Hi all...
I'm going to do a saliva testing of all of my hormones again...I did blood work a few months ago of my fsh, estradiol and thyroid. With all that I read about the progesterone...I am curious what mine is. I have heard that the best time to test it is day 21 of your cycle. Is that what anyone else had heard? I bought progesterone months ago...used it for two cycles..I felt less anxiety but felt like it made my period come a few days early so i stopped. Does anyone know how long it takes for the progesterone to have an overall affect on the other symptoms? I used a bioidentical product from the health food store. Any advice would be appreciated.
Marie
Full Version: What is ideal time to test progesterone?
Marie, I see nobody answered your questions, and I don't have a firm answer but here's what I've found out and what I'm doing ...
In a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone peaks around day 21. That's probably why it's recommended that you test on day 21. Estrogen is also pretty high then, so you could do a combo test, estrogen and progesterone.
The two hormones are lowest during menstruation.
I just did a saliva test on Feb 2, which would have been the 2nd or 3rd day of my period if I'd had one this month (I missed Jan too). I wanted to capture the lows of E and P. I was going to do a test on Feb 16 to capture the E and P highs, but Feb 21 would be better.
Based on what I've read (which is now substantial), it might take 4-6 months until you've gotten the right dose and your body has settled down a bit. If you have a little bleeding I think that's normal. Are you taking a break from the progesterone each month ? I read that this is the right thing to do. I recommend the books by Dr. Lee, lots of helpful info in them.
In a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone peaks around day 21. That's probably why it's recommended that you test on day 21. Estrogen is also pretty high then, so you could do a combo test, estrogen and progesterone.
The two hormones are lowest during menstruation.
I just did a saliva test on Feb 2, which would have been the 2nd or 3rd day of my period if I'd had one this month (I missed Jan too). I wanted to capture the lows of E and P. I was going to do a test on Feb 16 to capture the E and P highs, but Feb 21 would be better.
Based on what I've read (which is now substantial), it might take 4-6 months until you've gotten the right dose and your body has settled down a bit. If you have a little bleeding I think that's normal. Are you taking a break from the progesterone each month ? I read that this is the right thing to do. I recommend the books by Dr. Lee, lots of helpful info in them.
QUOTE (SandraSmith @ Feb 4 2007, 12:51 PM) 
Marie, I see nobody answered your questions, and I don't have a firm answer but here's what I've found out and what I'm doing ...
In a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone peaks around day 21. That's probably why it's recommended that you test on day 21. Estrogen is also pretty high then, so you could do a combo test, estrogen and progesterone.
The two hormones are lowest during menstruation.
I just did a saliva test on Feb 2, which would have been the 2nd or 3rd day of my period if I'd had one this month (I missed Jan too). I wanted to capture the lows of E and P. I was going to do a test on Feb 16 to capture the E and P highs, but Feb 21 would be better.
Based on what I've read (which is now substantial), it might take 4-6 months until you've gotten the right dose and your body has settled down a bit. If you have a little bleeding I think that's normal. Are you taking a break from the progesterone each month ? I read that this is the right thing to do. I recommend the books by Dr. Lee, lots of helpful info in them.
In a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone peaks around day 21. That's probably why it's recommended that you test on day 21. Estrogen is also pretty high then, so you could do a combo test, estrogen and progesterone.
The two hormones are lowest during menstruation.
I just did a saliva test on Feb 2, which would have been the 2nd or 3rd day of my period if I'd had one this month (I missed Jan too). I wanted to capture the lows of E and P. I was going to do a test on Feb 16 to capture the E and P highs, but Feb 21 would be better.
Based on what I've read (which is now substantial), it might take 4-6 months until you've gotten the right dose and your body has settled down a bit. If you have a little bleeding I think that's normal. Are you taking a break from the progesterone each month ? I read that this is the right thing to do. I recommend the books by Dr. Lee, lots of helpful info in them.
Hi Sandra...thanks for responding. I was also told the 21st day was the day to test progesterone. I think I'll retest everything on that day. I had fsh,thyroid,estradiol tested via a bloodtest.....but not progesterone. I bought bioidentical progesterone and used it for two cycles....started the 14th day of my cycle and stopped once my period started. i did that for two months and stopped as I thought it brought my period on a few days early. I probably should have continued on with it. I feel safer to test all first now..just to get a better idea of where I am. My gyno said if my period got messed up then to stop the progesterone as she said I didn't need it...based on the fsh and estradiol. I don't think that would actually give much of a clue to my progesterone level though...but I didn't question her then. Now I'll do the whole hormone panel and see...and if progest. is low (which i think it is) I'll give it more than a two month try. I will get Dr. Lee's books...been looking at them on amazon. Thanks again for responding.Marie
Lee and his co-authors say low progesterone is a common prob for peri women. My FSH is normal for a menstruating woman, but I have missed 2 periods and the last 8 before then were irregularly timed. Don't know yet what my estrogen is, but I am heavy (about 30 pounds over my ideal weight) so I might not be low on estrogen. I read that menstruation is triggered by the drop in progesterone, so it's possible my estrogen is alright but my progesterone is low so there is no drop or not enough drop to cause menstruation ?? Hopefully the test results will be enlightening, though I think the test for my high levels would be more informative than the test for the low levels I just did.
I just ordered Pro-Gest paraben-free single use packets (and some DKNY black tights ! LOL) via Amazon. I really don't want to start the Pro-Gest until my Feb 21 test, but I'm so certain now my progesterone is low it will be hard to hold off using the cream for another month. I don't like the thought of my uterine lining building up and not being shed because my progesterone is low !
I just ordered Pro-Gest paraben-free single use packets (and some DKNY black tights ! LOL) via Amazon. I really don't want to start the Pro-Gest until my Feb 21 test, but I'm so certain now my progesterone is low it will be hard to hold off using the cream for another month. I don't like the thought of my uterine lining building up and not being shed because my progesterone is low !
Hi Sandra...
I'm curious what your results will show. I am also tempted to pull out my progesterone cream and use it again, but I'm ordering all the saliva tests and doing them on the 21st day of my cycle....two weeks from now. I don't want anything to interfere with the results...I know that the levels fluctuate so much. I have read that being overweight, which I am by 50 lbs, will mean that most likely you are not deficient in estrogen. I have a friend in her late 40's who is at least 50 lbs overweight...just had her hormones checked and they showed her to need estrogen. They put her on a patch and she said within two days about 80% of her stiffness, aches, pains and irritability are gone. She said that she didn't realize how crappy she'd been feeling until she went on the patch and started feeling so much better.
I for one can't remember what feeling good was like. I keep asking myself if I always felt this crappy physically, but because I have so much anxiety now I wonder if all is just magnified? I drove to Walmart yesterday and because of my off balance feeling, i was terrified. I'm always afraid I'll fall or get so dizzy that I'll spin to a lump of flesh on the floor. It makes it rough to go anywhere when you are afraid that your body will fail you. I've read that the progesterone being low is the cause of the dizzy off balance thing...although I read here about water retention in the cells/ ears, too. Whatever the cause, I want it fixed. The trick is to find the right combo of hormones, vitamins...whatever.
Keep me/us posted as to your results. Marie
I'm curious what your results will show. I am also tempted to pull out my progesterone cream and use it again, but I'm ordering all the saliva tests and doing them on the 21st day of my cycle....two weeks from now. I don't want anything to interfere with the results...I know that the levels fluctuate so much. I have read that being overweight, which I am by 50 lbs, will mean that most likely you are not deficient in estrogen. I have a friend in her late 40's who is at least 50 lbs overweight...just had her hormones checked and they showed her to need estrogen. They put her on a patch and she said within two days about 80% of her stiffness, aches, pains and irritability are gone. She said that she didn't realize how crappy she'd been feeling until she went on the patch and started feeling so much better.
I for one can't remember what feeling good was like. I keep asking myself if I always felt this crappy physically, but because I have so much anxiety now I wonder if all is just magnified? I drove to Walmart yesterday and because of my off balance feeling, i was terrified. I'm always afraid I'll fall or get so dizzy that I'll spin to a lump of flesh on the floor. It makes it rough to go anywhere when you are afraid that your body will fail you. I've read that the progesterone being low is the cause of the dizzy off balance thing...although I read here about water retention in the cells/ ears, too. Whatever the cause, I want it fixed. The trick is to find the right combo of hormones, vitamins...whatever.
Keep me/us posted as to your results. Marie
No test results yet, but I did visit my gynecologist yesterday for my yearly exam, and I told her I had been having hot flashes and palpiatations and had missed 2 periods. So she ordered blood tests for the usual culprits, plus prolactin which I initially thought was a mistake but later read that excess prolactin can cause missed periods. I don't think that's my prob and the gynecologist didn't seem to either, I guess she's just being thorough.
So now I will ultimately have 3 test results, 2 saliva tests (Feb 2 and Feb 21) and one blood test (Feb 5). I will definitely post the results as they roll in. My gynecologist said she will consult with me when the blood tests are available, not sure how involved she's willing to be but maybe HRT is an interest of hers. I have also been incontact with Bellevue Pharmacy (linked to this web site) and they are willing to consult with me after they receive the saliva test results. Who knows, maybe I am low on estrogen !
So now I will ultimately have 3 test results, 2 saliva tests (Feb 2 and Feb 21) and one blood test (Feb 5). I will definitely post the results as they roll in. My gynecologist said she will consult with me when the blood tests are available, not sure how involved she's willing to be but maybe HRT is an interest of hers. I have also been incontact with Bellevue Pharmacy (linked to this web site) and they are willing to consult with me after they receive the saliva test results. Who knows, maybe I am low on estrogen !
Hi Sandra..
I didn't know Bellevue consults..I may use them. I just order a package which will test 15 things via my saliva. I'm doing the normal hormones, thyroid, dhea and cortisol..I think 3-4 times with the cortisol. I'm using a local pharmacy and getting the tests for about 193. I think this will give me a good picture of where I am with alot of things..keeping in mind that it all fluctuates daily.
I know this muscle stiffness has GOT to be some hormone that I am deficient in...my face feels tight...my face has NEVER felt tight. As soon as I can move freely again, I'm throwing myself into yoga, pilates and some form of aerobic activity so I can burn off as much anxiety as I can. I'll use whatever hormone replacement that i need and do whatever natural supplements that I can. I am tired of feeling like my bod has been taken over...I want it back! I'll be doing alot of spitting next friday..never done the saliva tests. They say they are more acurate than the bloodwork.
Hope you get some answers with your results when they come.
Marie
I didn't know Bellevue consults..I may use them. I just order a package which will test 15 things via my saliva. I'm doing the normal hormones, thyroid, dhea and cortisol..I think 3-4 times with the cortisol. I'm using a local pharmacy and getting the tests for about 193. I think this will give me a good picture of where I am with alot of things..keeping in mind that it all fluctuates daily.
I know this muscle stiffness has GOT to be some hormone that I am deficient in...my face feels tight...my face has NEVER felt tight. As soon as I can move freely again, I'm throwing myself into yoga, pilates and some form of aerobic activity so I can burn off as much anxiety as I can. I'll use whatever hormone replacement that i need and do whatever natural supplements that I can. I am tired of feeling like my bod has been taken over...I want it back! I'll be doing alot of spitting next friday..never done the saliva tests. They say they are more acurate than the bloodwork.
Hope you get some answers with your results when they come.
Marie
Hey Marie, In the Open Menopuase Journal section I started a new topic with my blood test results if you're interested in looking at them. Feel free to analyze and propose a diagnosis. :-) I am still waiting for results from saliva test #1. And my second saliva test to capture my progesterone peak has been pushed out, seeing as how I started a period on Feb 7-8. I will do that saliva test on Feb 28.
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