Progesterone
A hormone produced after ovulation that prepares the uterus for pregnancy.
| Typical reference range (male) | below 1.4 ng/mL |
Ranges vary by laboratory, method, age and sex: always use the range printed on your own report. Why labs differ.
What it measures
Progesterone is produced mainly by the corpus luteum after ovulation, by the placenta during pregnancy, and in small amounts by the adrenal glands.
Why it matters
A mid-luteal progesterone level (about 7 days before the expected period) confirms ovulation; values above ~3 ng/mL indicate ovulation has occurred. It is also monitored in fertility treatment and early pregnancy.
What a high result can mean
High levels are normal in the luteal phase and pregnancy, and can occur with progesterone supplementation, ovarian cysts and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
What a low result can mean
Low luteal-phase levels suggest absent ovulation (anovulation), as in PCOS, perimenopause, hypothalamic amenorrhea or thyroid disorders.
What affects the result
Female levels vary greatly by cycle phase (below 1 ng/mL in the follicular phase, roughly 5-20 ng/mL mid-luteal), so record the cycle day. Oral micronized progesterone yields variable blood levels.
Units and conversion
Usually reported in ng/mL.
- From nmol/L: multiply by 0.315 to get ng/mL
- From ng/dL: multiply by 0.01 to get ng/mL
Also called on lab reports
Progesterone, Serum, Progesterone, LC/MS
Related tests: Sex Hormones
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.