Progesterone

Results

A progesterone test measures the amount of the hormone progesterone in a blood sample.

Results are usually available within 24 hours.

Normal

Normal values for progesterone vary from lab to lab.

Progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle

Days 1–14:	Less than 50 nanograms per decilitre (ng/dL)	Less than 1 nanogram per millilitre (ng/mL)
Days 15–28:	300–2,500 ng/dL	3–25 ng/mL

 

Progesterone levels during pregnancy

1st trimester:	900–4,700 ng/dL	9–47 ng/mL
2nd trimester:	1,700–14,700 ng/dL	17–147 ng/mL
3rd trimester:	5,500–20,000 ng/dL	55–200 ng/mL

 

Progesterone levels after menopause

Normal:	Less than 40 ng/dL or less than 1.0 ng/mL

 

Progesterone levels in men

Normal:	3–32 ng/dL or 0.3–3.2 ng/mL

 

Many conditions can change progesterone levels. Your health professional will discuss any significant abnormal results with you in relation to your symptoms and medical history.

High values

High progesterone values may be caused by:

• Pregnancy.
• Cancer of the ovaries or adrenal glands.
• A molar pregnancy.
• Overproduction of hormones by the adrenal glands.

Low values

Low progesterone values may be caused by:

• Problems with ovulation.
• Possible miscarriage.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Carrie Henley	Last Updated: August 7, 2007
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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