Clinical Significance:
17-Hydroxy Progesterone is a steroid derived primarily from enzymatic metabolism of Progesterone and 17-Hydroxy Pregnenolone. It is converted enzymatically to Androstenedione and 11-Deoxycortisol. It is produced in both the gonads and adrenal glands. It is excreted into the urine in conjugated and unconjugated forms of 17-Hydroxy Progesterone and as Pregnanetriol. It is stimulated by ACTH and suppressed by Dexamethasone. Levels of 17-Hydroxy Progesterone are greatly increased in patients with Polycystic Ovarian Disease and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and show exaggerated responses to ACTH in these cases. 17-Hydroxy Progesterone is the marker steroid for determining cases of 21a-Hydroxylase Deficient Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Levels are frequently elevated in patients with idiopathic hirsutism.
Reference Ranges:
Male: 25 – 200 ng/dl
Female:
Follicular: 15 – 70 ng/dl
Luteal: 35 – 300 ng/dl
Procedure:
17-Hydroxy Progesterone is measured by radioimmunoassay following extraction of specimens.
Patient Preparation:
Patient should not be on any Corticosteroid, ACTH, Estrogen, or Gonadotropin medications, if possible, for at least 48 hours prior to collection of specimen.
Specimen Collection:
3 ml serum or EDTA plasma should be collected and separated as soon as possible. Minimum specimen size is 1 ml.
Special Specimens:
For tumor/tissue and various fluids (i.e. CSF, peritoneal, synovial, etc.) contact the Institute for requirements and special handling.
Shipping Instructions:
Ship specimens frozen in dry ice.
References:
1. E Carmina and RA Lobo. Pituitary-Adrenal Responses to Corticotropin-Releasing Factor in Late Onset 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency. Fertility and Sterility 54: 79-83, 1990.
2. SM Atherton, ND Barnes, and DB Grant. Circadian Variation in Plasma 17-Hydroxyprogesterone in Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Archives of Disease in Children 47: 602, 1972