Prevotella spp. is known for its ability to degrade complex plant polysaccharides (carbohydrates) and fiber.

Prevotella spp. is known for its ability to degrade complex plant polysaccharides (carbohydrates) and fiber.

High Prevotella:Bacteroides ratios are associated with lower BMI and reduced incidence of chronic, inflammatory disease. Low Prevotella:Bacteroides ratios are associated with metabolic imbalances and are positively correlated with high intake of protein and animal fat as typical for a Western diet. Higher abundance of Prevotella is observed in individuals that consume diets rich in carbohydrates and fiber. Bacteroides is increased by sugar and saturated fat intake, while Prevotella generally thrives on fiber rich foods, like fruit, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Levels of Prevotella tend to decrease with age.

Procalcitonin is a marker of significant interest in the medical field, particularly when it comes to diagnosing and managing infections. Produced in response to a bacterial infection, procalcitonin levels in the blood can help doctors determine the severity of an infection or sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection. Unlike other markers that may rise in various conditions, procalcitonin is relatively specific to bacterial infections, making it a valuable tool for clinicians. When a patient presents symptoms of an infection, measuring procalcitonin levels can aid in deciding whether antibiotics are needed, as elevated levels are often indicative of a bacterial cause. On the other hand, low levels of procalcitonin might suggest a viral infection or another non-bacterial cause, potentially guiding a clinician away from unnecessary antibiotic use.

The "Production Markers" on the Boston Heart Cholesterol Balance® test provide crucial insights into the body's cholesterol synthesis. This test measures key precursors such as lathosterol and desmosterol, which are indicative of the primary pathways through which cholesterol is produced. Approximately 80% of in vivo cholesterol production occurs via the major pathway involving lathosterol, while the remaining 20% utilizes the pathway associated with desmosterol. By evaluating these markers, the test offers a detailed view of cholesterol biosynthesis, allowing healthcare providers to understand better and manage patients' cholesterol levels. This information is pivotal in tailoring treatment strategies, particularly in predicting and optimizing responses to lipid-lowering therapies such as statins and ezetimibe.

Products of Protein Breakdown, which includes isovalerate, valerate and isobutyrate are produced by bacterial fermentation of proteinaceous material (polypeptides and amino acids) in the distal colon.

Products of Protein Breakdown (Total) is a set of markers of undigested protein reaching the colon.

Prodynorphin is an opioid that is a basic building block of endorphins.

Progesterone – NutriStat Hormone Health Panel
Progesterone is a key hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle, supports fertility, and balances estrogen levels—especially in women. It's primarily produced by the ovaries after ovulation and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands in both sexes. In pregnancy, progesterone levels naturally rise to support fetal development.

On the NutriStat Hormone Health Panel, progesterone is measured to assess overall hormone balance.

What Do Slightly Elevated Levels Mean?

In Women (non-pregnant):
Slightly high progesterone levels may occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation, or if you're taking hormone therapy or certain supplements. In rare cases, elevations may be linked to ovarian cysts or adrenal gland issues.

In Men:
Men produce low levels of progesterone to support sperm development and testosterone regulation. Slight elevations can result from adrenal overactivity, testicular conditions, or use of progesterone creams/supplements.

Key Takeaway:

While low progesterone is more commonly associated with symptoms like irregular periods or mood changes, slightly elevated levels aren’t always cause for concern. Context matters—such as where you are in your cycle (for women), medication use, or overall hormone patterns. Always review your results with a healthcare provider to determine what’s normal for your body and whether further evaluation is needed.

Progesterone is important for normal reproductive and menstrual function, and influences the health of bone, blood vessels, heart, brain, skin, and many other tissues and organs. As a precursor, progesterone is used by the body to make other steroid hormones, including DHEA, cortisol, estrogen and testosterone. In addition, progesterone plays an important role in mood, blood sugar balance, libido, and thyroid function, as well as adrenal gland health.

Although Progesterone is found in both males and females, it is primarily known for its role in conception, pregnancy, and the regulation of a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Progesterone is present in men but at a much lower level than found in premenopausal women. Progesterone is not only a female hormone. Although in females it is responsible for protecting the unborn child from rejection during pregnancy, progesterone performs various other functions in both men and women. Progesterone is the precursor to other hormones, including testosterone, the sex hormone that emphasizes male characteristics.

Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum following ovulation and to a lesser extent by the adrenal glands in both sexes. While found in the urine in small amounts, progesterone can be seen as a clinical marker of luteal activity and theraputic oral progesterone administration.

Progesterone is a female sex hormone of primary importance in ovulation, fertility and menopause. It is particularly important in preparing the endometrium for the implantation of the blastocyte and in maintaining pregnancy. In the follicular phase of menstrual cycle progesterone is produced in low levels. It increases to the LH peak and then sharply rises to high levels. Next there is a sharp decline to low levels of follicular phase. In non-pregnant women progesterone is mainly secreted by the corpus luteum whereas in pregnancy the placenta becomes the major source. Minor sources for progesterone are the adrenal cortex for both sexes and the testes for males.

Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum following ovulation and to a lesser extent by the adrenal glands in both sexes. While found in the urine in small amounts, progesterone can be seen as a clinical marker of luteul activity and theraputic oral progesterone administration. The most important progesterone metabolite, pregnanediol (PDL), can serve as a urinary marker for endogenous progesterone levels and as an indicator of ovulation.

Progesterone is manufactured in the ovaries at about 10-30 mg of progesterone each day during the latter half of the menstrual cycle (luteal phase). Younger women with regular cycles generally make adequate progesterone, consistent with their having fewer symptoms of estrogen excess. Progesterone is important in normal menstrual cycles, breast development, maintaining pregnancy, relaxing blood vessels and influencing neurotransmitters in the brain.

Progesterone plays an important role in preparing the uterus for pregnancy. Levels of progesterone rise with pregnancy, and rise even higher if there are twins. Imbalances of progesterone are linked with health challenges in both men and women.

Progesterone’s primary function during the menstrual cycle is to induce a secretory endometrium ready for implantation of a fertilized egg. Levels therefore increase during the luteal phase of the cycle after ovulation. If no implantation occurs, progesterone returns to follicular phase levels.

Progesterone’s primary function during the menstrual cycle is to induce a secretory endometrium ready for implantation of a fertilized egg.

Levels therefore increase during the luteal phase of the cycle after ovulation.

If no implantation occurs, progesterone returns to follicular phase levels. If a pregnancy results, progesterone continues to rise to very high levels and carries out a variety of functions necessary to sustain the pregnancy.

In some patients with infertility, ovulation may occur but luteal phase levels of progesterone are inadequate. Luteal phase deficiency is a result of inadequate progesterone production by the corpus luteum.

During menopause, ovarian progesterone production dwindles, resulting in postmenopausal levels similar to those seen in men.

Progesterone has wide-ranging physiological effects, including neuroprotection, maintenance of skin elasticity, and development of bone tissue. Progesterone also counteracts the proliferative effects of estrogen on the endometrium. When samples are collected after transdermal application of progesterone, saliva progesterone levels are higher than serum, indicating distribution of progesterone to tissues.