Progesterone level 10dpt

[Rhea87]

I had some bleeding two days ago and the clinic brought me in for a progesterone test it had gone from 214 (transfer day) to now 79 10dpt! I’m worried this indicates a failed cycle as I had bleeding 8dpt. Do progesterone levels fluctuate? I thought if the embryo implanted it creates its own progesterone now so should have gone up? I am on Cyclogest (twice a day) and prontogest (every other day)

[Mudra85]

Hi Rhea, progesterone can fluctuate and your levels are still well above where they need to be to be able to support any potential pregnancy. Whether your body produces its own progesterone at this stage will depend on what kind of transfer you had. If you had a fresh transfer or a natural frozen embryo transfer you will have ovulated and will be producing your own progesterone from the corpus luteum/s left over after ovulation. However, if you've done an artificial/medicated frozen embryo transfer you will not be producing your own progesterone and will be entirely reliant on the progesterone you are taking.

[Rhea87 in reply to Mudra85]

Thank you Mudra85 for replying! When the nurse spoke to me she said typically when implantation happens the embryo will create its own progesterone I did a medicated FET is this right?X

[Mudra85 in reply to Rhea87]

I've never heard about that for medicated FETs before. My understanding is that progesterone is created by the corpus luteum that remains after ovulation has occurred. That can only happen where you have ovulated, but with a medicated FET your natural hormones and cycle are suppressed so you don't ovulate and then you are given artificial hormones that mimic your natural cycle and ovulation (but your body doesn't produce progesterone on its own with a medicated FET).

If you are concerned then I'd query your levels with your clinic. From what I know 79 is a good number for progesterone. Some clinics may want that number to be 100+ but that is just to be on the safe side. X

[Habibi87 in reply to Mudra85]

I agree with Mudra85, if you had a medicated FET you or embryo will only start producing progesterone from around week 12 once the placenta is fully developed and able to release it. Before that, with a medicated FET you need to take progesterone as you don’t have the corpus luteum to produce it. Keeping my fingers crossed for you x

[Rhea87 in reply to Habibi87]

Thank you Habibi87 sadly I have had quite a bit of bleeding so I don’t think it’s worked x

[Habibi87 in reply to Rhea87]

so sorry, keeping fingers crossed still. when is your test date ?

[Rhea87 in reply to Mudra85]

Thank you for explaining! Think the nurse may have meant for a natural cycle xx

[Purpledoggy in reply to Rhea87]

Embryos don’t produce progesterone. Around 5 weeks after ovulation (4 ish weeks after implantation, 7 weeks official pregnancy) the placenta starts making progesterone and by 12 weeks’ pregnancy this is the main source of progesterone. On a medicated FET, assuming you did not accidentally ovulate, you will not be making any progesterone of your own until the placenta starts. I think your nurse is perhaps meaning the placenta rather than the embryo, but in any case it won’t be happening for a few weeks yet. Xx

[Rhea87 in reply to Purpledoggy]

thank so much for clarifying xx

[Minniemouse88]

Just wishing you well Rhea and hope you are taking good care at this anxious time. Sending love and luck xx

[Rhea87 in reply to Minniemouse88]

thank you unfortunately it’s likely to have failed because of the bleeding. Feeling pretty low x

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Rhea87]

I'm really sorry you're going through this, I'm feeling much the same and hope fading each day. I think it's really normal to feel this way. Know you're not alone and sending a big hug. Is test day soon? I'll keep you in my thoughts xx