Progesterone Levels

I am 6 weeks pregnant and have been going weekly (sometimes more) for bloodwork mainly because I had a miscarriage 6 weeks ago. They have been keeping an eye on my hcg levels. They started out at 28 and have risen to 1219 (at 5w3d). The Dr is encouraged by this. However, they checked my progesterone at the beginning of my pregnancy and never said anything about it. They called today and said it was low (7.8) and started me on 200mg of Prometrium. I have had some minor cramping but no spotting. Anyone had any experience with low progesterone levels?

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So What Happened?™

6-23-09 My sono at 7 weeks already shows a tiny heart beat. 8 weeks prego and no probs. Within 3 days of taking the Prometrium my progesterone rose to 39! I go for my sono next week. Keep your fingers crossed! My 9 wk sono was bad. The heart had stopped. I thought everything was going so well. So on 7-1-09 I had a D&C and gave my baby to God.

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K.P. answers from Dallas on June 09, 2009

I had low progesterone levels with my son. I took my prometrium for 12 weeks, and everything turned out great. (It was a little yucky, but in the end it's worth it.)

My doctor said that a lot of doctors don't even test progesterone levels unless you have a history of miscarriages, but she does on all of her patients just because she's doing blood work anyway, and it can be so beneficial. I was so glad she checked mine!

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R.E. answers from Dallas on June 10, 2009

I took it for a pregnancy back in March. I ended up having to take medication since the pregnancy failed despite our efforts but my body wouldn't rid itself naturally. My progesterone levels were low, but my HCG didn't rise like yours did either. The prometrium did make my progesterone levels rise, but it was too late. Good luck! I do hear it works for lots of people and I was told that with my next pregnancy, I'll start the progesterone as soon as I get the positive test.

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L.S. answers from Dallas on June 10, 2009

I'm with Bethany in the congrats and take it advice. However, the cramping may be your reaction to the method of intake. You can get USP progesterone in a topical cream that absorbs so much more readily than a pill. With a pill, you have to take such a HUGE dose because less than 20% will be absorbed - the rest is filtered out with your liver and kidneys.

Ask you doctor about progesterone cream, it's over the counter and may be easier on your system. Check out johnleemd.com for info on estrogen dominance, progesterone failure in young pregnancies, etc.

Write back if you need a souce for the cream - after surviving cancer, I won't go a month without it.

Blessings on #2!
L.

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B.C. answers from Dallas on June 09, 2009

I am not pregnant, but can tell you that I just got diagnosed with estrogen dominance. My prog. levels were at a 2.6! The doc said that this level being so low is the most likely reason for my ectopic pregnancy that almost killed me and the reason that it took us so long to concieve again.
Take your meds! A prengnancy is not likely to survive without the proper hormone levels.
Congrats by the way! # 2 is soooo fun!

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