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Test Code Billings Clinic: 4065 Progesterone, Plasma or Serum

Important Note

The supplement dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may cause falsely elevated progesterone results in immunoassays. At an initial concentration of progesterone of 0.70 ng/mL (2.23 nmol/L), a 211% change in concentration was observed at the supraphysiologic level of DHEAS (DHEA metabolite) of 20,000 ng/mL.

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Chemistry

Useful For

  • Ascertaining whether ovulation occurred in a menstrual cycle
  • Evaluation of placental function in pregnancy
  • Workup of some patients with adrenal or testicular tumors

Methodology

Direct Chemiluminescence

Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.

 

Plasma

  • Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s).
  • Spin down and send 1.0 mL of heparinized plasma frozen.
  • Do not leave plasma sitting on the gel.

 

Serum

  • Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube(s) or a serum gel tube(s).
  • Spin down and send 1.0 mL of serum frozen.
  • Do not leave serum sitting on the gel.

Storage/Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma, Serum Refrigerated 2 days
  Frozen (preferred) 1month
  Ambient 8 hours

 

Reject Due To

  • Specimens received in the original gel barrier tube
  • Specimens with greater than 1 freeze / thaw cycle
  • Gross hemolysis
  • Gross lipemia
  • Gross icterus

Reference Values

Males: 0.28 - 1.22 ng/mL

 

Nonpregnant Pubertal Females:

Follicular Phase: 0.00 - 1.40 ng/mL

Luteal: 3.34 - 25.56 ng/mL

Mid-luteal: 4.44 - 28.03 ng/mL

 

Pregnant Females:

First Trimester: 11.22 - 90.00 ng/mL

Second Trimester: 25.55 - 89.40 ng/mL

Third Trimester: 48.40 - 422.50 ng/mL

 

Post Menopausal: 0.00 - 0.73 ng/mL

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

84144 - Progesterone

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
Progesterone 2839-9