progesterone levels

[Elsidee11]

hi all, hope you’re all ok. Just checking - is it worth paying extra for a progesterone blood test day of fresh embryo transfer? Or should my levels be high enough with cyclogest?

thanks so much x

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely,

So I always have had my levels tested on transfer day as historically they seem to be low.

In 4 of 6 transfers I've had to up my progesterone from 1 x lubion injection / 2 x cyclogest to 2 x lubion / 3 x cyclogest.

So in my opinion it's worth checking xx

[Elsidee11 in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you so so much Millbanks. I will give them a call xx

[HollieW]

I paid to have my progesterone tested for peace of mind x

[MrsOrangejuice]

Yes, I would if you've not had it tested before - if your levels are fine then at least you know for this and probably other transfers, but if low you have a chance to do something about it. Not everyone absorbs different forms of progesterone well and if the levels are low on cyclogest you may be able to change to a different type or add lubion etc. Plus it's probably one of those things that you'll wonder about if the transfer doesn't work so may be better to rule it out x

[Elsidee11 in reply to MrsOrangejuice]

Thank you Mrsorangejuice - I’ve emailed my nurse to request one. I hope they say yes, can’t see why they wouldn’t but I do like to worry along the way 😊 Ive just started to feel a bit period crampy today 🥹 not sure if my body is preparing for my period or if it’s just the progesterone. Gosh it’s all so nerve wracking isn’t it. Thanks for the advice x

[Infragilis]

I had them tested and even during two week wait as I was worried they would not be sufficient although they always were. I did it for peace of mind mostly as I was taking intra muscular injections and was told the levels should be fine with those.

[Elsidee11 in reply to Infragilis]

Thank you xx

[Doodlebug23]

My clinic tests the day before but mine have always been ok. So I’d test first time but the day before to give you time to up meds before transfer cause then you’ll know and for future not bother and assume ok if have been previously x

[Elsidee11 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Hi doodlebug, thank you and good luck with your blood test 🍀. I won’t be able to go in today (day before transfer) 😞 so it’ll have to be tomorrow if I have one. Fingers crossed with 3x cyclogest I’m going ok. But I just like the peace of mind. Thank you xx

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Elsidee11]

At least if you have it you’ll know. Good luck!! X

[hifer]

Yes definitely. I have to up my meds every time on transfer day as my levels are always low. It’s worth it x

[Cuppppatea]

hey - just out of interest what do progesterone levels need to be for fresh transfer please ? Before my last retrieval the DR told me I wouldn’t be able to have a fresh transfer as my progesterone was 15.

[Millbanks in reply to Cuppppatea]

Hello lovely, its a bit more complicated for fresh transfers.

Basically what matters is not the amount of progesterone per say - but more when it starts forming - so you need roughly 5 days of progesterone in your body before your transfer - this coincides with when your embryos are developing - so if your progesterone is too high before the embryos are ready to transfer (day 5) then you would miss the window of implantation - which is why they would cancel it.

This has happened to me before and is very frustrating. I find that FETs are better because it's all controlled.

xx

[Elsidee11 in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you for explaining this, I haven’t had my progesterone levels checks since retrieval. Is this normal? I started progesterone day after collection. It’s so confusing 🫣

[Millbanks in reply to Elsidee11]

I think each clinic does it differently - they possibly did check it when you had your retrieval - but I would ask them if you're not sure. x

[Livinginhope101]

My body doesn't absorb the pessaries well so I was on injections. Best to check

[Eloquentia]

Definitely worth it! Extra progesterone is what I think made the difference for my second successful transfer. Very best of luck!

[Elsidee11 in reply to Eloquentia]

Thank you glad it worked well for you 🙏🏼. All booked. I’m having them done tomorrow morning but results won’t be back til Monday. Hope this is ok. My anxiety is horrendous anyway waiting for the day 5 update 😔 can’t shift it. I’m just googling negative stories thinking ‘oh that’ll be me’. I feel ivf makes you do crazy things. Husband is of course completely positive. Ahh xxx

[Eloquentia in reply to Elsidee11]

Try to stay calm (easier said than done, I know!) and take it all as it comes. In my personal experience, it doesn't matter too much what you think or how you feel. I was very negative and hopeless about my second transfer working, was absolutely sure it hadn't and that the pregnancy test was just a box ticking exercise but the little embie who is now my 2-month old daughter thought otherwise. There is always hope! xx

[Elsidee11 in reply to Eloquentia]

Thank you 🙏🏼 all done - now we pray. I’m glad it worked well for you ♥️🍀

[Elsidee11 in reply to Eloquentia]

My progesterone levels were >190nmol/L which has now worried me 😅🥺🫣 seems high!!

[TopGuntastic]

Hi Elsidee11, just read this post. I hope you managed to get it tested and that your transfer went well. Everything crossed ✨💕 xxx

[Elsidee11 in reply to TopGuntastic]

Thank you so so much. I did get it tested, results will be tomorrow. Transfer went well but i had a crazy crazy endo flare up in the morning which meant we almost cancelled, BUT we went ahead and now we hope. We’re extremely shocked and fortunate that we managed to freeze 5 blastocysts 🥹🥹 I hope you’re well xx

[TopGuntastic in reply to Elsidee11]

Sorry to hear about your endo flare! So pleased you managed to still transfer and even better news you’ve five frozen blasts 👏✨💕🙏

[TopGuntastic in reply to Elsidee11]

I’ve recently started treatment for a FET with my only frozen embryo, I’m staying positive. Really hoping this is both our time! 🤞🙏

[Elsidee11 in reply to TopGuntastic]

Amazing 🤞🏼🤞🏼 are you doing anything different? Did you have any more tests etc? I’m glad you’re feeling positive ♥️ it’s extremely hard but makes a lot of difference. Come on little one ❄️ xx

[TopGuntastic in reply to Elsidee11]

I’m being given additional progesterone support this time, using both gel instead of pessaries and the addition of lubion injections. Really hoping it helps, I bled the evening of my OTD last time. If this one doesn’t stick I’ll pursue more testing before a new fresh cycle (I think) xx

[Elsidee11 in reply to TopGuntastic]

That sounds like a great plan 🍀🙏🏼 will be thinking of you - I hope it’s all pretty straightforward and wishing you luck xxx