11-Deoxycortisol, S

11-Deoxycortisol, sometimes called Compound S, is the hormone your body makes one step before turning it into cortisol. The conversion happens through an enzyme called 11-beta-hydroxylase, and when that enzyme isn’t working properly, 11-deoxycortisol starts piling up while actual cortisol stays low. This blood test measures exactly that buildup. It’s mainly ordered when there’s reason to suspect a rare genetic condition affecting the adrenal glands, particularly in children with unusual growth patterns, blood pressure issues, or hormone imbalances picked up during newborn screening.

Who should get this test done?

This test is recommended for:

●     Infants with abnormal results on newborn screening for adrenal disorders
●     Children showing signs of early or unusual puberty
●     Individuals with high blood pressure paired with low potassium levels
●     Individuals being evaluated for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
●     Individuals with a family history of adrenal enzyme deficiencies
Why consider this test?

This test plays a key role in figuring out exactly where the breakdown is happening in the body’s cortisol production line. Since 11-deoxycortisol sits right before cortisol in that chain, elevated levels point fairly specifically toward 11-beta-hydroxylase deficiency, one of the less common forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Getting this diagnosis right early matters quite a bit, since untreated cases can lead to issues like high blood pressure, electrolyte problems, and abnormal sexual development in children. It also helps doctors tell apart different types of adrenal hyperplasia that might look similar on the surface but need different treatment approaches.

More information

11-Deoxycortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands during the process of cortisol synthesis. Measuring its level helps provide valuable information about adrenal hormone production and can support the evaluation of certain adrenal gland disorders and enzyme deficiencies that affect steroid hormone synthesis. This test is usually performed as part of a broader hormonal assessment, and the results are interpreted alongside clinical findings, medical history, and other endocrine investigations to provide a comprehensive evaluation.

Other names of the test

●     Compound S test
●     11-Deoxycortisol test
●     17-deoxycortisol test
●     CYP11B1 deficiency test
●     Cortodoxone test