Back to Back Miscarriages
Question
I am 39 yrs old, and in March I took the radioactive iodine pill to disolve my throid. I am currently on sythroid. In Nov. I became pregnant, and later learned that my progesterone levels were low. My doctor put me on prometrium. My levels went up but I still had a miscarriage at eight weeks and had a DNC. I became pregnant again in Feb. and at four weeks had another miscarriage because my progesterone levels were low again. I want to get pregnant again with success but want to know if there is something I can do or take to increase my progesterone levels?
Wendy
Answer
Last Updated: November 13, 2021
Dear Wendy,
Often, Prometrium is not enough to keep the progesterone up and prevent miscarriage. We generally use progesterone (not medroxyprogesterone acetate or hydroxyprogesterone caproate) injected intramuscularly to prevent miscarriage.
Other issues to consider: is your thyroid level adjusted optimally and is there any other reason for your miscarriages. You may want to start charting your cycles with an NFP method then obtain blood samples to measure progesterone and estradiol levels at different times of the cycle. A doctor familiar with NaProTechnology then could interpret these for you and lay out a pro-active plan for you.
In Health,
Dr. George Delgado
Often, Prometrium is not enough to keep the progesterone up and prevent miscarriage. We generally use progesterone (not medroxyprogesterone acetate or hydroxyprogesterone caproate) injected intramuscularly to prevent miscarriage.
Other issues to consider: is your thyroid level adjusted optimally and is there any other reason for your miscarriages. You may want to start charting your cycles with an NFP method then obtain blood samples to measure progesterone and estradiol levels at different times of the cycle. A doctor familiar with NaProTechnology then could interpret these for you and lay out a pro-active plan for you.
In Health,
Dr. George Delgado
Answered By:
George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
George Delgado, MD, President and Founder of Steno Institute and Medical Director of Culture of Life Family Services (COLFS), San Diego, is a Professional Member / Supporter of CANFP. Board certified in both family medicine and hospice and palliative medicine, Dr. Delgado received his medical degree from the University of California, Davis, and completed his residency at Santa Monica Hospital/UCLA. Dr. Delgado is a Natural Family Planning Medical Consultant, trained in NaProTechnology. He and wife have four children and seven grandchildren.
