So my doctor's office called with my lab results and the actual word the nurse used on the voicemail was "excellent." So because she didn't leave the exact amounts, I called back and asked for them and, to my surprise, the progesterone didn't seem too excellent to me. The progesterone was 8.21 and the estradiol was 177. I'm no expert, but from what I've heard and read on other blogs, the progesterone seems low. And it's much lower than it was the last time I had it tested a couple months ago, when it was 16.7.
Now, I should point out that I had it drawn on Monday, which was day 27 of my cycle. I wanted to get it done on Saturday, but the lab was already closed by the time I could do it, and then Sunday everything was closed. Monday, the day I had it drawn, was my actual peak +7 day according to my chart, but I really think I just had post-peak mucus (probably another problem in and of itself). So, if my ovulatory event was earlier than my Creighton peak day (like, if it happened when my temp rose five days earlier), then perhaps my progesterone had peaked and was already dropping by Monday.
I don't know. Maybe it's not a big deal. I mean, my doctor knows way more than me, obviously, and he called it excellent. And I googled it and found that at least the web site I checked said 8 to 10 is normal.
I just sometimes feel like I am overly pessimistic and yet sometimes I feel like it is so obvious something is wrong and I am in denial. I don't know which it is. But at least this cycle I had too many days of mucus, no clear ovulation day, pain on my left side, some pain on the right, low progesterone. Things seem like they are getting worse rather than better.
Does anyone know anything about estradiol amounts?
I'm okay. I don't mean to sound so upset in every post. I'm getting through it and it's just an abnormally tough week. I can do this.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Lab results
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I am stumped!
ReplyDeleteI mean I don't know how women get pregnant. They all can't have picture perfect cycles but they all get pregnant. I mean we pay close attention and we can't even straighten out what is going on or get pregnant. I just don't get it?
My next suggestion is going to be...Just put me on the drugs you give IVF patients without doing IVF. Maybe then I will get pregnant? Hands up in the air??? :)
Okay lady, here's a funny secret. The week before I conceived my twins my progesterone level was 0.05...in otherwords, post-menopausal level. So there you go. Now, looking back I should have insisted on supplementing the suppositories with injections of prog. but I didn't.
ReplyDeleteoh, love... i just read your last post. i just want you to know that i'm praying for you.
ReplyDeletethat's what i can offer now.
hang in there, one day, one hour at a time.
Thorn, that is why I think sometimes it kills us even more to pay this much attention. Because if everything is okay then ultimately it is in God's hands. We can't possibly have perfect hormones all the time. And if that were the case how do drug addicts get pregnant????? It's not because they have perfect hormones.
ReplyDeleteI think that on medicated post peak cycles estrodial should be around 150 and progesterone around 15.0. Unmedicated, I think that anything over 12 is normal. Just my tired thoughts.
ReplyDeletei'm stumped as well.
ReplyDeleteyou're in my prayers. i can't imagine all the stuff that you're going through right now. stay strong my friend.
My prayers are going out to you. Plus I was so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. It's always hard to lose loved ones. My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm stumped too. I think I have just stopped trying to understand all the different hormone levels. It makes me crazy. My progesterone has always run low-always! With each pregnancy I've had to do progesterone to try to sustain the pregnancy. With Jack it worked, for the others before him, it didn't. I read and read all I can about PCOS and I still don't understand totally why things happen as they do. And to baffle me more... This current little miracle. The day I went in to get a blood draw for a pregnancy test, my level came back at 16 or 17! I have never been that high on my own. They didn't take any chances though I did supplements until week 13 just to make sure. So far so good. I'm 16 weeks tomorrow. However, I'm still holding my breath. I'd don't think I'll breathe easy until July. I truly think trying to understand it all can only drive one nuts. I feel for you. I think you deserve the distraction of some yummy chocolate.
First, I'd like to second Sew's comments.
ReplyDelete(as usual).
But I also wanted to say that I really agree with your suspicions that you were probably much later in your cycle on the day your blood was drawn.
Also, when I asked about my progesterone levels last week, my REI doc said that anything over 5 means you definitely ovulated. (for what THAT'S worth, coming from an REI doc! I didn't know they could know such things. I always thought there is no way to know for sure whether you ovulated unless you can prove it via ultrasound!)
Is it possible to have it drawn again during a cycle that is much clearer in terms of your peak day?
I hope and pray that you could have it drawn again next cycle (and that things are clearer next cycle ... or that you are able to draw on your peak +7 according to Creighton) if only to ease your mind.
I think IF really messes with our heads. As you pointed out, its hard to know whether we are actually really detecting further problems or whether we simply don't know what to do with our cycles because we aren't pregnant yet and all we really need to do is wait it out.
Lord, give us wisdom to know how to proceed, what to try to fix, and what to just leave alone.
I have been lurking for awhile and since I just started my own blog and have log in and all I thought it perfect timing to chime in.
ReplyDeleteI can't help you at all, because we are just starting all this craziness and I don't know much, but I want you to know I am praying for you. Remember all the great saints and biblical heroes suffered just like this. You really are an inspiration; you write so well and so honestly!
I agree with everyone...IF is confusing and very hard to understand. I've given up trying to figure it out. Awhile back, a friend told me it's not what you ask of God but how you ask it? Hmmm...I liked what Lifehopes said in her post:
ReplyDelete"Lord, give us wisdom to know how to proceed, what to try to fix, and what to just leave alone." We do need his wisdom and guidance. And you know....medicine is not an exact science. What works for a million women may not work for you. Us IF girls put a lot of trust in our Dr's and that's okay but sometimes I wonder if they even really know. I've resorted to trusting in God more. Afterall, he's the one that really knows what is going on. :)
Your words really strike a chord with me. Hang in there... I'm glad to hear your levels are so high. It took 6 months of Clomid to raise my levels from 2.1 to 11. And I STILL didn't get pregnant. :( But so for the grace of God go I.
ReplyDelete