Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries and placenta of a human female. This hormone is responsible for the preparation of the uterus lining to dock an egg when it is fertilized by sperm. When fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels drop and menstrual bleeding starts. Progesterone is also a good indicator of pregnancy, since it increases over 10 times during pregnancy. Is it also an indicator for bleeding in the uterus. It's important to learn interpret your progesterone blood test.
Instructions
1. Obtain your laboratory report. Search for the word "progesterone." If it is inside the normal range, then it means you are ovulating and are ready to attempt to get pregnant. The normal range for pre-ovulation phase is less than 1 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) and 5 to 20 ng/mL for mid-cycle phase.
2. Look for irregularities in your other laboratory tests aside from progesterone. These are all connected and will determine the normal or abnormality of the progesterone values. If all the tests are outside normal range, then there is an error. This means your blood test needs to be repeated. Bring the results back to your physician.
3. Look at the results and determine if your progesterone levels are abnormally high. High levels indicate a false pregnancy or adrenal gland dysfunction. Overuse of supplements such as vitamin C can cause an abnormally high count. If you suspect you've taken an excess of vitamin C, you may have to return to your physician to retake the progesterone test.
4. Determine if your progesterone levels are very low. Abnormally low levels of progesterone indicate ovulation problems or a possible miscarriage. It can also cause insomnia and extreme mood changes. Do consult your physician if you discover that your progesterone levels are too low.
5. Search for the hormone "estrogen" in your laboratory report. Normally, the values of estrogen and progesterone are always balanced. It will be difficult to conceive if one is higher than the other. Fluctuating results can also mean that you have hormonal imbalance which can lead to constant fainting. Contact your physician if you find an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone.
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