Progesterone Test
A progesterone test measures progesterone, a hormone the ovaries produce that rises and falls across the menstrual cycle. Because its level depends heavily on when in the cycle a sample is drawn, timing is often relevant, and a clinician usually guides when to test.
About this test
Progesterone is one of the hormones the ovaries release as part of the monthly cycle. After the ovary releases an egg, progesterone typically rises during the second half of the cycle, then falls if pregnancy does not occur.
The progesterone test is done with a simple blood draw at a patient service center. A phlebotomist collects a sample from a vein, usually in the arm, and the sample goes to the laboratory.
Who might consider this test?
- Often looking into questions about their menstrual cycle
- A broader hormonal picture
- Sometimes as part of a conversation about reproductive planning
Test details
| Quest code | 745 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Immunoassay |
| Sample type | 1 mL serum |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
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Additional details
What this test looks at
Progesterone reflects a specific phase of the menstrual cycle. It generally stays low in the first half of the cycle and rises in the second half after an egg is released, which is why a single reading only makes sense when a clinician knows where in the cycle it was drawn.
That cycle dependence is the most important thing to understand about this test. The same person can produce very different progesterone readings at different points in the same month, all of them expected, so the result is meaningful only in the context of timing rather than as a number on its own.
Why cycle timing matters
Because progesterone rises and falls predictably across the cycle, the day a sample is drawn strongly shapes what the result reflects. A reading drawn at one point tells a clinician something different than the same test drawn at another point, so a clinician usually guides the timing rather than leaving it to chance.
This is different from a marker like AMH, which stays relatively steady across the cycle. For progesterone, sharing where you are in your cycle — and mentioning any hormonal contraception you use — helps a clinician interpret the result correctly.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does a progesterone test measure?
It measures progesterone, a hormone the ovaries release that rises and falls across the menstrual cycle. Because its level depends on the cycle phase, the result is meaningful mainly in the context of when the sample was drawn.
Why does the timing of a progesterone test matter?
Progesterone stays low in the first half of the cycle and rises in the second half, so the day a sample is drawn strongly shapes the result. A clinician usually guides the timing so the reading carries the intended meaning.
How is the sample collected?
Through a routine blood draw at a patient service center. A phlebotomist takes a small sample from a vein in the arm and sends it to the laboratory for analysis.
Should I tell my clinician where I am in my cycle?
Yes. Sharing your cycle day, and any hormonal contraception you use, helps a clinician interpret a progesterone result correctly, since the hormone changes predictably across the cycle.
Is progesterone tested with other hormones?
Often. Clinicians may look at progesterone together with markers like estradiol, FSH, LH, or AMH to build a fuller picture. Each reflects a different part of the cycle, and a clinician interprets them together.
What does a Progesterone test cost without insurance?
$39. Celio Health's price is a flat cash price and insurance is never billed: the required physician's order is included.