Progesterone

745

1 mL serum

0.5 mL

Please note: Do not order progesterone testing to a barrier gel specimen older than 72 hours. Progesterone binds to barrier gel causing decreased values.

DHEA supplementation causes a false elevation of values in this standard immunoassay method for progesterone. Physicians using progesterone levels as a criterion for triggering ovulation in an IVF cycle in patients supplemented with DHEA should assess progesterone levels using LC/MSMS Progesterone Assay, such as test code 17183 performed at Quest Diagnostics San Juan Capistrano.

Plastic screw-cap vial

Room temperature

Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

Serum stored on barrier gel for more than 72 hours

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: Next day

Heterophil antibodies may produce falsely-elevated results.

Male	<1.4 ng/mL
Female
Follicular Phase	<1.0 ng/mL
Luteal Phase	2.6-21.5 ng/mL
Postmenopausal	<0.5 ng/mL
Pregnancy
First Trimester	4.1-34.0 ng/mL
Second Trimester	24.0-76.0 ng/mL
Third Trimester	52.0-302.0 ng/mL

Children (<18 years old): Progesterone reference ranges established on post-pubertal patient population. Reference range not established for pre-pubertal patients using this assay. For pre-pubertal patients, the Nichols progesterone, LC/MS/MS assay is recommended (test code 17183).

Levels increase sharply during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The level increases from 9 to 32 weeks of pregnancy.