Serum Progesterone Concentration (Mass)
This test measures the amount of progesterone, a hormone produced mainly by the ovaries, in your blood serum. Progesterone plays a key role in regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancy.
["Progesterone levels help assess fertility, ovulation, and pregnancy readiness."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 47189-6
- Short code
- Progest BS SerPl-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Progest BS SerPl-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Might This Test Be Ordered?
Your healthcare provider may recommend this test to evaluate hormonal health, diagnose fertility issues, check for conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or monitor pregnancy-related hormone changes. It can also help diagnose hormonal imbalances or evaluate symptoms like irregular periods or missed periods.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the test if your lab requires it. Wear comfortable clothing and plan to stay for about 15 minutes while a blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm.
What Happens During the Test?
A healthcare professional will clean the area on your arm with an antiseptic solution. A small needle will be inserted to draw blood into a test tube. You may feel a slight pinch, but the procedure typically takes only a few minutes. The blood sample is then sent to a lab for analysis.
What Are Possible Results?
Results are reported as a mass concentration (measured in nanograms per milliliter, ng/mL). Your results will be reviewed by a healthcare provider to interpret their meaning in the context of your overall health and medical history.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Progesterone levels can indicate ovulation timing, help diagnose hormonal disorders, or assess pregnancy viability. Low levels may suggest issues like ovarian dysfunction or PCOS, while elevated levels could be seen in conditions like ovarian cysts or certain tumors. Always discuss results with your provider for personalized insights.
Short name
Serum Progesterone
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get my results?
Can I eat or drink before this test?
Does this test affect my menstrual cycle?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy