Progesterone Blood Test UK

A private progesterone test

A progesterone test measures the amount of progesterone, mainly produced in the ovaries that is present within the blood.  Progesterone has a very important role in pregnancy. After ovulation it will be produced during the second phase of menstruation with its role to prepare the uterus for a fertilised egg ready for implantation.  It also has a role to play in preparing the uterus for the actual pregnancy by inhibiting contraction of the muscle of the uterus, as well as preparing the breasts to produce milk.

What is involved in a test for progesterone?

The levels of progesterone will vary during a woman’s menstruation cycle.  At first progesterone levels will be low, increasing once the ovaries have released an egg.  If there is a pregnancy then the levels of progesterone will steadily rise to prepare the body to support a foetus. If there is no pregnancy, in other words the egg has not been fertilised, then progesterone levels will fall and a menstrual period will begin.

In a pregnant woman, progesterone levels will be roughly 10 times higher than they are in a woman who is not pregnant. Men also do make progesterone but in the case of a male, it is a very much smaller quantity.  Progesterone is made in the ovaries of women, in men it is made in the testes and adrenal glands.

There are other names for this test such as a PGSN, the progesterone blood test and serum progesterone.

What should I do to prepare for my progesterone test?

When you have your test, a sample of your blood will be taken and submitted to the laboratory and you may be asked to do certain things before you come for the test. Any medicine that you are currently taking, such as the birth control pill and progesterone supplements, might alter what the result of your test.

Why would I need to have a progesterone test?

A doctor may order a progesterone test for you to:

• Identify any issue you are having with fertility
• Identify when ovulation is taking place
• Assess if you are at risk of miscarrying
• To help in monitoring a pregnancy that is considered high risk
• As a diagnostic tool to identify an ectopic pregnancy where the egg has begun to grow outside of the womb.  An egg will not be able to develop if it is not in the uterus and this is an emergency situation that can potentially be life threatening.

What happens during a progesterone test?

Blood will be taken from your arm with a small needle.  You may possibly feel some slight stinging when the needle goes in or is drawn out but the tests will take no more than five minutes.

is there anything special I need to do to prepare for my test?

No there is no special preparation required before you have your progesterone test.

Will there be any risk to be aware of with this test?

Having a blood test is associated with very little risk. You might experience mild pain or some bruising at the point where the needle has been inserted, but these symptoms will not last long at all.

What will the cost of my progesterone test be?

A progesterone blood test will cost from around £63 .