17 Alpha Hydroxy Progesterone Test

In the United States, as a part of newborn screening, this test of 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone is carried out. Deficiency of 21-hydroxylase leads to the disorder of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The disorder of congenital adrenal hyperplasia can be detected by the test of 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone. CAH and cortisol-related enzyme deficiencies are associated with each other. There are 90 % chances for the responsibility of a mutation in the 21-hydroxylase gene for causing CAH along with the detection by 17-OHP’s accumulation in the blood. The symptoms of CAH are different in infants, young girls and adult women and young boys and adult men.

Preparations are required to be done before the test of 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone. These preparations are as follows.
• Before at least eight hours of the test, we should eat and drink anything (Not applicable to infants).
• We should not take any medicine before this test.
• Loose and comfortable clothes should be worn by the child who has to be tested.
• We should make ourselves calm if we are afraid of needle before this test. The accuracy of the test will get affected by fast breathing.

The test of 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone has a great source of utility. The uses of this test can be discussed in the following way.
• This test is used to detect the disorder of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
• This test ensures reliability.
• This test is easy to carry out.

A blood test is carried out in the procedure of this test. The steps involved in the procedure of this test are as follows.
• Firstly, technician have to find the vein of our hand.
• In the vein which is searched by technician, the needle has to be inserted.
• The blood is drawn through the needle into the syringe.
• In the blood container, this blood is transferred.
• This blood is taken as the sample for analysis.