When is the best time to have progesterone level checked for a transfer?

[PaulaDag]

Hi All,

I’ve just had my surge for a natural FET and so I go for my surge scan today to check I have a dominant follicle and the lining is OK.

When should I have my progesterone tested to check it’s ok for the transfer? I was wondering if I should have it taken today so I can see what my progesterone is naturally doing and also the day of transfer or the day before transfer to see that the lubion and cyclogest is enough?

I want to take the progesterone a day early incase this is any cause of failure but they said they need to be careful with this. Are there any side effects to taking progesterone a day or so earlier? I haven’t had an ERA/Alice test so I thought best to have earlier to cover all bases? Or is this a silly way to think?

For my two ICSI long protocol fresh transfers I’ve bled before my OTD. Doctor said it’s different with a natural FET as I produce my own progesterone so he doesn’t want to up from 1x lubion and 2x pessaries per day.

He did say if this FET fails and we go on to have another IVF cycle then he’d look at more progesterone then for that cycle. Although my levels were >190 nmols for my last ivf fresh transfer as I had them test just before I had the transfer, I’d didn't get the results until next day but it was peace of mind.

Any pointers or thoughts greatly received. Getting nervous now. My first FET 🤞

Xx

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, I've never had a natural FET so not sure exactly how it works - but I would say that taking progesterone early might not be advisable. An ERA test shows you what your window of implantation is, for some women they need an extra day of progesterone but for some it's less than 5 days - so unless you know I'm not sure I'd mess around with the timings. If you're just talking about your levels of progesterone (e.g. high enough for transfer) my clinic tests on the day of transfer and can up your meds the same day if needs be. xx

[Cinderella5]

Natural transfers are a little different to medicated transfers when checking progesterone levels in which case the day before or day of transfer would be the best time to check the levels. In your natural cycle your peak levels are around 7 days post ovulation. It sounds like your levels in your last cycle were pretty high. You do have to be a little careful with regards to starting meds early etc as you don't wan the embryo going back if you are pre-receptive or post receptive. I guess you have to trust in your clinic.xx

[Maui2020]

Hey there. I’ve had 4 natural transfers. I think it’s important to not have progesterone too early for receptivity. I had my progesterone tested on the morning of transfer each time and got the results just after. I assume that’s enough time as you still have a couple of days before the embryo is “due” to implant. I also have progesterone levels 150-190nmols. The clinic only want over 100. The last transfer I had was medicated and I was over prescribed progesterone- my levels were over 400nmols! When I asked if that could have caused failure the Dr said “jury’s out”! Sounds like you do have good progesterone levels in general so I think take their advice as you also don’t want it to be too high. Good luck! X

[PaulaDag]

Hi All

I just had my progesterone test back which was taken before todays FET and it is 55 nmols. Is that to low? I think Maui2020 said clinics like it to be over 100 nmols. Worried now if i should take more pessaries or lubion.

Waiting for clinic to call back as nurse is checking with doctor.

[PaulaDag in reply to PaulaDag]

Hey Maui2020 Yes I got a call back and the lead clinician said a level of 60 nmols is fine.

Seems from my other post that others agree with you that research suggests 100 is optimal x