17-OH progesterone

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17-OH progesterone

Definition:

17-OH progesterone is a blood test that measures the amount of 17-OH progesterone.

Alternative Names:

17-hydroxyprogesterone; Progesterone - 17-OH

How the test is performed:

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic. An elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the vein to swell with blood.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children: The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. A bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any bleeding.

After the blood has been drawn, it is sent to a laboratory to be evaluated.

How to prepare for the test:

The health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test. These include corticosteroids and birth control pills. The health care provider may advise that the test be performed at a specific time of day, because this can affect the test results.

How the test will feel:

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, you may feel moderate pain, or only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may some throbbing.

Why the test is performed:

This test is used primarily to identify patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). CAH is a rare genetic disorder that results from a deficiency of a particular enzyme that normally makes cortisol in the adrenal gland. This deficiency results in abnormal levels of certain steroids and hormones, specifically increasing androgens (male hormones) and decreasing glucocorticoids.

Review Date: 5/23/2005
Reviewed By: Sharon Rosanne Thompson, M.D., M.P.H., Clinical Fellow, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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