Progesterone (Plasma / Serum)

Diagnostic Use

Determination of progesterone in human serum or plasma may help in the evaluation and assessment of the luteal phase.

Department

Endocrinology Lab

Delphic Registration Code

PRGR

Synonyms

P4 (Plasma/Serum)
Prog (Plasma/Serum)

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test Code

8364

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Light Green Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Light Green Cap)
• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

No of Samples Required

1

Additional Specimen Information

Serum or plasma stability;
Ambient 24hrs
Chilled (2-8 deg) 5 days
Frozen 6 months

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.5

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

West Coast: If specimen is unable to be separated, take blood on SST/PST and send chilled to Greymouth Lab. At Greymouth Lab freeze serum/plasma for transport to CHL.

Interpretation

Progesterone is the hormone secreted by the corpus luteum. It prepares the endometrium to receive the fertilized ovum and is necessary to maintain early pregnancy. Maximum progesterone occurs approximately 7 days post ovulation ie the routine measurement of this hormone can be used as a clinical indication of ovulatory status. Normally day 21

Reference Intervals

Luteal phase 15- 100 nmol/L

Follicular phase 1-4 nmol/L

Post menopausal <4 nmol/L

Test Method

ECLIA. Roche Cobas e411.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$27.61 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

8364

For results please contact Canterbury Health Laboratories ph. 03 364 0300.

Contact Information

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