Progesterone blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Progesterone is a hormone made mainly by the corpus luteum, the structure left behind in the ovary after an egg is released. It thickens and stabilises the lining of the womb in the second half of the cycle. If pregnancy does not happen, progesterone falls and a period follows. Smaller amounts are made by the adrenal glands in both women and men.

Because progesterone rises sharply only after ovulation, a blood test taken at the right point in the cycle is a simple way to check whether ovulation has taken place. This is why the NHS commonly uses a mid-luteal progesterone test when people are trying to conceive.

Your price includes the sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request. No GP referral is needed.

Who it is for

• You are trying to conceive and want to check that you are ovulating.
• You have irregular cycles, spotting before your period or a short second half of your cycle.
• You have symptoms you think may relate to hormone changes and want a clearer picture.
• You use progesterone as part of HRT or fertility treatment and your practitioner wants a level.
• Your GP or practitioner has suggested a day 21 test as part of a fertility assessment.

Understanding your result

A progesterone level is only meaningful when the timing of the sample is known. A clearly raised result about seven days before your next period suggests ovulation has occurred. A low result at that time may mean ovulation did not happen in that cycle, or that the sample was taken too early or too late, which is common when cycles are irregular. One low result is often repeated in a later cycle. After the menopause, and in men, progesterone is normally low.

Your report shows the laboratory reference range for each phase of the cycle. A result outside the range is a prompt for discussion with your practitioner, not a diagnosis.

Preparing for your test

No fasting is needed. Timing is the most important step: take the test about seven days before you expect your next period. In a 28-day cycle this is day 21, counting the first day of bleeding as day 1; in a 35-day cycle it would be around day 28. Let us know if you use the contraceptive pill, HRT or fertility medicines, as these change progesterone, and pause biotin supplements for two days beforehand.

Progesterone is part of the Fertility Panel, which also covers LH, FSH, oestradiol and general health markers, and of the Hormone Health Check. You can also view every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a progesterone blood test in Chiswick?

A progesterone test costs £49. That includes the sample at our clinic, laboratory analysis, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

Do I have to test on day 21?

Only if your cycle is 28 days long. The aim is to test about seven days before your next period, so the day shifts with your cycle length.

What if my periods are irregular?

Timing is harder, and a single result may miss ovulation. Your practitioner may suggest repeat tests or a broader fertility panel.

Can progesterone confirm pregnancy?

No. A pregnancy test measures hCG. If you might be pregnant and have pain or bleeding, contact your GP, NHS 111 or an early pregnancy unit.