Is Low Progesterone in Pregnancy Serious?
Question
My wife had a Tubal last year. We are now pregnant again. The doctor, which I don’t like, did blood work and it said her hormone level was a six and it should be around 15. I’m not a doctor but he wants to put her on progesterone to boost her levels. My question is , is this a normal thing for women to go through or is this a serious thing?
John
Answer
Last Updated: December 2, 2014
Dear John,
Your doctor has recommended progesterone supplementation to support your wife’s pregnancy. This sounds very reasonable, especially in light of the very low progesterone levels. The level of progesterone in pregnancy varies according to how far along a woman is–but even in very early pregnancy, a level of 6 ng/ml is very low. This can be serious; and it may suggest that your wife is at high risk of miscarriage. We know that progesterone support when given after the first trimester for high risk pregnancies helps prevent preterm birth. We suspect that progesterone given in earlier pregnancy may help prevent miscarriage. Certainly with documented low progesterone levels, progesterone support is indicated. Your doctor is ahead of many of his colleagues by actually checking your wife’s levels.
Dr. John Gisla
Your doctor has recommended progesterone supplementation to support your wife’s pregnancy. This sounds very reasonable, especially in light of the very low progesterone levels. The level of progesterone in pregnancy varies according to how far along a woman is–but even in very early pregnancy, a level of 6 ng/ml is very low. This can be serious; and it may suggest that your wife is at high risk of miscarriage. We know that progesterone support when given after the first trimester for high risk pregnancies helps prevent preterm birth. We suspect that progesterone given in earlier pregnancy may help prevent miscarriage. Certainly with documented low progesterone levels, progesterone support is indicated. Your doctor is ahead of many of his colleagues by actually checking your wife’s levels.
Dr. John Gisla
Answered By:
John Gisla, MD
Dr. John Gisla, Board Certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians, pracitces in the Sacramento Region.
