17-OHP is produced by the adrenal gland as part of the process of making the important hormone cortisol.
What are the adrenal glands?
These are two small glands. One is located on top of each kidney. Along with special enzymes, or proteins, 17-OH progesterone is converted to a hormone called cortisol.
Function of cortisol:
Cortisol is constantly released in varying amounts, but high levels are released during times of physical or emotional stress. Cortisol is also important in regulating metabolism and the immune system.
Cause and effect of Process interruption:
A cortisol deficiency can occur in people who lack the appropriate enzymes, which can lead to a buildup of 17-OH progesterone in the blood.
Several enzymes are required for this process. If a person is born with either not enough of one of these enzymes or an abnormal form of an enzyme, their adrenal gland cannot produce cortisol efficiently. Depending on which enzyme is abnormal, another important hormone, aldosterone may also be affected. In such cases, 17-OHP builds up. Some of the excess 17-OHP is used up by making male hormones (androgens). Excess androgens can cause the development of male sexual characteristics, in both females and young males.
These inherited enzyme deficiencies and the resulting excess androgens occur in a group of disorders called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
More on CAH?
CAH can occur in both boys and girls. Young children with CAH may have ambiguous genitalia, pubic hair, or acne. The condition can also develop later in life in less obvious ways. Some common symptoms include clearly defined muscle tone, increased body hair, and a deeper voice.
In infants, CAH can sometimes cause dehydration or shock, both of which are very serious conditions. As a result, the 17-OH progesterone test should be part of every newborn’s initial medical examination.
Most cases of CAH are caused by a lack of the enzyme 21-hydroxylase. In more severe forms of CAH, the condition becomes evident in infancy or childhood, while milder forms, known as late-onset or non-classical CAH, may not become evident until later in life, including adulthood.
When to perform a 17-OH progesterone test?
A doctor will usually order a 17-OH progesterone test for a young child, teenager, or adult who displays some of the classic symptoms of CAH. The sooner a person with CAH is diagnosed and treated, the less likely they are to experience complications.
Interpretation of the test results?
The results of a 17-OH progesterone test depend on many variables, including age, sex, and testing methods. This can make it difficult to identify normal and abnormal test results. Make sure to meet with the doctor to discuss what the 17-OH progesterone test results mean for you or your child.
In general, normal results for various age groups include:
References
Keeping track of your medical data and laboratory results while understanding what they mean empowers positive health outcomes.
Keeping track of your medical data and lab results while understanding what they mean empowers positive health outcomes.
Save 10% off any plan with promo-code:
HEALTH10
What do high levels mean?
High levels of 17-OH progesterone in the blood may indicate CAH. Infants with CAH tend to have 17-OH progesterone levels ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 ng/dL, while adults with CAH usually have 17-OH progesterone levels above 200 ng/dL.
High 17-OH progesterone levels could also indicate the presence of an adrenal tumor, which can also affect hormone levels. Further testing may be required to determine the specific cause of increased CAH levels.
Sign up
Sign up now and create your account. Use code HEALTH10 for a 10% discount on any plan. Don't miss out!
Organize
Bring all results from any laboratories to your account. You can enter your tests yourself, or we'll be happy to organize your files—whether in PDF, JPEG, CSV, or even screenshots.
Learn and improve
Once your information is stored in your account, dive into a wealth of insights about your results. If you have any more questions, we are here to answer them.
Understanding 17-OH Progesterone:
- What is 17-OH Progesterone? 17-OH Progesterone, or 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands and the ovaries. It's a precursor in the synthesis of cortisol and androgenic hormones. Its levels can provide valuable information about the functioning of these glands and the body's hormone balance.
- Why is it Important? The measurement of 17-OH Progesterone is crucial for diagnosing and managing conditions related to adrenal and ovarian function. One of the most common reasons for testing 17-OH Progesterone levels is to diagnose congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a group of genetic disorders affecting the adrenal glands. These disorders can lead to abnormalities in cortisol and androgen levels, affecting growth, development, and metabolism.
Reference intervals for adult females:
Follicular: 15 - 70 ng/dl
Luteal: 35 - 290 ng/dl
17-OH Progesterone and female cycles:
The levels of 17-OH Progesterone in females can vary significantly depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, reflecting the complex interplay of hormones that regulate menstrual and reproductive functions. During the follicular phase, which occurs from the start of menstruation until ovulation (roughly days 1-14 of a typical 28-day cycle), levels of 17-OH Progesterone are generally lower. This is because this phase is characterized by the maturation of follicles in the ovaries, leading up to the release of an egg. In contrast, during the luteal phase, which follows ovulation and lasts until the onset of menstruation (approximately days 15-28 of the cycle), levels of 17-OH Progesterone increase significantly. This rise is due to the formation of the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure that secretes progesterone to prepare the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, leading to a decrease in progesterone and 17-OH Progesterone levels, eventually resulting in menstruation. Understanding these fluctuations is crucial for interpreting the results of hormone tests accurately and can provide valuable insights into a woman's ovulatory status and overall reproductive health.
What do low levels mean?
Decreased levels of 17-OH Progesterone can provide important clues about a person's health status, though it's crucial to interpret these levels within the broader context of other test results and clinical symptoms. Let's explore what decreased levels might indicate and why they're significant:
→ Adrenal Insufficiency
One of the primary concerns when 17-OH Progesterone levels are low is adrenal insufficiency, a condition where the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones, including cortisol and aldosterone. This condition can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin.
→ Ovarian Factors
For women, low levels of 17-OH Progesterone might also reflect issues related to ovarian function. Since the ovaries produce this hormone as part of the menstrual cycle, significantly low levels could indicate potential problems with ovulation or ovarian reserve. However, it's essential to correlate these levels with other hormone tests and clinical findings for a comprehensive understanding.
→ Impact on Fertility
In the context of fertility, decreased 17-OH Progesterone levels might suggest insufficient corpus luteum function. The corpus luteum is responsible for producing progesterone in the second half of the menstrual cycle, essential for preparing the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. Low levels could therefore impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Other Considerations:
→ Non-Classical Adrenal Hyperplasia: While much attention is given to elevated levels of 17-OH Progesterone in diagnosing conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), significantly low levels, particularly when symptoms of adrenal dysfunction are present, warrant further investigation to rule out other forms of adrenal pathology.
→ Age and Phase of Menstrual Cycle: It's important to note that normal ranges for 17-OH Progesterone can vary based on age and, in females, the phase of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, what might be considered low in one context could be normal in another.
Decreased 17-OH Progesterone levels should always be interpreted within the broader context of a patient's overall health, symptoms, and other laboratory findings. A comprehensive evaluation, often involving additional tests and clinical assessment, is necessary to understand the implications fully.
While decreased levels of 17-OH Progesterone can hint at various health issues, including adrenal insufficiency and potential reproductive concerns, diagnosing and understanding the implications of these levels require a holistic approach to patient care. If low levels are detected, further evaluation by a healthcare provider is crucial to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management strategy.
Guiding our user for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
$15/month
for personal lab results
Cancel your subscription at any time.
$250/once
full premium version
$45/month
track your clients’ labs
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Guiding our user for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
Personal plans
track personal results
Professional Plan
track multiple client's results
$15/month
for personal lab results
$250/once
own it for life
$45/month
for health professionals
Complete Plan
Unlimited Plan
$15 per month
$250 full version
Are you a health professional?
Level up your lab report analysis with our Pro plan, built for health practitioners like you.
Health Business Account
$45/month
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Unlock additional Pro plans when you sign up.
Unlock Your Health Journey with Healthmatters.io! Ever wished for a one-stop digital health haven for all your lab tests? Look no further! Healthmatters.io is your personalized health dashboard, bringing together test reports from any lab. Say goodbye to scattered results—organize and centralize your lab data effortlessly. Dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data.
Join the community of thousands who've transformed the way they understand their lab results. Experience the joy of having all your lab data neatly organized, regardless of where or when the tests were done.
For our professional users, Healthmatters.io is a game-changer. Revel in the intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history. It's not just a dashboard; it's your gateway to a smarter, more informed health journey!
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we do talk about popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too. It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters. We can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
Still on the hunt for a specific biomarker? Just tell us, and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account!
There are two ways to add your test reports to your healthmatters.io account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you. We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.
Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.
For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.
You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Unlocking the insights from your lab tests has never been this intuitive! We've crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into a treasure trove of testing data.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewGet a quick grasp of your test reports in minutes! Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Experience the power of clear, organized data visualization with Healthmatters.io — your key to understanding and taking charge of your health journey!
Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional or business account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
17-Hydroxypregnenolone, MS (female), 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (female), 17-OH Progesterone, 5 Alhpa-Dihydrotestosterone (male), ACTH, Plasma, ADH, Aldos/Renin Ratio, Aldosterone, Aldosterone/Plasma Renin Activity Ratio, Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), C-Telopeptide, Serum, Calcitonin, Serum, Cortisol - ACTH (Cortrosyn) Stimulation Test, Cortisol - AM (Serum), Cortisol, Serum, Cortisol-Binding Globulin (CBG), DHEA, Unconjugated, DHEA-S : Cortisol Ratio, DHEAS (Serum), DHT, Free, DHT, Percent Free Dialysis, Estradiol, Estradiol (male), Estradiol, Ultrasensitive, LC/MS, Estriol, Serum, Estrogens, Total (female), Estrogens, Total (male), Estrone Sulfate, Estrone, Serum (Female), Estrone, Serum (Male), Free Cortisol, Serum, Free Estradiol, Percent, Free Estradiol, Serum, Glucagon, Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Growth Hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), Total, IA-2 Autoantibodies, IGF Binding Protein 1 (IGFBP 1), IGF Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP 3), IGF-BP3, Leptin, Luteinizing Hormone, Human (hLH), Pregnenolone (male), Progesterone (male), Progesterone (Serum), Prolactin, Renin Activity, Plasma, Total Testosterone (Female/ng/mL)