Workshop 13

Progesterone results are uninterpretable: discuss!

Dr Jonathan Middle

This workshop will discuss the findings of the recent UK NEQAS interpretative survey in which participants were asked to interpret a progesterone result of about 24 nmol/L in the context of establishing ovulation had occurred.

The results of the survey were alarming and suggested that any interpretation was possible from a wide range of numerical values and methodology used.

Discussions will include results of the latest UK NEQAS ID-GCMS targeting exercise (poster submitted) which provides information on the trueness of progesterone methods.

Attending Delegates should read/bring with them the RCOG guidelines for the investigation of the infertile couple in respect of what various concentrations of progesterone 'mean'. See www.rcog.org.uk/guidelines.asp?PageID=108&GuidelineID=25

They will be provided with summaries of the UK NEQAS survey data and ID-GCMS exercise report. Because this is a narrowboat workshop, there will be no visual aids.