progesterone Test

Progesterone is a hormone that is found in the female reproductive system. Also known as the "pregnancy hormone" it regulates and is a stimulator in pregnancy. It readies the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.

Progesterone levels rise and fall on a monthly basis based on the menstrual cycle and ovulation time. Levels increase when the egg is released from the ovary and continue to increase with early pregnancy or drop to initiate menstruation. Abnormal levels of Progesterone are noticed in ectopic pregnancy and in irregular or no menses.

Increased progesterone levels also are observed in:

• Ovarian cysts
• Non-viable pregnancies known as molar pregnancies
• Ovarian Cancer
• Overproduction of progesterone by the adrenal glands
• congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)

Low levels of progesterone are associated with:

• Toxemia Decreased function of ovariesLack of menstruation(amenorrhea)
• Menopause
• Abnormal pregnancy (dying pregnancy/unhealthy pregnancy)

Whenever there are symptoms of abnormal Progesterone in the body, a Progesterone lab test is suggested. The test for measuring Progesterone levels is the serum Progesterone test. This test is usually prescribed when women have difficulty in conceiving. The serum progesterone test is a blood test.

From the results of the test, the doctor can infer if the female is ovulating which helps in identifying any fertility problems. This test is also suggested if the female is pregnant and there is a risk of miscarriage. There are kits available in the market that allows you to do a progesterone test at home.

When females have difficulty in getting pregnant a Progesterone test is suggested. By this, the ovulation can be predicted, and pregnancy can be suggested. This test is also suggested when women are pregnant, but there are symptoms of a possible miscarriage.

By early detection of the Progesterone levels, a miscarriage can be easily prevented in the female. It is also useful in detecting ovarian cancer. Progesterone affects the ovarian cycle.

Symptoms observed in these conditions are: 

• The irregularity of the menstrual cycle
• Strong cramps during menstruation
• Higher incidence of PMS
• The greater presence of blood clots during periods
• Infertility
• Fatigue
• Dry Skin
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Dysfunction of the thyroid gland
• Hypothyroidism
• Back-ache – particularly pre-menstrual backache
• Miscarriages(BOH—Bad obstetric history)
• Weight gain
• Pre-menopausal bone loss
• Memory loss or lack of mental acuity

In women, during the menstrual cycle, the levels of Progesterone keep altering. Thus, along with the Progesterone test, luteinizing hormone (LH) test, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test, estrogen test, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test or thyroid test may be prescribed by the doctor.

24 to 36 Hours

The measurement of Progesterone levels in the body is done in nanograms per deciliter. In a menstruating female, at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the Progesterone levels should be low then increase after ovulation and fall again.

The normal test results of Progesterone are:

• 1 ng/mL or lesser in men, women at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and men
• 5 to 20 ng/mL in menstruating women
• 2 to 90 ng/mL in the first trimester of pregnancy
• 6 to 89.4 ng/mL in the second trimester of pregnancy
• 4 to 42.5 ng/mL in the third trimester of pregnancy

If the Progesterone range is out of the normal range mentioned above, there may be a health problem that the person may be facing. High Progesterone or increased progesterone levels can imply pregnancy, adrenal cancer, ovarian cancer or adrenal gland disorder. Low levels of Progesterone may be due to no ovulation, miscarriage, the death of the fetus or no periods.

If the Progesterone levels are fluctuating regularly, it means that the female suffers from irregular periods and may have issues in conceiving a child. If during pregnancy the Progesterone levels do not increase it indicates the possibility of a miscarriage.

If the levels of Progesterone are higher than anticipated, it may indicate the formation of ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer or even adrenal cancer. Progesterone treatment is possible with medication.

The Progesterone level test is a blood test wherein the technician will clean the area of your skin and collect blood from the vein using a syringe. The blood is then sent to a lab for testing. The inactive pregnanediol of progesterone can be measured by the urine test. Progesterone test cost is minimal.

There are no serious risks associated with this test since it is a simple blood draw. There may be minor risks such as pain during blood draw due to the needle, little bleeding at the area of puncture, minor bruise at puncture area, inflammation, infection at puncture area or rarely fainting.

There are medications such as oral contraceptives, or Progesterone, ampicillin and clomiphene may affect test results. If a thyroid test is done, the radioactive tracer used within seven days of Progesterone blood draw also may alter the results.

There is no specification needed for the test. There is no fasting required. Although for a female it is helpful if there is information provided to the doctor on the start date and end date of the last menstrual period.

• The patient's last menstrual period and trimester of pregnancy should be noted.
• No Fasting Required.
• No other special preparations required.

Specimen type: Serum (Blood Sample)

Specimen collection procedure: Venipuncture Collection of blood from a vein, usually from the arm.