17Alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Test

The amount of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in a sample of your blood. 17-OHP is a substance that your adrenal glands make. Your adrenal glands are two small organs that sit on top of each kidney. They make different types of hormones you need to stay alive and healthy. Hormones are chemical messengers in your bloodstream that control the actions of certain cells or organs. Normally, your adrenal glands use 17-OHP to make a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol helps control your energy levels, blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure, and your body's response to stress, illness and injury. A 17-OHP test helps diagnose a group of uncommon, inherited genetic disorders that affect how well your adrenal glands make cortisol. These genetic adrenal gland disorders are called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).