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HelpTest ID 17OHP 17-Hydroxypregnenolone, Serum
Useful For
As an ancillary test for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), particularly in situations in which a diagnosis of 21-hydroxylase and 11-hydroxylase deficiency have been ruled out
Confirming a diagnosis of 3-beta-hydroxy dehydrogenase (3-beta-HSD) deficiency
Analysis for 17-hydroxypregnenolone is also useful as part of a battery of tests to evaluate females with hirsutism or infertility; both can result from adult-onset CAH.
Testing Algorithm
See Steroid Pathways in Special Instructions.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
17-Hydroxypregnenolone, SSpecimen Type
SerumCollection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
Clinical Information
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is caused by inherited defects in steroid biosynthesis. Deficiencies in several enzymes cause CAH including 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2 mutations; 90% of cases), 11-hydroxylase (CYP11A1 mutations; 5%-8%), 3-beta-hydroxy dehydrogenase (HSD3B2 mutations; <5%), and 17-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP17A1 mutations; 125 cases reported to date). The resulting hormone imbalances (reduced glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, and elevated steroid intermediates and androgens) can lead to life-threatening, salt-wasting crises in the newborn period and incorrect gender assignment of virilized females.
The adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, and placenta produce steroid intermediates, which are hydroxylated at the position 21 (by 21-hydroxylase) and position 11 (by 11-hydroxylase) to produce cortisol. Deficiency of either 21-hydroxylase or 11-hydroxylase results in decreased cortisol synthesis and loss of feedback inhibition of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion. The consequent increased pituitary release of ACTH drives increased production of steroid intermediates.
The steroid intermediates are oxidized at position 3 (by 3-beta-hydroxy dehydrogenase: 3-beta-HSD). The 3-beta-HSD enzyme allows formation of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHPG) from 17-hydroxypregnenolone and progesterone from pregnenolone. When 3-beta-HSD is deficient, cortisol is decreased, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and pregnenolone levels may increase, and 17-OHPG and progesterone levels, respectively, are low. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is also converted to androstenedione by 3-beta-HSD and may be elevated in patients affected with 3-beta-HSD deficiency.
The best screening test for CAH, most often caused by either 21- or 11-hydroxylase deficiency, is the analysis of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (along with cortisol and androstenedione). CAH21 / Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Profile for 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency allows the simultaneous determination of these 3 analytes. Alternatively, these tests may be ordered individually: OHPG / 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Serum; CINP / Cortisol, Serum, LC-MS/MS; and ANST / Androstenedione, Serum.
If both 21- and 11-hydroxylase deficiency have been ruled out, analysis of 17-hydroxypregnenolone and pregnenolone may be used to confirm the diagnosis of 3-beta-HSD or 17-alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.
See Steroid Pathways in Special Instructions.
Reference Values
CHILDREN*
Males
Premature (26-28 weeks): 1,219-9,799 ng/dL
Premature (29-36 weeks): 346-8,911 ng/dL
Full term (1-5 months): 229-3,104 ng/dL
6 months-364 days: 221-1,981 ng/dL
1-2 years: 35-712 ng/dL
3-6 years: <277 ng/dL
7-9 years: <188 ng/dL
10-12 years: <393 ng/dL
13-15 years: 35-465 ng/dL
16-17 years: 32-478 ng/dL
TANNER STAGES
Stage I: <209 ng/dL
Stage II: <356 ng/dL
Stage III: <451 ng/dL
Stage IV-V: 35-478 ng/dL
Females
Premature (26-28 weeks): 1,219-9,799 ng/dL
Premature (29-36 weeks): 346-8,911 ng/dL
Full term (1-5 months): 229-3,104 ng/dL
6 months-364 days: 221-1,981 ng/dL
1-2 years: 35-712 ng/dL
3-6 years: <277 ng/dL
7-9 years: <213 ng/dL
10-12 years: <399 ng/dL
13-15 years: <408 ng/dL
16-17 years: <424 ng/dL
TANNER STAGES
Stage I: <236 ng/dL
Stage II: <368 ng/dL
Stage III: <431 ng/dL
Stage IV-V: <413 ng/dL
ADULTS
Males
≥18 years: 55-455 ng/dL
Females
≥18 years: 31-455 ng/dL
*Kushnir MM, Rockwood AL, Roberts WL, et al: Development and performance evaluation of a tandem mass spectrometry assay for 4 adrenal steroids. Clin Chem 2006;52(8):1559-1567
Cautions
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-hydroxypregnenolone levels of up to 9,799 ng/dL. Term infants (0-28 days) will have levels <3,104 ng/dL. These then fall over the following 2 years to prepubertal levels of <277 ng/dL.
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 8 a.m.
Report Available
2 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
84143