Progesterone levels vary depending on when the test is done. Blood progesterone levels start to rise midway through the menstrual cycle, continue to rise for about 6 to 10 days, and then fall if fertilization does not result.

Levels continue to rise in early pregnancy.

This following are normal ranges based upon certain phases of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy:

• Female (pre-ovulation): less than 1 ng/mL
• Female (mid-cycle): 5 to 20 ng/mL
• Male: less than 1 ng/mL
• Postmenopausal: less than 1 ng/mL
• Pregnancy 1st trimester: 11.2-90.0 ng/mL
• Pregnancy 2nd trimester: 25.6-89.4 ng/mL
• Pregnancy 3rd trimester: 48.4-42.5 ng/mL

Note: ng/mL = nanograms per milliliter

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Higher-than-normal levels may be due to:

• Pregnancy
• Adrenal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Lower-than-normal levels are associated with:

• Amenorrhea
• Fetal death
• Threatened abortion
• Toxemia of pregnancy

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Infertility