What does the Progesterone - PROG blood test mean? Get a free analysis of your blood test now. Here's what you get with our free analysis:
Progesterone is a hormone primarily produced by the ovaries in women and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands in both sexes. It plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and fetal development. This test measures the level of progesterone in the blood, which can help evaluate ovarian function, detect pregnancy, monitor pregnancy health, diagnose causes of infertility, and assess the risk of miscarriage. In non-pregnant women, progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, with higher levels during the luteal phase. During pregnancy, progesterone levels rise significantly to support fetal development and maintain the pregnancy.
Low progesterone levels may indicate:
In non-pregnant women, low levels may suggest menstrual irregularities or infertility. In men, low levels are generally not clinically significant but may indicate hypogonadism or adrenal insufficiency in rare cases.
High progesterone levels may indicate:
In non-pregnant women, high levels may suggest luteal cysts or, rarely, ovarian cancer. In men, elevated progesterone is uncommon but may indicate adrenal tumors or certain testicular tumors. It’s important to interpret results in context with other clinical findings and tests.