Lutein – production, normal levels, functions

Lutein, or rather progesterone, is an extremely important hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary and the placenta during pregnancy. In prophylaxis, lutein is used as a preventive measure in the case of pregnancy poisoning, menstrual disorders, failure of the corpus luteum or at a high risk of miscarriage. The liver is responsible for the metabolism of progesterone in the body, followed by the kidneys. More than 90% of the hormone is bound to proteins found in blood plasma.

Production of lutein

Lutein is a sex hormone present in both female and male bodies. In women, the ovaries are mainly responsible for the production of lutein, and the testes in men. Small amounts of progesterone are also produced in the adrenal glands, more precisely in their cortex, and in the central nervous system.

Normal progesterone levels during pregnancy [+/- 10ng / ml]

– 4th week – 21.6 ng / ml

– 6th week – 26.2 ng / ml

– 8th week – 25.9 ng / ml

– 10th week – 30 ng / ml

– 12th week – 33.4 ng / ml

– 14th week – 39.5 ng / ml

– 16th week – 47.8 ng / ml

– 18th week – 51.8 ng / ml

– 20th week – 55.6 ng / ml

– 22th week – 65 ng / ml

– 24th week – 72.2 ng / ml

– 26th week – 81.6 ng / ml

– 28th week – 90.4 ng / ml

– 30th week – 104.5 ng / ml

– 32th week – 118.2 ng / ml

– 34th week – 134.8 ng / ml

– 36th week – 152.3 ng / ml

– 38th week – 159.4 ng / ml

– 40th week – 166.2 ng / ml

Lutein – functions

Lutein is one of the key sex hormones. It plays, among other things, an important role in preparing a woman’s body for pregnancy – it makes the uterine wall more supplied with blood, plump and thicker, which enables the attachment of a fertilized cell.

Also after fertilization, lutein plays an important role – it inhibits uterine contractions, which reduces the risk of miscarriage. It is the decrease in its concentration in the woman’s body that signals the commencement of labor.

In addition, lutein:

  1. participates in the production of fetal metabolic hormones;
  2. is responsible for changes in the mammary glands that prepare them for milk production during lactation;
  3. stops the maturation of subsequent Graff follicles.

Lutein levels and ovulation

Lutein is also associated with the regulation of body temperature in the body. This way, by taking your temperature every morning, you can find out if ovulation has already taken place.

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