17-Hydroxyprogesterone

Overview:

17-hydroxyprogesterone is an intermediate step in the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. When a specific enzyme in that pathway is missing or reduced, as happens in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, this intermediate builds up and the level in the blood rises. That makes it the main marker used to investigate the condition, both in newborns and in milder forms that are recognized later. It is also measured when signs of excess androgen are being investigated in women, such as irregular periods or unwanted hair growth. Levels shift through the day and across the menstrual cycle, so the timing of the sample matters.

Categories:

Hormone

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker