lubion, 6 x utrogestan oral tablets and 2x crinone gel pessaries so it's a right concoction! I hope you're ok x

[IvfStruggler in reply to LadyM2019]

I remember you responded to one of my previous posts! I'm so grateful for all the input I had on this forum- if I hadn't I would have definitely given in and just accepted the low levels. Thank you once again xxx

[PenguinBlue]

Don’t feel bad about posting! It’s a v anxious time for many of us! In my last cycle I was on 2x Lubion and 2 cyclogest pessaries a day. Xx

[IvfStruggler in reply to PenguinBlue]

Thank you so much for your reply and letting me know! I really wouldn't know what to do without this forum and support ♥️

[Purpledoggy]

I can't tell you exactly which medications as I have not yet started but my consultant is prescribing me both progesterone pessaries and injection because I bleed for days before every period. My guess is these are the 2 you are talking about, or something almost identical.

[IvfStruggler in reply to Purpledoggy]

Thank you so much for replying! It's great that your consultant is closely looking at your history and prescribing your medication accordingly. I hope everything goes really well for you! xxx

[Purpledoggy in reply to IvfStruggler]

You too lovely xx

[ChloeDE]

I mixed lubion and utrogestan. I started off on 2x lubion per day. My progesterone was 190 two days before transfer and only 24 one day after - on the same medication. After that, I continued to monitor my progesterone using medichecks (I think I did another 4 or 5 tests) until 7.5 weeks. My progesterone was all over the place - lowest 24 and highest 1910. I just added or removed utrogestan whenever I got my results back.

[IvfStruggler in reply to ChloeDE]

I didn't realise that your progesterone levels can go up and down like that! That's crazy! I hope everything worked out for you in the end. Thank you so much for replying- I really appreciate it ❤️

[ChloeDE in reply to IvfStruggler]

Currently 13 weeks with twins so, despite the fluctuating levels, everything worked out fine.

Good luck!

[IvfStruggler in reply to ChloeDE]

That's amazing! Congratulations! Did you discuss your fluctuating levels with a doctor/midwife? Just curious about what they might say? Xxx

[ChloeDE in reply to IvfStruggler]

They said levels should be pretty much consistent. After my 24 nmol test, I just added or took away medication by myself. Probably not advisable but that was my gut reaction (especially when it was low). I was too anxious to wait for a reply from the clinic.

[StressedIRIS in reply to ChloeDE]

Congrats! Sorry for asking but did you always test at the same time every time? Like 12 h after last dose?

[ChloeDE in reply to StressedIRIS]

I mostly tested just before my morning dose. I was worried about it being under, not over so wanted to check it was staying in my system long enough to take me through to my next injection.

[StressedIRIS in reply to ChloeDE]

Thank you much for the reply. I just wanted to know as i had bleeding and tested it 12 h after dose and was 50 nmol/l and tested it again but 2 h after my dose and was 190 nmol/l. You mentioned some very high numbers that is why i was wondering if you tested at peak at points. I increased my dose of cyclogest but dont know if its enough. Thanks again

[ChloeDE in reply to StressedIRIS]

Mine was all over the place too. I also had some bleeding 7-10 days after transfer. It was scary but all worked out fine. I hope it all works out for you. X

[StressedIRIS in reply to ChloeDE]

Thank youuu!!!!

[StressedIRIS in reply to ChloeDE]

Congrats for the twins!!!!

[Poppy_2018]

I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this on top of everything else that comes with IVF. My clinic checked my progesterone levels quite frequently and I ended up on 2 lubion injections and cyclogest three time a day so don't worry about the amount you're on, its absolutely fine (I started off on 1 lubion injection and 2 cyclogest).

[IvfStruggler in reply to Poppy_2018]

Thank you so much for letting me know! It's great that your clinic monitors you like that. I'm really relieved to read so many other women are on the same medication combo! xxx

[Egilbertpatt]

Hi there, sounds like you're under a lot of stress, I am on lubion injection 1 per day and cyclogest pessaries x 3 a day, my consultant advised the additional lubion this time as sometimes it absorbs better that way...I hope you can relax a bit now xx

[IvfStruggler in reply to Egilbertpatt]

Thank you so much for your reply and sharing your medication! I'm trying to relax but it's so difficult during the TWW! xxx

[Hidden]

Hwy lovely. I just wanted to say follow your heart. I had a weird feeling around my thyroid meds and they didnt wanted to do the blood tests and when i did do it it was on the lower and increased meds. Was it too late who knows. Consultant doesnt agree and said its the embryo quality. What i do want to say and u might be tiered of this is if it is ment to be it will be. I used pessaries for my fresh transfers and cyclogest+ lubion 1 of each for my fet and never had bleeding. When stopping it i always had a bleed after 5 days so im guessing it did the trick. So keep an eye on it and take action if u do spot. In the mean time keep your self busy and take a good care xxxx

[IvfStruggler in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for replying! I really think that we as patients can have accurate ideas about our treatment but I feel that often consultants refuse to listen. I just hate it when I ask about something I have read or to do an additional blood test and the consultant just rolls his eyes and tells me to stay off Google. Next time I will ask him to imagine going to buy a house and doing absolutely no research about the neighbourhood, the structure of the building and the price because the estate agent will tell him everything he needs to know (I won't but I think it would be fun). Thanks again! xxx

[Hidden in reply to IvfStruggler]

Haha i know what you mean with the eyerolling. It really made me want to change clinics but seems hard with nhs. I mean if he doesnt take you serious who will ?!! Xx

[MofM]

Just started today 2xLubion e 2xCyclogest (400mg) -- and this is an NHS clinic.

In the past I went up to 1xLubion, 1xCrinone, 3xCyclogest (400mg), so I guess you can mix and match safely

[IvfStruggler in reply to MofM]

Thank you so much for letting me know! Good luck! Xxx