17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) blood test
Quick answer: A 17-OHP test measures 17-hydroxyprogesterone, a hormone made by the adrenal glands on the way to making cortisol. Doctors order it to check for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), including the milder late-onset form that can look like PCOS, with irregular periods and extra hair growth.
- SampleBlood
- TakesAbout 5 minutes
- Before the testYour doctor may ask for an early-morning sample, and in women often in the first half of the cycle.
- In fertility careLate-onset CAH can cause irregular ovulation, so this test is sometimes used to rule it out when PCOS is suspected.
How the test is done
- 1You may be booked for an early-morning slot, often in the first half of your cycle
- 2A staff member ties a band around your upper arm and cleans the skin
- 3A thin needle draws blood from a vein into a tube
- 4The tube is labelled and the 17-OHP level is measured in the lab
What your results can mean
Reading your report
Hormone ranges differ between labs and by age, sex and cycle day, so discuss your result with your doctor.
If the result is outside the usual range
A high level can be seen with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, including the milder late-onset form. A mildly raised level sometimes needs a follow-up stimulation test before anything is concluded.
Who usually has this test
Women with irregular periods, extra hair growth or suspected PCOS, and newborns or children being checked for CAH.
Risks and aftercare
You may have a small bruise at the needle site, which usually fades in a few days.
Names and options
Also called: 17-OHP, 17 OH progesterone
Listed by the hospital as
- 17 OH PROGESTERONE, SERUM
Questions about this test
Why is the 17-OHP test done in the morning?
17-OHP levels are highest in the early morning and change through the day. A morning sample makes the result easier to compare. In women, testing in the first half of the cycle avoids the rise that comes after ovulation.
Can late-onset CAH be mistaken for PCOS?
Yes. Both can cause irregular periods, acne and extra hair growth. A 17-OHP test is one way doctors tell them apart before choosing treatment.
What happens if my 17-OHP is slightly high?
A mildly raised result does not confirm CAH. Your doctor may repeat the test or arrange an ACTH stimulation test, where 17-OHP is measured before and after an injection.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.