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Hormones

Progesterone: what the hormone does after ovulation and how the result is read per cycle phase

According to the NVKC, the Dutch Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, progesterone is a hormone made mainly in the ovaries, and during pregnancy in large amounts in the placenta. After ovulation the body makes progesterone to prepare the lining of the womb for the implantation of a possible fertilised egg.

According to the NVKC, progesterone follows a fixed pattern in the cycle, with a peak in the second half, the luteal phase; if it does not rise and fall according to that pattern, that can mean there has been no ovulation or no period. Only a blood test shows how much progesterone is in the blood.

For the luteal phase, the laboratories give widely different lower limits: 3.8 nmol/l at Unilabs, 5.82 nmol/l at Star-SHL, 10.6 nmol/l at Diagnostiek voor U and 13.1 nmol/l in Certe's notes.

Turnaround 24 hours, estimate Turnaround: up to 24 hours after your blood draw (estimate).

Progesterone is a hormone made mainly in the ovaries after ovulation, which prepares the lining of the womb for a fertilised egg. The normal value depends on the cycle phase and differs widely between laboratories: the lower limit in the luteal phase, the second half of the cycle after ovulation, is 3.8 nmol/l at Unilabs, 5.82 at Star-SHL, 10.6 at Diagnostiek voor U and 13.1 at Certe.

  • According to the NVKC, a progesterone result that fits the luteal phase is a sign that ovulation has taken place.
  • The UK NICE guideline advises measuring progesterone midway through the second half of the cycle: on day 21 of a 28-day cycle, and later in a longer cycle.
  • In men progesterone is low; Unilabs uses up to 1.6 nmol/l.

Reference Ranges

See the value that applies to you:

Choose male or female — this range differs by sex.

Enter your age — this range changes with age.

This range also depends on context such as cycle phase or sample material; the highlighted rows apply to your group.

Your reference range
nmol/l
0,18 46,3 nmol/l
Reference ranges by group, in nmol/l
Male < 0,47 nmol/l
0,47
Female · Follicular < 0,62 nmol/l
0,62
Female · Ovulatory 0,18–13,2 nmol/l
0,18 13,2
Female · Luteal 13,1–46,3 nmol/l
13,1 46,3
Female · Postmenopausal < 0,4 nmol/l
0,4
0,18 46,3 nmol/l

Package-insert value: 5th-95th percentile per subgroup (n = 147 men; 142 postmenopausal; 85 follicular; 81 ovulation; 85 luteal). Values below the detection limit of the test (0.159 nmol/l) are reported as "< 0.159"; in men, postmenopausal women and the follicular phase the 5th percentile lies below that, so there is no lower limit. The timing of the draw determines the result: a mid-luteal progesterone measurement belongs about 7 days before the expected period (cycle length minus 7 days), not on a fixed day 21. In a 35-day cycle, day 21 is still follicular. Just before the period, progesterone falls again. A hormone reference value is assay-specific; these values apply to the Roche Elecsys method.

Source: Roche Diagnostics Reference population: Roche reference cohort (Elecsys Progesterone III package insert)

Reference values can vary between laboratories. Discuss your results with your GP for explanation and treatment decisions.

Progesterone: what Dutch laboratories use

Reference ranges by group, in nmol/l
Star-shl · Female · follicular phase 0.181–2.840 nmol/l
0.181 2.84
Star-shl · Female · ovulatory phase 0.385–38.100 nmol/l
0.385 38.1
Star-shl · Female · luteal phase 5.82–75.90 nmol/l
5.82 75.9
Star-shl · Female · a limit, not a range · after menopause < 0.401 nmol/l
0.401
Unilabs · Female · 14 years and older · follicular phase 0–1 nmol/l
0 1
Unilabs · Female · 14 years and older · luteal phase 3.8–50.6 nmol/l
3.8 50.6
Unilabs · Female · 14 years and older · after menopause 0.0–0.6 nmol/l
0 0.6
Unilabs · Male 0.0–1.6 nmol/l
0 1.6
Certe · Female · a limit, not a range · follicular phase < 0.62 nmol/L
0.62
Certe · Female · ovulatory phase 0.18–13.20 nmol/L
0.18 13.2
Certe · Female · luteal phase 13.1–46.3 nmol/L
13.1 46.3
Certe · Female · 50 years and older 0.1–0.5 nmol/L
0.1 0.5
Certe · Male · 12 years and older 0.2–0.6 nmol/L
0.2 0.6
Diagnostiek voor U · Female · a limit, not a range · follicular phase < 4.5 nmol/L
4.5
Diagnostiek voor U · Female · luteal phase 10.6–81.0 nmol/L
10.6 81
Diagnostiek voor U · Female · a limit, not a range · after menopause < 2.3 nmol/L
2.3
0 89.1 nmol/l

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Certe

Source: Diagnostiek voor U

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

Progesterone: what this test measures

The progesterone test measures the concentration of progesterone in serum or plasma in nanomoles per litre (nmol/l). Star-SHL measures with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and Unilabs with a competitive immunoassay, and according to the NVKC values can differ from laboratory to laboratory.

Progesterone: why this value matters

According to the NVKC, progesterone is measured to establish ovulation in women and to detect a possible ectopic pregnancy or early miscarriage in pregnant women. According to the NVKC, a result that fits the values of the luteal phase is an indication that ovulation has taken place.

Progesterone: how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Results
Turnaround: up to 24 hours after your blood draw (estimate).
Which test
Pregnancy blood test · €99,- · Women's hormone test · €129,-
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Progesterone: how to prepare

  1. Do you have a cycle? Pick the right day

    Required

    If you have a menstrual cycle, have the draw 7 days before your next expected period; if that cycle is irregular, repeat weekly until your period starts. Without a cycle, any day works.

  • Water is always fine. Drink as usual beforehand, it makes the draw easier.
  • Take your usual medication, unless your own doctor told you otherwise.

Progesterone: when is testing worthwhile?

According to the UK NICE guideline, progesterone is measured in a fertility investigation midway through the second half of the cycle: on day 21 of a 28-day cycle. With a longer cycle the measurement in a fertility investigation may need to be done later, according to NICE, for example on day 28 of a 35-day cycle, and then weekly until the next period starts.

Progesterone: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

According to the NVKC, a low progesterone in the luteal phase can mean that there has been no ovulation. After menopause progesterone is low: Star-SHL then gives less than 0.401 nmol/l and Unilabs 0.0 to 0.6 nmol/l.

High Levels

A high progesterone occurs in the luteal phase and during pregnancy: according to the NVKC, progesterone rises to 50 to 1440 nmol/l in pregnancy, with extra strong rises in a multiple pregnancy. In rare cases, according to the NVKC, the test is requested with other tests to detect defects in the production of steroid hormones.

Progesterone: causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

  • No ovulation

    If progesterone does not rise and fall through the cycle in the normal pattern, this can mean there has been no ovulation, no menstruation, or both.

  • Heavy exercise, underweight or overweight

    The chance of ovulation can be lower with very heavy exercise, rapid weight loss, being underweight or being overweight, and without ovulation progesterone stays low in the second half of the cycle.

  • Blood taken on another cycle day

    Progesterone measured before the second half of the cycle is lower than the luteal-phase value; the UK NICE guideline advises measuring midway through the second half, on day 21 of a 28-day cycle and later in a longer cycle, for example on day 28 of a 35-day cycle.

  • After menopause

    After menopause progesterone is low; Star-SHL then uses below 0.401 nmol/l.

  • An early pregnancy that is not progressing

    If progesterone does not rise enough in early pregnancy, this can be an extra sign of an ectopic pregnancy or an early miscarriage.

What raises the value

  • After ovulation

    Progesterone follows a fixed pattern through the cycle, peaking in the second half, the luteal phase, after ovulation.

  • Pregnancy

    During pregnancy progesterone rises and lies between 50 and 1440 nmol/l, with especially strong rises in a multiple pregnancy.

  • Progesterone given as medicine

    Progesterone given as a medicine, for example vaginally during fertility treatment, is measured in the blood.

Progesterone: lifestyle and this value

A progesterone result is one to discuss with your GP, together with the cycle day on which the blood was drawn. According to Thuisarts, stress, very hard exercise, heavy work, losing a lot of weight quickly, weighing too little and overweight can reduce the chance of ovulation.

Progesterone: frequently asked questions

Does a normal progesterone value prove that ovulation took place?

The NVKC calls a progesterone result that fits the luteal values an indication that ovulation has occurred. According to the NVKC, ovulation is demonstrated when progesterone exceeds a certain concentration at any point in the second half of the cycle, a limit that is usually around 40 to 50 nmol/l.

Does the normal value of progesterone differ per laboratory?

Yes, the normal value of progesterone differs per laboratory, and according to the NVKC other units can also be used. As an ovulatory value, Unilabs for example names 15 nmol/l, adding that this value can be used.

What does progesterone do in pregnancy?

According to the NVKC, progesterone rises during pregnancy, and later in pregnancy it is mainly the placenta that makes it. According to the NVKC, an insufficient rise in early pregnancy can be an extra indication of an ectopic pregnancy or an early miscarriage.

Progesterone: sources

  1. Roche Diagnostics. Elecsys Progesterone III, Method Sheet 07027699500 V 9.0, 2024-10 (CE). Material 07027699190 (cobas e 402 / e 801). Verwachte waarden: 5e-95e percentiel ("based on a central 90 % interval"). (retrieved 2026) elabdoc-prod.roche.com
  2. Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
  3. Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
  4. Certe, Bepalingenwijzer (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl
  5. Diagnostiek voor U, eLabgids (Referentiewaarden DvU), diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu
  6. NVKC, Alles over testen: Progesteron, allesovertesten.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-06 (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl
  7. NHG, Thuisarts.nl: Ik wil onderzoeken waarom ik nog niet zwanger ben, geraadpleegd 2026-10-06 (retrieved 2026) thuisarts.nl
  8. NICE guideline NG257, Fertility problems: assessment and treatment, published 31 March 2026, consulted 2026-10-06. (retrieved 2026) nice.org.uk
  9. Gao H, et al. Strengthened luteal phase support for patients with low serum progesterone on the day of frozen embryo transfer in artificial endometrial preparation cycles. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021;19:60. (retrieved 2026) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Test Products

This marker is included in the following test panels.

Results without a doctor's assessment

You receive your values with the unit and reference range. A doctor's assessment is not part of this site. Discuss your results with your GP for explanation and treatment decisions.

Progesterone

€34,-