Markedly elevated in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia; evaluate hirsutism and/or infertility; assess or rule out certain adrenal or ovarian tumors with endocrine activity.

This test may sometimes be ordered in older children or in adults when the milder form of CAH (late-onset) is suspected. The 17-OHP test may also be conducted when a girl or woman is experiencing symptoms that may be due to CAH or may be due to another condition, such as PCOS. Symptoms may include:

• Excess facial and body hair (hirsutism)
• Lack of or irregular menstrual periods (menses)
• Development of male secondary sex characteristics
• Infertility

Testing may be performed on boys or men when they experience:

• Early (precocious) puberty
• Infertility

When a person has been diagnosed with 21-hydroxylase deficiency, then a 17-OHP test may be ordered periodically to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.