Laboratory Services

17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Serum

Print this page

Updated Test Information:

Test Description
17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Serum
Synonym(s)

17 Alphahydroxyprogesterone; 17 Hydroxy Progesterone, Serum; Hydroxyprogesterone; Progesterone, 17-Hydroxy

Test ID
OHPG
General Information

Useful for:



  • The analysis of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHPG) is 1 of the 3 analytes along with cortisol and androstenedione, that constitutes the best screening test for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), caused by either 11- or 21-hydroxylase deficiency

  • Analysis for 17-OHPG is also useful as part of a battery of tests to evaluate females with hirsutism or infertility; both can result from adult-onset CAH

  • See Steroid Pathways for additional information

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Requirements

Red top tube

Minimum Sample Volume

0.25 mL

Required Information

Indicate patient's age and sex

Stability

  • Refrigerated (preferred): 14 days

  • Frozen: 28 days

  • Ambient: 7 days

Unacceptable Specimen Conditions

  • Gross hemolysis

  • Gross lipemia

  • Serum Gel (SST)

Limitations

At birth the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis are activated and adrenal and sex steroid levels are high. In preterm infants the elevations can be even more pronounced due to illness and stress. As a result, preterm infants may occasionally have 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels of up to 1,000 ng/dL. Term infants (0-28 days) will have levels <630 ng/dL. These then fall over the following 1 to 6 months to prepubertal levels of <110 ng/dL (males) and <100 ng/dL (females).

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Estimated TAT

2-5 days

Testing Schedule

Monday-Friday

CPT Code(s)

83498

Reference Range

 

Demographic Males (ng/dL) Females (ng/dL)
Preterm infants May exceed 630; rarely ≥1000
Term infants (0-28 days) < 630*
Prepubertal < 110 < 100
Adult < 220 Follicular: < 80
Luteal: < 285
Postmenopausal: < 51

*Levels fall from newborn to prepubertal gradually within 6 months.

Performing Lab

Mayo

LOINC Code(s)

1668-3

Additional Information