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Progesterone

Test Number 004317
Test number copied
CPT 84144

Test Details

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)

Result Turnaround Time

Within 1 day

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Related Documents

Use

Establish the presence of a functioning corpus luteum or luteal cell function; confirm basal body temperature measurements for the occurrence of ovulation; obtain an indication of the day of ovulation; evaluate the functional state of the corpus luteum in infertility patients; assess placental function during pregnancy; ovarian function test

Special Instructions

This test may exhibit interference when sample is collected from a person who is consuming a supplement with a high dose of biotin (also termed as vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H, or coenzyme R). It is recommended to ask all patients who may be indicated for this test about biotin supplementation. Patients should be cautioned to stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to the collection of a sample.

Limitations

As with all tests containing monoclonal mouse antibodies, erroneous findings may be obtained from samples taken from patients who have been treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies or who have received them for diagnostic purposes.1 In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to streptavidin and ruthenium can occur.1 The test contains additives that minimize these effects.

Custom Additional Information

Progesterone is a steroid hormone with a molecular weight of 314.5 daltons.2 Progesterone is mainly formed in the cells of the corpus luteum and during pregnancy in the placenta. Progesterone is increased in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase, 17-hydroxylase, and 11-β-hydroxylase deficiency. Progesterone is decreased in primary or secondary hypogonadism and short luteal phase syndrome.

The progesterone concentration correlates with the development and regression of the corpus luteum. Whereas progesterone is barely detectable in the follicular phase of the female cycle, a rise in the progesterone level is observed one day prior to ovulation. Increased progesterone synthesis occurs during the luteal phase. In the second half of the cycle pregnanediol is excreted in urine as the main degradation product of progesterone.

Progesterone brings about the conversion of the uterine mucosa into a tissue rich in glands (secretion phase), in order to prepare for the intrauterine implantation of the fertilized ovum. During pregnancy, progesterone inhibits the contraction of the myometrium. In the mammary gland, progesterone (together with estrogens) promotes the proliferation and secretion disposition of the alveoli.2,3

The determination of progesterone is utilized in fertility diagnosis for the detection of ovulation and assessment of the luteal phase.3,4

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Serum (preferred) or plasma

Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.7 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)

Container

Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (lithium heparin) tube. Do not use oxalate, EDTA, or citrate plasma.

Collection Instructions

If a red-top tube or plasma is used, transfer separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube.

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

15 days

Refrigerated

15 days

Frozen

15 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3

Reference Range

See table.

Gender/Stage

Range (ng/mL)

Male

0.0−0.5

Female

follicular phase

0.1−0.9

luteal phase

1.8−23.9

ovulatory phase

0.1−12.0

Pregnant

1st trimester

11.0−44.3

2nd trimester

25.4−83.3

3rd trimester

58.7−214.0

postmenopausal

0.0−0.1

Storage Instructions

Room temperature

References

Hilborn S, Krahn J. Effect of time of exposure of serum to gel-barrier tubes on results for progesterone and some other endocrine tests. Clin Chem. 1987 Jan; 33(1):203-204. 3802491
Nippoldt TB, Reame NE, Kelch RP, Marshall JC. The roles of estradiol and progesterone in decreasing luteinizing hormone pulse frequency in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1989 Jul; 69(1):67-76. 2499593
Rebar RW. The ovaries. In: Wyngaarden JB, Smith LH Jr, eds.Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 18th ed. vol 2. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co;1988:1425-1446.
Romero R, Scoccia B, Mazor M, Wu YK, Benveniste R. Evidence for a local change in the progesterone/estrogen ratio in human parturition at term. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1988 Sep; 159(3):657-660. 2971319
Stewart MO1, Whittaker PG, Persson B, Hanson U, Lind T. A longitudinal study of circulating progesterone, oestradiol, hCG and hPL during pregnancy in type 1 diabetic mothers. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1989 Apr; 96(4):415-423. 2751954

Footnotes

1. Progesterone on Elecsys 1010/2010 and Modular Analytics E170, 2007-09, V 11 [package insert] Indianapolis, Ind: Roche Diagnostics; 2007.
2. Johnson MR, Carter G, Grint C, Lightman SL. Relationship between ovarian steroids, gonadotrophins and relaxin during the menstrual cycle. Acta Endocrinol. 1993 Aug; 129(2):121-125. 8372595
3. Runnebaum B, Rabe T. Gynäkologische Endokrinologie und Fortpflanzungsmedizin. Berlin, Germany: Springer Verlag 1994, Band 1: 36-38, 70, 116; Band 2: 137, 360, 398-399, 408-409, 422-423.
4. Guillaume J, Benjamin F, Sicuranza B, Wang CF, Garcia A, Friberg J. Maternal serum levels of estradiol, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin in ectopic pregnancy and their correlation with endometrial histologic findings. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1987 Jul; 165(1):9-12. 3589936

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
004317 Progesterone 2839-9 004317 Progesterone ng/mL 2839-9
Order Code004317
Order Code NameProgesterone
Order Loinc2839-9
Result Code004317
Result Code NameProgesterone
UofMng/mL
Result LOINC2839-9