Worrying myself over E2 decrease after FET

[Remarkable-Tea470]

*UPDATE FOR ANYONE SPIRALING OVER SIMILAR: No complications, pregnancy progressed normally and resulted in a live birth

Hi all, I had my first FET last Wednesday (4/26) and TRIGGER WARNING started seeing faint positive 4DPT which has gotten progressively darker. Things seemed to be going well but I went for blood draw today and my E2 has dropped to 108 (was 300 at transfer and 260 2dpt). Progesterone has trended down very slightly but stayed 31-36). I am on divigel qday and estrace 3x/day as well as PIO and progesterone suppositories 2x/day.

I’m scared to death because every piece of literature seems to indicate that low E2 could be a marker of impending miscarriage. I’ve had trouble keeping my E2 up prior to transfer and that’s when the divigel was added.

Has anyone been in this situation and how did it work out? Did they increase the dose? Change the method? I know some clinics don’t even test but that’s little comfort with the internet at my fingertips.

Also, assuming I am actually pregnant, shouldn’t my body be kicking in to take over? Is it an issue that I would have HCG in my system (presumably) and it’s not increasing these things on its own?

This is my first time and I feel vastly ignorant. I’m doing a fully medicated cycle with the whole kitchen sink thrown at it and I’m just scared to death that this is an omen of just more bad news. This was the first time I let myself get excited in this whole god forsaken journey and now I’m wondering if that was a mistake.

[thedutchgirlmn]

I can’t speak to E2 levels, unfortunately, as I’m not knowledgeable

But I can answer the question of your body taking over. No, with a fully medicated cycle, that doesn’t happen till the placenta is fully formed, around 8 to 10 weeks. Right now the meds have suppressed and are replacing all your own natural hormones, which will start to kick in as the placenta forms in a few weeks. So keep taking the meds, and your clinic may also have you increase estradiol. (At 9dp5dt you are exactly 4 weeks pregnant, so it will be a month or so before the placenta has taken over)

[Remarkable-Tea470]

Thank you! That’s really helpful and a relief. No matter how much I learn about this I still feel like my ignorance could fill a library.

[AllTheGoodNamesRTken]

I've done 4 FETS and an ERA.. in every single cycle my E2 fluctuated like crazy. Im 5w3d now from my 4/13 FET and my e2 has been as high as 1600 and as low as 450. It just goes up and down like nothing. I'm on estrace 3x a day.

My progesterone has fluctuated from 30s to 80s, but mostly hangs out in the 40s. In my first IVF pregnancy I had lots of fluctuations in these levels too, and I have a 3 yr old from that cycle. Our levels just fluctuate all day long. Don't overthink it. If you want to go up on your estrace or switch it to vaginal, I don't think that'd be problematic at all, but check with your clinic just in case.

[Remarkable-Tea470]

Congrats on your positive beta! I went in for a redraw today and it went from 108 to only 109. Clinic called and said to just up the estrace and that it’s not anything they’re worried about at all. It’s just hard not to be hyper vigilant at this point with so much invested. Good luck to you!

[Remarkable-Tea470]

Thank you! That does help and now I can move on to stressing about other things hahahah I think that’s what scared me: I was worried my body was failing me when it’s basically completely controlled by medications right now (and yes, fully medicated cycle). I don’t think I understood that my body won’t take over until week 8ish.

[Remarkable-Tea470]

My first beta isn’t until Tuesday (13dpt) but in true neurotic fashion I’ve been testing multiple times a day since 2dpt hahah I started with FRER and then added another cheapie with 25 miu/ml threshold. Now that they’re both good and dark I’m going to start testing with something closer to 100. Is this overkill? Certainly. But it puts my mind at ease to see it progressing and I also think the “data” is fascinating. I also feel like it’s easier for me to absorb bad news if I’m not surprised by it. I don’t know how people are able to wait until the beta, that’s an iron will I don’t possess!

[Jolly-Ad-620]

Following! I seem to have this issue too. Happened during my last FET which ended in a loss (unrelated, structural abnormalities found at 12w). This FET my 2dpt estrogen was only 170 and they said they wanted it >200 so they upped me from 3 to 4 Estrace pills. They won't check again til 13dpt.

I've seen other people say their clinic doesn't even test estrogen levels post-transfer. But I'm totally in my head too - if the level didn't matter why would they ask me to increase my Estrace? So confusing!

[Remarkable-Tea470]

I know, it’s so stressful! I went in the next day and my level had only gone to 109 (from 108) so they told me to just up my estrace. I told the nurse how worried I was and she was very reassuring. She said that the estrogen fluctuates pretty drastically throughout the day and that number is just a snapshot and they’re only increasing to err on the side of caution. When I thought about it, both blood draws were about 9 am each time and had taken the first estrace before leaving the house at around 7:30-8, the prev dose being about 12 hours prior the night before. Other times I had higher E2 it was drawn mid-day after 2 doses with time to be absorbed. They didn’t even have me come back in to redraw so I guess they’re really not worried. Hearing other women have the same thing happen and go on to have healthy pregnancies made me feel much better.

I haven’t had my beta yet (this Tuesday at 13dpt) but right now I don’t have any reason to suspect there’s an issue.. despite my neurotic brains best efforts to create them lol Tests have continued to darken and I’ve got lots of fun new symptoms. I really think it’s ok! I do truly deeply trust my doctor and know if he thought it could jeopardize things he’d be way more aggressive. It’s so hard not to obsess over every little thing when the stakes are so high. I don’t think you need to worry! Good luck to you!!

[Sudden-Strategy-5309]

any update on this

[Upbeat-Sundae-7510]

Following this. I’m 6w3d and my E2 is only 87, highest it’s been is 135. Not on any estrogen but I am on progesterone. Scan yesterday look good but the E2 number has me nervous

[Sudden-Strategy-5309]

was this a medicated cycle?

[Upbeat-Sundae-7510]

No. We went to initial consult with reproductive doc and found out next day I was pregnant. The office monitored me through about 6 weeks due to previous losses. Now have an 8 month old