Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Serum
- EDTA Plasma
- Li Hep Plasma
Sample Processing in Laboratory
Usual
Sample Preparation
Centrifuge specimen
Turnaround Time
1 DaySample Stability
Serum specimens in gel tubes are stable at 4ºC for 2 days, plain tubes are stable for up to 5 days. For longer periods store aliquots at -20ºC.
Progesterone
General Information
Progesterone is a steroid hormone, which plays an important role in the preparation for the maintenance of pregnancy. Progesterone is mainly formed in the cells of the corpus luteum and during pregnancy in the placenta. The progesterone concentration correlates with the development and regression of the corpus luteum.
Progesterone levels are characteristically low during the follicular phase and increase sharply during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle. 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. Unless pregnancy occurs, a steep decline to follicular levels sets in about 4 days before the next menstrual period. This pattern constitutes the rational behind the well-established use of serum progesterone measurements as a simple and reliable method for ovulation detection. Progesterone measurement is also used to help diagnose an ectopic or failing pregnancy, to monitor the health during pregnancy, and to help diagnose the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding
Patient Preparation
None
Notes
Sodium citrate and sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate plasma may also be used.
Reference Range
Males: 0.32 - 0.64 nmol/L
Females:
0.32 - 0.95 nmol/L(follicular)
3.8 - 50.6 nmol/L(luteal)
0.32- 0.64 nmol/L(Post-Menopausal)
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
-
EQA Status:
NEQAS and WEQAS
Link to Further Information
http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/progesterone/tab/glanceCopyright heftpathology 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
HTA licence number is 12366
Protection of Personal Information – Laboratory Medicine comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.
The Trust Laboratories at Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital were awarded UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accreditation to the internationally recognised ISO 15189 standard in May 2015. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the test database https://heftpathology.site/frontpage/test-database.html.
Tests not appearing on this scope are either under consideration or in the process of accreditation and so currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.
For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 424 1235
