Progesterone
Definition
- Natural steroid hormone that induces secretory changes in endometrium, promotes mammary gland development, relaxes uterine smooth muscles, blocks follicular maturation, and maintains pregnancy. Hormone synthesized by the ovary; low in follicular phase but increases to 10 " 40 mg/day during luteal phase and ≤300 mg/day if pregnancy occurs.
- Normal range: see Table 16.68.
TABLE 16 " 68Normal Ranges of ProgesteroneView LargeTABLE 16 " 68Normal Ranges of Progesterone Reference Group n Mean (ng/mL) Range (ng/mL) Male 50 0.36 0.14 " 2.06 Female Midfollicular phase 14 0.69 0.31 " 1.52 Midluteal phase 13 11.42 5.16 " 18.56 Postmenopausal 49 0.25 <0.08 " 0.78 Pregnancy " First trimester 34 22.17 4.73 " 50.74 " Second trimester 29 29.73 19.41 " 45.30
Use
- Detection of ovulation in the evaluation of the function of the corpus luteum
- Monitoring patients having ovulation during induction with hCG, human menopausal gonadotropin, FSH/LH-releasing hormone, or clomiphene
- To evaluate patients at risk for early abortion
Interpretation
Increased In
- Luteal phase of menstrual cycle
- Luteal cysts of the ovary; ovarian tumors (e.g., arrhenoblastoma)
- Adrenal tumors
- CAH caused by 21-hydroxylase, 17-hydroxylase, and 11-beta hydroxylase
- Molar pregnancy
Decreased In
- Amenorrhea
- Threatened abortion (some patients)
- Fetal death
- Toxemia of pregnancy
- Gonadal agenesis