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Progesterone (17-Hydroxy)

Alternate test name

17OHP, 17 OH P and 17 OH Progesterone, 17-Hydroxyprogesterone

Lab area
Clinical Biochemistry - Special
Method and equipment
LC-MS/MS
Expected turn-around time
14 days
Specimen type

500 uL Serum or Plasma

Specimen requirements
  • Collect 1mL whole blood, spin, separate and freeze (-20oC)
  • Specimens collected on an SST tube should be separated within 90 minutes of receipt.
  • Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage and transportation

Frozen

Shipping information
The Hospital for Sick Children
Rapid Response Laboratory
555 University Avenue, Room 3642
Toronto, ON
Canada
M5G 1X8
Phone: 416-813-7200
Toll Free: 1-855-381-3212
Hours: 7 days/week, 24 hours/day
Background and clinical significance

17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone is a twenty-one carbon steroid produced primarily in the adrenals, and some are found in the ovaries, testes and placenta. It serves as a biosynthetic precursor to cortisol. Its measurement is of value in the diagnosis and management of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hirsutism and infertility. In the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, deficiency of the enzyme 21-hydroxylase blocks normal synthesis of cortisol, leading to a compensatory increase of ACTH secretion. This results in adrenal hyperplasia with increased levels of 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone, DHEA and other adrenal steriods. Untreated congenital adrenal hyperplasia in newborns is usually associated with low cortisol and markedly elevated 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone levels ranging from 10 to 400 times the upper limit of normal. Some late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia may present modestly elevated basal 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone levels and an ACTH stimulation may be required to differentiate it from the polycystic ovary syndrome.

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