Progesterone Blood Test, Immunoassay

Progesterone is a type of steroid hormone which is regularly secreted as a cyclical hormone which helps to prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy. This hormone causes the building up of the uterine lining in order for a zygote to implant in the wall. It also maintains the pregnancy for the full 9 months. It is secreted by the corpus luteum in the ovary for the first few weeks after pregnancy, after which point the placenta takes over the roles. This progesterone lab test measures the blood levels of progesterone in the blood primarily to aid in the diagnosis of infertility in women.

This test is commonly ordered when a woman is having difficulty conceiving.  It can also be done when a pregnant woman is experiencing symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.  Progesterone can also be monitored in women who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy to maintain a pregnancy.

This progesterone lab test is performed in following conditions such as:

• During an infertility assessment
• To determine when ovulation has occurred
• Abdominal pain and spotting, suggesting an ectopic pregnancy or threatened miscarriage
• If receiving progesterone replacement therapy
• When a non-pregnant woman is experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding