17 Oh Progesterone Test

The 17-OH Progesterone Test is a simple blood test that measures the levels of 17-OH progesterone in the body. This test is used to diagnose and monitor certain conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and to evaluate fertility in women.

The hormone 17-hydroxyprogesterone is a building block for producing the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is produced mainly by the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the two adrenal glands above the kidneys). Cortisol is called the “stress hormone” because it's secreted in large amounts as part of the body's response to physical or emotional stress.

Why 17 oh progesterone Blood Test Advise by Doctor?

The body doesn't make enough of a substance that helps it make the stress hormone cortisol. This test is mainly to check infants for an inherited disorder that affects the adrenal gland, called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH).

It is often performed on adults to rule out any hormonal issues, especially in women to rule out cases of PCOS. Also, infants who are born with outer genitals that do not clearly look like those of a boy or a girl. Women who have excess hair growth in places where adult men grow hair or are found to have any male characteristics, such as a deep voice or an increase in muscle mass.

Why you have to do the 17-hydroxyprogesterone test?

17 OH Progesterone is needed if there are common signs and symptoms like “salt-wasting" - dehydration, vomiting, listlessness; ambiguous genitalia in female infants; precociousness or failure of puberty, and ovulation/menstrual irregularity; and virilization.

If there are other high progesterone symptoms like weight gain, drowsiness, depression, dizziness, discomfort on legs, and libido problems.

There are no risks. Usual blood test side effects may occur in very rare cases.