PROGESTERONE

Adult Males : 

• 0.28 – 1.22 ng/dl

Adult Females –

Ovulatory cycles

• Follicular Phase : 0.15 – 1.40 ng/dl
• Luteal Phase : 3.34 – 25.56 ng/dl
• Midluteal : 4.44 – 28.03 ng/dl
• Postmenopausal females : ND - 0.73 ng/dl 

Pregnant Females

• First trimester : 11.22 – 90.00 ng/dl
• Second trimester : 25.55 – 89.40 ng/dl
• Third trimester : 48.40 – 422.50 ng/dl

Paediatric normal range

• 12 -20 yrs : 5 -180 ng/dl

• Progesterone is one of the steroid hormones. In conjunction with estrogens, it regulates the reproductive tract functions during the menstrual cycle. It is secreted by the corpus luteum and by the placenta and is responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy and, if pregnancy occurs, maintaining it until birth
• Progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum occurs after ovulation and it continues the preparation of the endometrium for a possible pregnancy, Inhibits contraction of uterus and Inhibits development of a new follicle.
• If pregnancy does not occur, secretion wanes toward the end of the menstrual cycle, and menstruation begins. If pregnancy does occur, the placenta begins to secrete progesterone, which supplements that of the corpus luteum. In fact, by the fifth month of pregnancy, the placenta secretes sufficient progesterone by itself that the corpus luteum is no longer essential to maintain pregnancy
• Minor Sources of Progesterone are the adrenal cortex in men and women and the Testes in Men. Progesterone levels reaches maximum concentration 4-7 days after ovulation and in third trimester of pregnancy
• Progesterone test may be used to check the effectiveness of ovulation induction, to confirm ovulation and normal luteal function in non-pregnant woman
• In cases of suspected infertility or habitual abortion evaluating progesterone levels along with FSH, LH, and estradiol enable ovulation and luteal phase to be determined
• Progesterone levels are also used for early detection of ectopic and abnormal intrauterine pregnancies

• When symptoms such as abdominal pain and spotting, suggest an ectopic pregnancy or threatened miscarriage
• To determine when ovulation has occurred and following drug therapy to induce ovulation
• Abnormal uterine bleeding in non pregnant woman

• Luteal phase of menstrual cycle
• Luteal cysts of the ovary
• Ovarian tumours
• Adrenal tumours
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

• Amenorrhoea
• Foetal death
• Threatened abortion
• Toxaemia of pregnancy
• Gonadal agenesis
• Ectopic Pregnancy