OVERVIEW
What is Progesterone?
Progesterone is a steroid hormone which, along with other female hormones, helps to prepare the female body for pregnancy and maintains a proper menstrual cycle. The Progesterone Test is performed to measure the levels of progesterone in blood.
Why is Progesterone done?
- To identify the cause of female infertility by helping track ovulation (release of egg and ovary)
- To help diagnose an ectopic pregnancy (a condition where the fertilized egg is implanted somewhere other than the uterus)
- To monitor the treatment with progesterone hormone
- To monitor the health of the fetus and placenta, especially in high-risk pregnancy.
1. How is this test performed?
This test is performed on a blood sample. A syringe with a fine needle is used to withdraw blood from a blood vessel in your arm. The healthcare provider will tie an elastic band around your arm to make the blood vessels swell with blood. This makes it easier to withdraw blood. You may be asked to tightly clench your fist. Once the veins are clearly visible, the area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution and then the needle is inserted into the blood vessel to collect the sample. You will feel a tiny pinprick during the procedure. Blood sample once collected will then be sent to the laboratory.
2. Is there any risk associated with this test?
There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.
3. Is there any preparation required before the test?
Inform the doctor about the medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before this test.
4. What factors can affect the progesterone test results?
The factors which can affect the progesterone test results are: Certain medications like
- Steroids,
- Birth control pills,
- Ampicillin,
- Clomiphene
- Recent exposure to radioactive substances, as in the case of undergoing imaging scans like Thyroid Scan or Bone scan,
- Time of day as progesterone levels fluctuate during the day.
- Phase of menstrual cycle
5. What other tests can be prescribed by your doctor in case of abnormal progesterone result?
Additional tests that may be prescribed in case of abnormal progesterone test result are:
- Estrogen Test
- hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) Test ·
- Luteinising Hormone (LH) Test.
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test ·
- Uterine Ultrasound
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS:
Normal test results
In general, normal serum progesterone test results fall in the following ranges:
- men, postmenopausal women, and women at the beginning of their menstrual cycle: 1 ng/mL or under
- women in the middle of their menstrual cycle: 5 to 20 ng/mL
- pregnant women in their first trimester:2 to 90 ng/mL
- pregnant women in their second trimester: 6 to 89.4 ng/mL
- pregnant women in their third trimester: 4 to 42.5 ng/mL
Abnormal test results
Your test results are considered abnormal if they fall outside the normal ranges. In some cases, a single abnormal test result reflects normal fluctuations in your progesterone levels.
Your progesterone levels can fluctuate a lot, even over the course of a single day. In other cases, abnormally high or low progesterone levels may be a sign of an underlying health problem.
In addition to pregnancy, high progesterone levels can be caused by:
- ovarian cancer
- adrenal cancer
- congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a group of disorders that affect your adrenal gland
Low progesterone levels can be caused by:
- lack of periods
- failure to ovulate
- ectopic pregnancy
- miscarriage
- fetal death
