Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (0.25 mL serum minimum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 8-10 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Superior accuracy: LC/MS-MS technology eliminates cross-reactivity issues common with traditional immunoassays
- Minimal sample needed: Requires only 0.25 mL serum for precise hormone measurement
- Comprehensive insights: Measures the "mother hormone" that creates all other steroid hormones
- Direct access: No physician referral required for this advanced diagnostic technology
- Rare disorder detection: Identifies uncommon forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia missed by standard tests
- Therapy monitoring: Tracks effectiveness of hormone replacement treatments with exceptional precision
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or cognitive decline
- People with suspected adrenal gland disorders or hormone imbalances
- Those with family history of congenital adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal insufficiency
- Individuals monitoring hormone replacement therapy effectiveness
- People with fertility concerns or menstrual irregularities
- Those experiencing chronic stress, depression, or anxiety symptoms
- Individuals with autoimmune disorders affecting hormone production
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online – No appointment needed; purchase your test and receive lab requisition
- Visit lab – Get your blood drawn at any of 2,000+ locations nationwide
- Get results – Receive physician-reviewed results securely online within 8-10 business days
FAQ
What makes LC/MS-MS different from regular hormone tests? LC/MS-MS provides superior accuracy with less than 5% variability compared to traditional immunoassays that can have 20-30% cross-reactivity issues.
Do I need to fast before this test? No special preparation is required, though you should inform your healthcare provider about current medications that might affect hormone levels.
Can this test detect rare adrenal disorders? Yes, pregnenolone testing identifies uncommon forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia that standard 17-hydroxyprogesterone screening might miss.
How often should I retest pregnenolone levels? Frequency depends on your situation – quarterly for active hormone therapy monitoring, annually for general health maintenance.
What if my results are abnormal? Abnormal results warrant consultation with an endocrinologist for further evaluation, which may include additional hormone testing or genetic analysis.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Pregnenolone Blood Test measures levels of pregnenolone, often called the "mother hormone" because it serves as the precursor to all other steroid hormones including progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol (PMC 2020). Using advanced liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) technology, this test provides exceptional accuracy in diagnosing complex endocrine disorders.
Pregnenolone is synthesized primarily by the adrenal glands but also produced by the liver, brain, skin, and gonads (Walk-In Lab 2025). The LC/MS-MS methodology offers superior specificity compared to traditional immunoassays, with detection limits ranging from 0.005 ng/mL to 1 ng/mL and excellent reliability with apparent recoveries between 86.4% and 115.0% (PMC 2020).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test proves particularly valuable for individuals experiencing unexplained fatigue, cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, or fertility issues (Walk-In Lab 2025). Primary beneficiaries include those with suspected adrenal disorders, as primary adrenal insufficiency affects approximately 100-140 cases per million people (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2016).
The test is especially crucial for diagnosing rare forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), which occurs in approximately 1 in 14,000 to 1 in 18,000 births (Nicholson Institute 2019). While 21-hydroxylase deficiency accounts for 95% of CAH cases, pregnenolone testing identifies the remaining 5% involving 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency and 17-α-hydroxylase deficiency.
When should I order this test?
Consider ordering this test when experiencing unexplained hormonal symptoms, suspected adrenal insufficiency, or fertility concerns (Walk-In Lab 2025). The test proves valuable when monitoring hormone replacement therapy effectiveness or when other CAH screening tests yield inconclusive results.
Timing considerations include avoiding testing during acute illness or stress, as these conditions can temporarily alter hormone levels (Mayo Clinic Labs 2019). Women should note their menstrual cycle phase for optimal result interpretation.
How do I interpret the results?
Results are reported in ng/mL or ng/dL units with age and gender-specific reference ranges (Labcorp 2025). Clinical correlation with symptoms and additional testing may be necessary for definitive diagnosis.
Elevated levels:
- May indicate 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency or 17-α-hydroxylase deficiency.
- Typical action: Endocrinologist consultation, genetic testing consideration.
Normal levels:
- Helps rule out certain forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
- Typical action: Consider other diagnostic tests if symptoms persist.
Low levels:
- May suggest lipoid adrenal hyperplasia or general adrenal insufficiency.
- Typical action: ACTH stimulation test, comprehensive steroid profiling.
Recent research indicates pregnenolone supplementation (300-500mg daily) achieves sustained elevated plasma levels with strong correlations between dosing and plasma concentrations (PMC 2024).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special fasting or dietary restrictions are required for pregnenolone testing (Walk-In Lab 2025). However, inform your healthcare provider about current medications, particularly steroid medications, hormonal contraceptives, or supplements that might affect steroid hormone levels.
Blood collection requires standard venipuncture using serum separator tubes. After collection, samples must be centrifuged and serum separated within 2 hours to prevent degradation (ARUP Labs 2025). Pregnenolone degrades rapidly at refrigerator temperature, requiring immediate freezing after separation.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your clinical situation and treatment status. Regular monitoring may be required for patients undergoing hormone replacement therapy or those with diagnosed adrenal disorders (Endocrine Society 2016).
- Active hormone replacement therapy: Every 3-6 months
- Diagnosed adrenal disorders: Every 6-12 months
- General wellness monitoring: Annually
- Fertility treatment monitoring: As directed by specialist
Why early detection matters
Early detection of adrenal disorders and hormonal imbalances can prevent serious complications and improve quality of life. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, if undiagnosed, can lead to severe salt-wasting crises, fertility issues, and growth abnormalities (Endocrine Society 2016).
Recent clinical studies demonstrate that pregnenolone treatment shows clinically meaningful reductions in chronic pain conditions, with significant improvements observed in pain intensity ratings after 4 weeks of treatment (JAMA Network Open 2020). Early intervention enables timely hormone replacement therapy and prevents progressive endocrine dysfunction.
Related tests you may consider
17-Hydroxyprogesterone Blood Test, LC/MS-MS – This foundational screening test for congenital adrenal hyperplasia pairs excellently with pregnenolone testing to provide comprehensive evaluation of steroid synthesis pathways (Nichols Institute 2019).
Sex Steroid Metabolites Profile, Dried Urine—ZRT Test Kit – A broader sex steroid hormone panel measuring 32 different steroids plus creatinine simultaneously providing complete steroid metabolome analysis with superior diagnostic accuracy.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Blood Test – Measuring ACTH levels provides insight into pituitary function and helps evaluate adrenal gland activity. It is essential for assessing conditions such as adrenal insufficiency, Cushing’s syndrome, and pituitary disorders (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2016).
