17-Hydroxyprogesterone Blood Test, LC/MS-MS
A 17-hydroxyprogesterone blood test, LC/MS-MS is used to screen for, detect, and monitor treatment for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH); sometimes to help rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
Description
Markedly elevated in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia; evaluate hirsutism or infertility; assess or rule out certain adrenal or ovarian tumors with endocrine activity.
This test may sometimes be ordered in older children or adults when the milder form of CAH (late-onset) is suspected. The 17-OHP test may also be conducted when a female is experiencing symptoms, possibly due to CAH or 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.