Progesterone (P)
About Test
Progesterone is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the corpus luteum in the ovaries after ovulation and by the placenta during pregnancy. It plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining the early stages of pregnancy.
Progesterone levels are tested to evaluate ovulation, assess the health of a pregnancy, diagnose the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding, and investigate infertility or miscarriage issues.
This blood test helps monitor reproductive health and detect hormonal imbalances or conditions affecting the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Sample Requirements
Gold SST Tube
Or
K2/3 EDTA Tube
Stability
Serum:
5 days 2-8°C
1 day 20-25°C
6 months -20°C
Turnaround Time
4 hours
Assay Interferences (+/- 10%)
Bilirubin: <= 923 umol/L or <= 54mg/dL
Hemoglobin: <= 0.621 mmol/L or <= 1000 mg/dL
Intralipid: <= 200 mg/dL
Biotin: <= 123 nmol/L or <= 30 ng/mL
Rheumatoid Factors: <= 1200 IU/mL
Visibly turbid samples give a false low result.
Medications:
No common medications are found to interfere with this assay
Only phenylbutazone at therapeutic doses interferes with this assay (depresses progesterone levels). No interference with clomiphene citrate.
Patients receiving high biotin dose therapy should wait at least 8 hours after the last dose administration before sample taking.
Reference Range (nmol/L):
Adult Male: < 3.18
Female (Follicular Phase): < 5.0
Female (Ovulatory Phase): < 5.0
Female (Luteal Phase): 3.5 - 67
Female (Post-menopausal): < 4.4
Critical Value:
Not Applicable