Progesterone levels and OPKs

[Lola33]

Hello,

I hope you're all doing OK. I'm sadly awaiting the bleed following a chemical pregnancy after an FET.

As we all do, I have thrown myself into research as a way to cope. Our clinic may not be able to do another FET until next year now, so we want to focus on trying naturally in the meantime. (So far we are unexplained,, although my AMH is lower for my age and FSH high).

I've always thought ovulation was my problem, as I I very rarely get a smiley face when using the ovulation predictor kits. (OPK). However, my progesterone blood tests do indicate that I ovulate (my clinic looks for over 10n/mol) even when I haven't got a positive on the OPK. I know the opks test for a LH surge and not progesterone, but something does seem a little off.

Has anyone else experienced this?

What progesterone levels do your gps/clinics look for to confirm ovulation?

My cycle is and has always been very short. Typically 21 days, sometimes a little more or sometimes a little less. And I'm now convinced our issue could be that I need luteal phase support when trying naturally. I'm going to talk to my GP/clinic about prescribing progesterone for when we try naturally between ivf rounds.

If anyone has any wisdom i would love to hear it.

Thank you!

[Hidden]

Hey, sorry to hear about your chemical and the length to time you have to wait.

This might sound really obvious, but did you definitely start your CB ovulation on the right day of the month? I really don't mean to insult you but when I first got them I didn't and just cracked on and by doing the first test on the wrong day you set all your baseline levels wrong.. I ended up having to buy a new stick holder and doing it correctly (think it might have been day 6 you start?) and then I started to get smileys...

Sorry if that's pointing out the obvious, could just be me making the mistake! x

[Lola33 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Daisy. Your reply isn't insulting at all, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

I presume you're referring to the CB ovulation monitor? I haven't actually got that yet, I've just been using the pee on sticks, waiting for a smiley, and not tracking it as such. I've had months where i have literally used one a day throughout the entire cycle to see if I could catch ovulation whether it be early or late, but nada!

My clinic told me that 10n/mol of progesterone indicates ovulation. In a blood test. But I've found another NHS website that says only 30 n/mol is a fail safe way of confirming ovulation. Anything under 30 doesn't necessarily mean no ovulation, but it isn't as certain. So perhaps I don't ovulate after all! It's never easy is it!

I have a docs appt next week so will quiz them again. I feel I am armed with so much more info now than I was with my initial tests a year ago. I feel a little as though I was panicked into ivf due to my lower amh without really understanding my situation and options.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Lola. Day 21 progesterone blood test should read 30 or more to confirm ovulation. Diane

[Lola33 in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi Diane, thanks for this info, I've since read this too. I know GPs thresholds sometimes aren't accurate for fertility, but my fertility clinic also said 10 confirms ovulation. It's really disheartening that they are providing misleading information! I don't suppose you have a link to anything official which states 30 n/mol please? I've never had over 30, but I've had over 10 so it never flagged as an issue to GP but I'm starting to think it is! I am doing ivf anyway, but still I'm trying to understand my body and if there are any chances of conceiving naturally in between cycles! Thanks again for your reply

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Lola33]

Hi Lola. Have a look at this. Diane

thriva.co/hub/womens-health...

[Lola33 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks so much