PROGESTERONE  

Any other names for a progesterone test? 

  
serum progesterone test; progesterone blood test; PGSN 
  

What is progesterone? 

  
Progesterone is a hormone generated by the ovaries, two egg-containing glands in the female reproductive system that are crucial for pregnancy. The adrenal glands and the ovaries also produce this hormone at lower levels. 
 

What is the purpose of progesterone? 

 
Progesterone is a hormone. The purpose of progesterone is to help women prepare their bodies for pregnancy. It works together with several other female hormones. 
 

What is a progesterone lab test? 

  
A progesterone test determines how much progesterone is present in your blood. Low progesterone levels, which lead to female infertility, can be identified with this test. The test helps determine adrenal gland issues that might be the reason for high progesterone levels in both males and females. 
  

What is the use of the progesterone test?  

  
A progesterone test is used to check;  

• Cause of infertility in women.  
• Check how the fertility treatment is performing  
• Miscarriage  
• To Identify an ectopic pregnancy, which is a fertilized egg that tries to grow outside of the uterus.  
• To examine the condition of a high-risk pregnancy.  
• To Identify ovarian cancer and adrenal gland issues. 

 

What does a progesterone test measure?  

 
This test determines the progesterone level in your blood.  
Progesterone prepares your uterus for pregnancy each month. An ovary produces an egg during a regular menstrual cycle, and your progesterone levels start to rise. Progesterone thickens the uterine lining, allowing a fertilized egg to connect (implant) inside the uterus and mature into a baby. 
 

Why do I need this test?

 
You might need a progesterone test in case;

• You're having difficulty becoming pregnant. Your doctor can use a progesterone test to determine whether or not your ovaries are ovulating (releasing eggs) on regular basis.
• You are dealing with abnormal bleeding when not pregnant.
•  A fertility treatment is going on.
• You're undergoing progesterone therapy to avoid miscarriage.
• You are pregnant and have signs of miscarriage.
• If your doctor wants to check your state, you might have a chance of pregnancy complications or miscarriage.
• You are showing symptoms of ectopic pregnancy.
• You are dealing with bleeding or cramps.

 

Why do doctors ask for this test? 

 
A progesterone test helps the doctor to find out about pregnancy complications. The test is used to identify whether you are at a high risk of miscarriage when pregnant. It enables the doctor to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when fertilized eggs implant outside the womb. The doctor also checks to see if you are ovulating and when. To keep track of high-risk pregnancies by assessing placenta and fetal health, a doctor may ask for this test.
 

How is this test performed?

 
Your healthcare professional will take a sample of blood from the vein of your arm. A tiny needle goes in, and a small amount of blood is taken into a test tube. 
 

What happens after this test?

 
Your healthcare provider will wrap a bandage around the area where the needle went to stop the bleeding.
 

How long a progesterone test takes?

 

This test takes less than five minutes.
 

Is any risk linked to this test?

 
There is a small risk to this blood test. You might feel a pinch of pain and bruise from the area the needle went.
 

How should I prepare for this test?

No special preparation is required for a progesterone test. In a few cases, you might need to remember the first day of your last menstrual period. Your healthcare professionals will let you know in case you need to stop taking any medicine before the test. 
 
What do the results mean? 
 
The doctor will compare your test results with the Normal reference value. In case the results are outside of the reference range. The doctor will then identify your condition or illness. 

Depending on the menstrual cycle's stage:

• starting point: 0.02 to 1 ng/mL
• Ovulation's second half: 2–30 ng/mL

Progesterone levels during pregnancy:

The results can be different from laboratory to laboratory. As a general guide, progesterone levels during pregnancy can range from:

• During the first trimester, 8 to 48 ng/mL 
• During the second trimester, 29 to 50 ng/mL 
• Third-trimester range: 99 to 342 

 

What does a high progesterone level mean? 

 
A high progesterone level is not always a sign of health problems. Progesterone levels rise during pregnancy and are even more in multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.). 
High levels might be a sign of a molar pregnancy, which means tissues have an abnormal growth in the uterus. It is caused by a fertilized egg with major genetic defects that prevent it from developing into a baby. The growth must be removed since it may develop into cancer. 
When you're not pregnant, high progesterone levels could be related to, 

• A cyst on your ovaries 
• Ovarian cancer 
• Adrenal gland problems include adrenal gland cancer or an inherited disorder called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). 

Higher than expected progesterone levels when you are pregnant  

• may mean you're having two or more babies. 

What do low progesterone levels?

Progesterone levels increase and decrease throughout the menstrual cycle. Ensure that your levels match the present stage of your menstrual cycle.

When not pregnant low progesterone levels related to:

abnormal ovulation
being menstrually inactive (amenorrhea)

When pregnant low progesterone levels related to:

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Death of Fetal
• Toxemia (blood poisoning and high blood pressure) in late pregnancy

 
You will receive more details about the results of your tests and your condition from your healthcare professional. Book your lab test now visit Umbrella Health Care Systems.
 

Do I need to know anything else about a progesterone test?

 
Progesterone is a hormone that both men and women produce. However, because it is mostly made in the ovaries, women tend to have more of it.
Progesterone levels vary throughout the pregnancy and menstrual cycle. You may need to test for progesterone several times.

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