Clomid and progesterone levels
#1
Posted 21 April 2015 - 06:27 PM
Thank you!
Not overweight, pretty healthy overall, but nothing seemed to help
Went on metformin and more cycles of Clomid, still no pregnancy
Got fed up! Referred to fertility specialist
Jan 2013 Failed superovulation/IUI
Switched clinics
IVF #1 and only - May/June 2013 - Lupron, Gonal F, and Menopur
Retrieved 17 eggs, 14 fertilized, 7 made it to blastocyst
Embryo transfer cancelled due to OHSS
I love my clinic and my doctor.
FET #1 - Lupron, Estrace, and Prometrium
Aug 18th 2013 - Lining check, 8.5mm, looking "sweet"
Aug 22nd - Embryo transfer, one 4AA blastocyst
Aug 26th - HPT = BFN, August 29th - HPT = BFP!!
Aug 31st - Beta #1 = 220!!;
Sept 3rd - Beta #2 = 915;
Sept 9th - Beta #3 = 7444
Due date = May 11, 2014 = Mother's Day!!!
September 26th - First ultrasound @ 7w4d = 1 baby with heartrate of 169!!
Baby girl born May 3, 2014
FET #2 Lupron, estrace, crinone
Lining check Feb 8 2016, 8.09mm
February 19 - Transferred one 4AB blast
February 28 - Beta #1 = 178!!
March 1 - Beta #2 = 678!!
Due date = November 6, 2016
First ultrasound March 21, 2016 @ 7w1d = 1 baby, measuring 7w0d, HR = 134bpm
Quad screen = negative
Anatomy scan = healthy baby, but they found an echogenic focus in the heart (no other birth defects or soft markers for chromosome problems); follow-up u/s and genetic counselling.
July 26 - Harmony test results = Low risk for chromosome abnormalities!!
#2
Posted 23 April 2015 - 11:08 AM
Hi Spacebabe,
I can appreciate your doctors hesitation if he doesn't have the capability to monitor your cycle.
One of the main concerns with any stimulation medication is OVER-response - as in too many eggs being released and therefor a higher risks of twins / triplets / etc.
The tricky part is that "over-response" is patient dependent. For a young woman who usually doesn't have ovulatory cycles, then even 2 growing follicles can be considered to be an over-response, while for an older woman with other infertility related concerns, 4 follicles may be the goal of stimulation.
To properly monitor a cycle, an ultrasound is the most important tool, because you can visualize how many large follicles are developing and therefore make a decision whether there is an over-response (or a lack of response = no ovulation).
The progesterone levels in the luteal phase will just confirm that you ovulated. But if you had an over-repsonse (and didn't know it), by the time you check your progesterone, you've already put yourself at risk.
However it is important to note that in many cities without access to an ultrasound or a fertility specialist, family doctors can safely prescribe Clomid without monitoring (start low and increase the dose if there was no ovulation. If there is ovulation maintain the same dose). Your doctor can also try letrozole instead - it's been shown to have a higher ovulation rate, and less over-response (less multiple births).
Best,
-D. Nayot