Pregnanediol is a metabolite of the molecule of progesterone, which is important for fertility and for menstruation. Pregnanediol levels increase after ovulation and when the placenta releases the hormone.
When pregnanediol levels fall during a menstrual cycle, it means that progesterone levels are less than ideal. It results in symptoms during the luteal phase.
During the adaptation of the body to menopause, progesterone levels fall and estrogen dominance begins. That’s when progesterone supplements may be offered to manage the symptoms. Some of the symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood instability, low sex drive, sleep problems, brain fog, hair loss, loss of muscle mass and strength, weight gain and anxiety.
Various normal ranges*:
*the Luteal Range is the premenopausal range. When patients are taking oral progesterone this range for progesterone metabolites is not luteal and reflects the higher levels expected when patients take oral progesterone. This test is intended to be taken in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (days 19-22 of a 28 day cycle) for premenopausal women.
Sources:
You can have low levels of pregnanediol as well as high levels.
Low levels of pregnanediol are associated with any of the following:
- Breast or ovarian cancer
- Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
- When a mother is carrying a baby that is dead
- When the placenta fails
- When menstruation stops
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety and stress
- Edema or swelling in the body
Understand and improve your laboratory results with our health dashboard.
Upload your lab reports and get interpretation today.
Our technology helps to understand, combine, track, organize, and act on your medical lab test results.
Generally high progesterone levels indicate you are high for the luteal phase.
High progesterone metabolites can occur with progesterone or pregnenolone supplementation.
It can also occur with stress as the adrenals release more progesterone during stress, although ovarian production will exceed adrenal production with ovulation.
High progesterone is also seen in PCOS when ovulation occurs because of excessive luteinizing hormone secretion. Some women may naturally make high levels of progesterone and, if symptom free, it is usually not concerning. Symptoms of high progesterone may include bloating, fatigue and food cravings, especially high calorie foods.
-----
Important note: the Luteal Range is the premenopausal range. When you are taking oral progesterone this range for progesterone metabolites is not luteal and reflects the higher levels expected when people take oral progesterone.
The Oral Progesterone (100mg) - Range is 2000-9000 ng/mg
Interpret Your Lab Results
Upload your lab report and we’ll interpret and provide you with recomendations today.
Get StartedGet Started With Our Personal Plan
Advanced Plan
Unlimited Plan
Are You a Health Professional?
Get started with our professional plan
Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.
Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more
Pro Plan
for health professionals
$45 per month
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.