The role of single serum progesterone measurement in conjunction with βhCG in the management of suspected ectopic pregnancy

Summary

Our aim was to test the use of single serum progesterone measurement together with βhCG in the management of women with pregnancy of unknown location. This was a retrospective study of 126 patients presenting with a clinical picture suggestive of ectopic pregnancy, when ultrasound examination was inconclusive. All the patients had serum progesterone level measured by radioimmunoassay in conjunction with βhCG. The study showed that a protocol combining single serum progesterone measurement and βhCG is helpful in managing women with suspected ectopic pregnancies, when the ultrasound examination is inconclusive. High levels of progesterone are reassuring as regards ongoing viable pregnancies and low levels allow a definitive differentiation between viable and non-viable pregnancies. However, low progesterone could not efficiently differentiate between miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. The use of βhCG levels in conjunction with serum progesterone is helpful, particularly with serum progesterone levels between 16–80 nmol/l.

Keywords:

• Progesterone
• ectopic
• βhCG
• miscarriage
• viable