17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP)

17-Hydroxyprogesterone is a hormone made by the adrenal glands and ovaries, and it plays a key role as a stepping stone in the production of cortisol. This test measures how much of it is circulating in your blood, and it’s most commonly used to check for a group of genetic conditions called congenital adrenal hyperplasia, where the body struggles to convert this hormone properly. In newborns, it’s often part of routine screening, while in older children and adults, it helps investigate certain hormonal imbalances.

Who Should Get This Test Done?

This test is recommended for individuals who:

●     Are newborns being screened for congenital adrenal hyperplasia as part of routine testing
●     Show signs of early or unusual puberty in childhood
●     Are women experiencing irregular periods, excess facial or body hair, or acne linked to hormonal imbalance
●     Have a family history of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and need evaluation
●     Are being investigated for infertility or suspected adrenal gland disorders
Why Consider This Test?

Hormonal imbalances can show up in ways that are easy to dismiss, irregular cycles, unexpected hair growth, acne that won’t go away, but they’re often connected to something deeper happening at the adrenal or ovarian level. This test is particularly important for newborns since congenital adrenal hyperplasia, if missed early, can lead to serious complications. For older individuals, especially women dealing with symptoms that overlap with PCOS, this test helps rule in or rule out an adrenal cause, which changes the treatment path considerably.

More Information

17-OHP sits right in the middle of the pathway your body uses to make cortisol, so when there’s a block or enzyme deficiency somewhere along that pathway, this hormone tends to build up rather than convert further. That buildup is exactly what doctors look for when suspecting congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Because its levels can naturally fluctuate depending on age, timing, and even stress, this test is usually interpreted alongside clinical symptoms and sometimes other hormone levels, giving a fuller sense of what’s happening rather than looking at one number in isolation.

Other Names

●     17-OHP Test
●     17-Hydroxyprogesterone Blood Test
●     CAH Screening Test
●     Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Test
●     Adrenal Hormone Panel Test