Progesterone Questions from those who have been tested while pregnant

[APToddlerMama]

I just got a BFP and my doctor tested my progesterone, per my request.  It came back at 16.2 which I guess is fine considering my last period was March 1rst.  For numerous reasons, I suspect that I may have issues with progesterone so I asked if she would re-test next week.  She said no.  She said they only test progesterone once/month.  She said it doesn't change from week to week.  This doesn't seem right and she, quite frankly, seems really poorly informed on all things fertility.  She knows I have a history of a short LP and spotting my entire first trimester with DS, spotting days before periods, etc.  She had never heard of Vitex and told me that since my period wasn't due yet, I couldn't have possibly had a BFP (which her blood test confirmed).  Anyhow, just wondering if others who suspected low progesterone were tested more frequently in early pregnancy?  Also, what are acceptable levels?  Are they supposed to double like hcg?  TIA!

[Rainy229]

Not a lot of info on levels/testing, but I will say this much: YOU (well, we all...) are a CONSUMER of healthcare - if your doctor won't sell you what you want (a virtually harmless blood draw/test), GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!  If the store I usually go to won't order product xyz for me (at NO cost to them), why wouldn't I go to another place to get it?!  

Best of luck! 

--Rainy

[APToddlerMama]

Thanks Rainy!  Trust me, the second thing I did after posting on here was spend hours searching for a new doctor online.  I also emailed her back again stating the case for a TEST and asked her what on earth the drawback would be to re-testing. She said there is no point. Now, I am trying to focus my energy on finding/scheduling with someone who can help me, instead of emailing her again (which I really want to do) and giving her a serious piece of my mind.  Ugh.  I have terrible luck with doctors.  I want to cry.

[aphel]

Don't cry mama! But do find a new doc. I had my progesterone levels checked weekly from 6-10 weeks and supplemented through the first tri. It's simply not true that one test is enough.

You're totally right to be leery of this doc.

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by aphel 

Don't cry mama! But do find a new doc. I had my progesterone levels checked weekly from 6-10 weeks and supplemented through the first tri. It's simply not true that one test is enough.

You're totally right to be leery of this doc.

Thank you!  Can I ask what led you to start being checked at 6 weeks?  Were your levels low right away or did they decrease over time?  I cannot BELIEVE how much trouble I am having finding a doctor willing to even do a stinkin blood draw on me next week...
 

[aphel]

I was actually seeing an RE and had IUI. I have endo and progesterone issues are common, so they were on the look out, and I started supplementing a week after the procedure. I had also had a previous blighted ovum (before I was seeing the RE) and my doc thought it was possible that it was due to hormonal issues, and not necessarily a chromosomal thing.

I'm not sure what my exact levels were, but they were low enough that I was started on supplements seven days after the procedure. Even with the sups (oral lozenges, 200mg 3x daily), my levels were borderline at 6 weeks, and they added another 200mg.

It's kind of an interesting topic, but from what I understand, some docs don't believe that low progesterone puts a woman at risk for m/c, but rather that a pregnancy doomed to m/c will have low progesterone just due to the non-viable nature of the pregnancy. My RE, obviously, was not one of them. I hope you can find someone that will take your concerns seriously and put your mind at ease.

Good luck, and remember, you've got a successful pregnancy under your belt, so your body can most likely do this!