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Trying to figure this all out

by Amber
(Utah)

I have been taking 600mg of Micronized SR capsule Progesterone. When my levels were first tested in June of 2010 (blood test) my levels were 8.4. In February of this year my levels were 12.2 I do not know at what point in my cycles I was when these tests were done. My physican told me it didn't matter. Now I am reading and feeling like it DID matter. When he first perscribed, he told me that my Estrogen and Progesterone were too far apart and I had too much Estrogen. The only Estrogen test I can find is Estradiol which was a 59 in June of 2010, my first test. He has not tested it since.

I started seeing this physican because he does HRT with bioidentical hormones. I have been taking the hormones to balance out severe mood swings and depression. I take the above mentioned 600mg of Progesterone at night in pill form every day. I am also taking 120mg armour thyroid each morning. In addition I take Vit D3 5,000 IU, B vit complex and a PreNatal vit.

For the past 13 months I have been attempting to get pregnant. I am 30yrs old. I have had 4 previous pregnancies with no problems. All of them concieved in less than 3 months and all resulting in a healthy baby. I recently took an ovulation test (at home test strips) and did not ovulate. Could the Progesterone be causing issues? Should I be taking that much- every day?? I feel good- other than not being able to get pregnant, but I am beginning to have frustration and feel like my physican has become like every other Dr. and is just brushing off my concerns. What is your input?

Comments for Trying to figure this all out

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Aug 12, 2011
 4 Kids?
by: Anonymous

Let me get this straight.. you are 30 years old, you already have 4 children and you want more?

I'm not joking around here, but if this I'm understanding the scenario, I would perhaps put the "mood swings" etc. on being a super-busy mom.
Aug 13, 2011
 Trying to figure this all out
by: Wray

Hi Amber Although you are taking a high dose progesterone, oral is not the best Delivery system, as most of it gets destroyed in the gut and liver. It does matter when the test is done. Progesterone peaks mid-luteal phase, which is ±7 days after ovulation and before bleeding. If taken at any other time, progesterone will register low. A lack of progesterone can upset the ovarian cycle resulting in anovulation. High FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone and oestrogen upset it too. I'm pleased you're taking 5000iu's vitamin D, this should be the minimum dose. For more info see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital websites. Vitamin D is essential for ovulation, please have a test done to find your level, it could be too low in spite of the dose you're taking. It's also essential for a successful pregnancy, and vital for a growing foetus, see here, here, here, here and here. This is an excellent video to watch too, see here.
We also have a page on Pregnancy you might like to read through. I suggest you change to a progesterone which is easily absorbed, the amount can be lowered too. I recommend 100-200mg/day, dependant on symptoms. There's more info on our page How to use progesterone. Take care Wray
Aug 13, 2011
 Not because of my kids. :)
by: Amber

Anon- I would say that too but I've been dealing with the mood swings and depression since I was in my early teens. I'd say probably about the time I started my cycle.. :) LONG before I became a wife and mother. I'd been looking for something to help all along, but I knew I didn't want to go on an antidepressant. Then I found out about HRT. It's been a great thing for me- but I've just been trying to figure out if it's keeping me from getting pregnant. If I had to choose between feeling as good as I've felt and having another baby- I'd probably stay with feeling good and enjoying the kids I have. I'd like to get some answers though. :)
Aug 16, 2011
 Not because of my kids. :)
by: Wray

Hi Amber I'd say you were short of progesterone since starting puberty. Progesterone can act as a contraceptive, without the adverse side effects of Contraceptives. But only if used before ovulation. I see I missed your comment about using it every day, it could be stopping ovulation. But I feel the amount you're absorbing would be too low, oral progesterone is not very effective. I suggest you start following your cycle, and see if that helps. I would also recommend changing to a form which is absorbed well. You didn't mention the antidepressants in your first comment, we do have a page on Anxiety. It lists several nutrients which help anxiety and depression. Please have a vitamin D test, because if low, this also causes depression. Take care Wray

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