Understanding Your Test: Purpose, Procedure, Importance, and Results
A blood test that measures 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels to screen for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), primarily used in newborn screening.
{"17-OHP is a hormone test mainly used to screen newborns for CAH","The test is typically done using a small blood sample from a baby's heel","Early detection helps prevent serious health problems","Elevated levels may indicate CAH, requiring further testing","The test is part of routine newborn screening in many countries"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 48616-7
- Short code
- 17-OHP-DBS
- Synonyms
- 17OHP DBS-aCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Dried blood spot collection card (e.g., Whatman 903 or equivalent) or serum separator tube for conventional testing
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 30
- Critical range
- — – 1000 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Immunoassay (chemiluminescent or ELISA) on extracted dried blood spot specimen
- CPT
- 81415
- SNOMED
- 313275004
- Specimen volume
- DBS: one complete punched circle (approximately 3.2 mm diameter) or 50-100 μL blood spot; Serum: 1 mL minimum
- Stability
- DBS: stable at room temperature for 7-14 days, refrigerated for 30 days, frozen (-20°C) for longer storage; Serum: refrigerate at 2-8°C if analysis within 7 days
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test, and what does it evaluate? This medical test is used to assess a specific aspect of your health and may help your healthcare professional diagnose a condition, monitor treatment, or guide next steps.
The 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) test measures the amount of a hormone called 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the blood. This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. The test is primarily used as a screening tool for newborns to detect a genetic condition called congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
How is the test performed? Depending on the type of test, a trained healthcare professional may collect a sample, examine your body, or use specialized equipment, while following procedures designed for your safety and comfort.
For newborns, a small blood sample is collected by pricking the baby's heel. The blood is placed on a special filter paper card and allowed to dry - this is called a dried blood spot (DBS) sample. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. In older children or adults, a blood sample may be drawn from a vein in the arm.
Why is this test important? The test can provide useful information about your health that may not be clear from symptoms alone, helping your healthcare professional identify concerns, make informed decisions, and recommend appropriate care.
This test is crucial for early detection of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). CAH is a group of genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands' ability to produce cortisol and often aldosterone. If left untreated, CAH can cause serious problems including abnormal puberty, infertility, and in severe cases, life-threatening salt-wasting crises in newborns.
What do the results mean? Results are interpreted using the test’s reference range, your medical history, symptoms, and other findings, so your healthcare professional should explain what they mean for your individual situation.
Normal 17-OHP levels vary by age. In newborns, slightly elevated levels may be normal in the first few days after birth. Significantly elevated levels suggest CAH and require follow-up testing for confirmation. Your healthcare provider will interpret the results based on your baby's age, clinical symptoms, and other factors.
Reference range
Newborn screening cutoff: typically <30 nmol/L (<1000 ng/dL); Normal infants: 0.3-3.0 nmol/L (10-100 ng/dL); Adults: 0.6-7.5 nmol/L (20-250 ng/dL)N/A
No fasting required. For newborn screening, specimen should be collected between 24-72 hours of age (ideal). Avoid heating the specimen or exposing to direct sunlight.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
The 17-OHP test is primarily used for newborn screening of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). CAH is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder affecting about 1 in 15,000 newborns. The condition causes the adrenal glands to produce excess androgens (male hormones), which can lead to ambiguous genitalia in females, early puberty, rapid growth followed by short stature, and fertility issues. In its salt-wasting form, CAH can cause life-threatening electrolyte imbalances. Early detection through newborn screening allows for prompt treatment, which can prevent complications and allow for normal growth and development.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 17-OHP test painful for my baby?
What happens if my baby's test result is abnormal?
Can CAH be treated?
Is the test only for newborns?
Do I need to prepare my baby for the test?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3NIH - Newborn ScreeningSource
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy