Harm in taking progesterone?

Question

Alright ladies, here’s a little back story.  I miscarried back in March at almost 6 weeks. My hcg level was in the 7000s. My former doc didn’t do a progesterone test until the day before I started bleeding. Progesterone was 2.5 when I miscarried then my hcg dropped to the 4000s. 
Fast forward this pregnancy and I’m back with my doc (thank God!) that I had with my first child.  On Monday, my hcg levels were 101 and progesterone was 14.  Yesterday my levels were 453. I just turned 4 weeks today, and my hcg numbers more than tripled in 48 hours so he said that’s good.  I called back to ask if I should get on progesterone due to what happened in my last pregnancy. The medical assistant called me back and said that the doctor doesn’t believe I’m going to need progesterone as he’s satisfied with the 14 progesterone number, but he will prescribe it if it’ll make me feel better so he did.  So, here’s my question...  I thought 14 was on the low side of progesterone?  And will there be any harm at all in taking the progesterone even though my doc says he doesn’t think I need it??  I’m conflicted now if I should take it or not.  I’m just now concerned that taking progesterone may do some sort of harm. Call me paranoid, haha.  Thanks for reading this far!!

Answer

I’m pregnant now and being seen by a doctor through a fertility center. This is what I was told about progesterone.......
I requested when my HCG level was taken at 5 weeks that my progesterone level also be checked, so they did. When they called me with the levels, they said my progesterone was low. But that since my HCG was so high they weren’t that worried. I kind of panicked as I’ve had 2 miscarriages before and they put me on progesterone suppositories. I sent my doctor a message through the health system and she gave me a call.
So what she said was that she would keep me on the progesterone as a peace of mind thing for myself...but this is what she said about progesterone: levels change throughout the day and it’s less about what YOU’RE producing as what the pregnancy is producing. If the progesterone and the HCG are low, then the body is just recognizing that the pregnancy isn’t viable. She said that a lot of information out there on progesterone is from old studies - some from around 20 years ago. She said for that reason she doesn’t even test for progesterone.
The main thing she wanted me to take away is that anxiety is the worst thing for pregnancy...so please just speak to your doctor. A lot of the information you will get from others or from the Internet is not going to be applicable to your own unique situation. Every pregnancy and every person is different. So don’t panic...just speak with your doctor and I’m sure you will gain some peace of mind ♥️

Answer

To my understanding once you need progesterone, you should always get on it just in case. It won’t hurt you. It’s a hormone supplement so like taking a vitamin. I would 100% recommend getting on it, I lost 4 babies due to low progesterone by like 4 weeks. I was put on it with my daughter and she’s a healthy 2 year old. I got it immediately and I’m at 5 weeks 4 days tomorrow with my second baby. There’s no guarantee you won’t MC but it’s like insurance for an issue you know you’ve had in the past. That makes it completely worth it to me.

Answer

I’m taking progesterone suppositories twice a day. This is my 9th pregnancy as I’ve lost 8. My fertility doc prescribes it to patients until 10-11 weeks. The last few losses I’ve had were thought to be from low progesterone. It didn’t rise anywhere near 25. He likes to see at least 25. Progesterone does play a very important role in pregnancy. This time I took Letrozole 2.5 and my level was 56! When I had my son 4 years ago, my level was 46 with just suppositories.  
If your worried, they should listen to you. You need to have a doctor “on your team”. I lost 3 before my son, one at 12 1/2 weeks. My husband put his foot down and said we’re getting I second opinion. Thank goodness we did. Prayers and baby dust for you.

Answer

Progesterone is very important in the first trimester. It prepares your uterus and thickens/strengthens the lining so the embryo stays latched onto the walls in the beginning stages. While it’s not the single factor that determines whether or not a miscarriage happens, it’s one of the factors, if not one of the most important. In the first 6 weeks, your level should be between 12-20 at the least. So 14 is within range. But if you’re worried, then it doesn’t hurt to be persistent on rechecking it often. However after the 6th week, through the first trimester, the level can range anywhere from 9-47 and be healthy. I’ve even heard of the range go up to 90 and still be perfectly safe and healthy.  But it’s always more helpful and recommended for the level to be as elevated as possible within that range. The higher, the better.
It isn’t dangerous at all to take progesterone. It’s encouraged if the levels are lower than they should be. It also depends on the person at risk. Me for example, I’ve been chronically low in progesterone for years! It’s one of the main issues I had that kept me from being able to get pregnant. My levels were 0.2 the last I had them checked in February/March. Basically at zero. They should have been between 5-20. So I’ve been on the progesterone pills off and on the past two years, and nonstop since February. My husband and I finally just got pregnant after nine months of trying persistently. And I’m still taking the progesterone every day until my doctor tells me not to. I’m doing what I feel comfortable and safe doing. So when I go to my first appointment next week, I’ll have them test all those levels and make sure I’m good.

Answer

If I remember correctly, my doctors office wants to see it at least 10 in pregnancy. They also typically prescribe vaginal progesterone almost to everyone (reproductive endocrinologist). I’ve been told it may not help if a pregnancy is failing, but it does not harm. Other than being gross and annoying, using it can’t hurt anything.

Answer

I had 2 chemical before and am 6 weeks now I had a ultrasound and my bean HR is 110 everything looks good but he put me on progesterone pill to help the pregnancy till am 12 weeks  there is no harm in taking them if there were the doc would not prescribe them and my besti was on the shot till the baby was born because she had a still born at 24 weeks 
So am taking mine am not taking any chance

Answer

Mine was 14.7 at 10dpo with an HCG of 32.4. They rechecked the HCG at 12dpo which was 78.2 but she didn’t check progesterone again because it was fine. 
I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks in April. My HCG was 2300 and my progesterone was 2.1 the day I started spotting. I did not have previous labs with this pregnancy as my first was completely normal and a happy healthy 15 month old. 
My OB did not prescribe progesterone for this pregnancy. She said it needs to be a 10 at least to sustain a pregnancy and levels change all the time. I have my first appointment on Wednesday, I can update with my levels then.

Harm in taking progesterone?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey