Pregnanediol, Urine Creatinine Ratio Unit Converter

Pregnanediol is the primary urinary metabolite of progesterone. Because very little progesterone itself appears in urine, the body converts it in the liver into pregnanediol, which is then excreted. Measuring pregnanediol therefore provides an indirect but reliable picture of progesterone production.

This test measures pregnanediol in a urine sample, normalized to creatinine to account for differences in urine concentration. Creatinine is excreted at a relatively steady rate, so dividing by creatinine provides a more accurate reflection of true hormone output regardless of hydration status.

Progesterone is metabolized down two pathways, producing alpha-pregnanediol (a-pregnanediol) and beta-pregnanediol (b-pregnanediol). The beta pathway is the major route, while the alpha pathway reflects metabolites that contribute to progesterone's effects on mood and sleep. Total pregnanediol typically represents the sum or average of both forms.

Urinary pregnanediol is commonly measured as part of comprehensive dried urine hormone panels such as the DUTCH test, which collects samples at multiple points throughout the day.

Progesterone is produced primarily by the corpus luteum in the ovaries after ovulation, and by the placenta during pregnancy. The adrenal glands also produce small amounts in both men and women. The liver then converts progesterone into pregnanediol, which is conjugated to glucuronic acid and excreted in the urine.