17-Hydroxy-progesterone (synonyms: 17-OH-progesterone; 17-OHP) is a hormone from the group of progestins (progestins are steroids; the most important representatives are pregnandiol, progesterone, and pregnenolone).
17-Hydroxy-progesterone is produced in the adrenal gland and the gonads (gonads or sex glands; in men, the testes/testes; in women, the ovaries/ovaries). It represents an intermediate in the synthesis of several hormones (cortisol, estrogen, testosterone).
The process
Material needed
- Blood serum
Preparation of the patient
- Not necessary
Disruptive factors
- Not known
Indications
- Suspected 21-hydroxylase deficiency (adrenogenital syndrome; AGS).
Normal values
| Phase | Normal value in ng/dl | |
| Women | Follicular phase | 20-100 |
| Luteal phase | 100-400 | |
| Postmenopause | < 200 | |
| Men | 30-330 | |
| Children | Umbilical cord blood | 900-5.000 |
| Premature | < 600 | |
| Perinatal phase | 200-1.000 | |
| Newborn (3rd day of life) | < 77 | |
| 2nd-7th year of life | < 50 | |
| 7-12 years of age | 10-140 |
The concentration of 17-hydroxy-progesterone varies during the day. Maximum values are measured between 0 and 8 am.
Interpretation
Interpretation of elevated values
- Adrenogenital syndrome (AGS; 21-hydroxylase deficiency) – autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder characterized by disorders of hormone synthesis in the adrenal cortex. These disorders lead to deficiency of aldosterone and cortisol. Overstimulation of the adrenal cortex (NNR) leads to increased activation of metabolic by-products and production of precursors (e.g. pregnenolone, progesterone). Cortisol deficiency leads to compensatory stimulation of the entire adrenal gland by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This results in androgenization (masculinization) in girls and pubertas praecox (premature sexual development) in boys. Aldosterone deficiency leads to disturbances in electrolyte balance (salt balance) with fluid loss.
Interpretation of lowered values
- No data