Progesterone test?

[Esb27]

Hi all,

So my clinic aren't really sure what to suggest with my continual early losses (i've only had one through IVF but 3 natural ones and 2 ectopics). They are NHS funded so can't really do a lot else in terms of extra testing, which is fair enough. We might try to get a referral to Tommy's recurrent miscarriage clinic for additional tests, or see if we can pay for any others (such as ERA etc) privately but not for another few months I think. They did mention about doing a hysteroscopy or maybe a scratch, which she's asking the consultant about but she did say that was often for people with bad lining (which isn't my problem) - did anyone have either of these done and found it helped with recurrant miscarriage?

With the last IVF chemical, I had good lining, a good embryo and my previous blood tests all came back normal so in their eyes everything should have gone to plan - of course we all know that it could be something wrong, or that it could just be 'bad luck' and the embryo wasn't chromosomally okay. These things are never straight forward!

I keep seeing that a lot of women needed extra progestrone support, or just to take it a day or two earlier than the norm (which is why I was keen on the ERA test). My clinic only offer a progesterone test the day before transfer with medicated cycles but not with a natural one as naturally you should be okay and producing enough. I only respond to natural cycles so that's my only option but I'd love the progesterone test JUST in case I could be on the lower scale, even naturally.

Has anyone else found that they've had low levels of progesterone naturally through IVF (so needed extra support with injections)? Is this even a thing?

Unfortunately I feel like I'm just searching for answers when there might not even be any, I just hate that we have to just keep going through the early losses, it's so hard to keep the hope going. I feel grateful I can get pregnant but wish that it would stick (or be in the right place).

Any advice would be welcomed!

[Hidden]

So sorry for all you have been through. Its so frustrating when you don't have answers.

When I had had multiple miscarriages I had the various (7 I think) blood tests for blood clotting issues, came back positive for 3 of them and was immediately put on blood thinners for all future rounds. Unfortunately that didn't seem to be a magic fix but did at least give me one reason.

I also had a hysteroscopy, MRI and 3D saline scan of my uterus which found numerous things that could have caused implantation issues or miscarriages - which resulted in various surgeries to fix them.

I was always told ERA wasn't relevant as that was more about implantation and the fact I was getting pregnant meant it was something else - but every clinic seems to be different.

Hope this helps a bit x

[Esb27 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Daisy, that does help, sounds like you've really been through it. It's not fair that these things happen - everyone seems to be so unique but I find it useful hearing other women's stories to help understand it a little more.

For the blood clotting tests, was that through a recurrant miscarriage clinic or through someone else? x

[Hidden in reply to Esb27]

I just got the blood clotting tests on the NHS, my IVF consultant referred me but he was also an NHS consultant at the same time so I guess it made it easier. I had to go private for everything else. I only did fresh rounds at my old clinic and I was just given cyclogest and despite bleeding before OTD or miscarrying they wouldn't give me any more. I did my recent DE FET at a different clinic and they had me on cyclogest, crinone, lengtogest and something else (can't remember now) so heaps more progesterone and so far this pregnancy has stuck, but I can't tell you definitively if it was the progesterone, or the surgery to fix my womb, or the blood thinners, or the fact I went donor eggs! I guess correcting everything contributed x

[Esb27 in reply to Hidden]

Oh blimey, yeah sounds like it all could have helped but equally it could have been one thing but how would you know as you had a few things changed. Congrats on the pregnancy 🤗x

[StarsAllAround]

Hi Esb, I have had previous early losses and an ectopic before starting IVF. My period came before OTD on first two cycles so my clinic added lubion injections and Clexane injections for my third round and I also had an endometrial scratch before starting stims. They didn't do any extra testing just said adding extra wouldn't do any harm as your body will only absorbe what you need, so I have no idea if previous losses were due to bad embryos or if it was due to blood flow or low progesterone. If you can refer yourself to Tommy's do it I didn't do it myself but I know others who have and it has really helped them. Good luck x

[Esb27 in reply to StarsAllAround]

Oh that's good they added lubion and clexane - mine are only going to add lubion if my progestrone levels are low before transfer. Though as mentioned they don't offer it to natural cycles, am hoping when my doctor asks the consultant they might change their minds though!!

That's interesting you had the scratch before stims. I assume I can have one before a FET otherwise they wouldn't have suggested it (I still have 4 eggs in the freezer so not at the egg collection stage anymore).

Yeah I think I will try Tommy's, it can't help ey. I have no idea what the waiting time is for London to be referred or to get an appointment though!

Thanks for responding x

[StarsAllAround in reply to Esb27]

The idea of the scratch is to remove old tissue to encourage blood flow to the womb. I was told it should be done no more than 3 months before you have a transfer fresh or frozen. X

[Esb27 in reply to StarsAllAround]

Oh weird, I guess when they suggested it to me it would mean i'd have to wait then x