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Biomarker Encyclopedia

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Home/Biomarkers/Endocrinology & Hormones/17-OH Preg
Endocrinology & HormonesDelta-5 Steroid Pathway

17-Hydroxypregnenolone (17-OH Preg)

Key intermediate steroid in the delta-5 steroidogenic pathway, converted from pregnenolone by 17alpha-hydroxylase (CYP17A1).

Standard Range10 - 250 ng/dL
Optimal Longevity30 - 150 ng/dL
Measurement Unitng/dL
Organ SystemDelta-5 Steroid Pathway
Routine Panels:Delta-5 Steroid PanelAdrenal Enzyme Defects

Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangesng/dL

Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.

Interactive Range Analyzer
Unit: ng/dL
ng/dL
Presets:
7 ng/dLOptimal Zone Target338 ng/dL
Optimal Longevity Zone(90 ng/dL)

Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.

Standard Reference Interval

10 - 250 ng/dL

General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.

Optimal Longevity Target

30 - 150 ng/dL

Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.

Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose

Serves as the immediate precursor to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) via 17,20-lyase activity of CYP17A1.

Differential Diagnosis

Elevated Levels (17-OH Preg High)

  • •3beta-HSD deficiency CAH (massive upstream accumulation)
  • •Premature adrenarche
  • •PCOS variant presentations

Low Levels (17-OH Preg Low)

  • •17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency
  • •Lipoid CAH

Technical Reference & Deep Dive

Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
At the molecular level, 17-Hydroxypregnenolone (17-OH Preg) plays an essential physiological role in delta-5 steroid pathway. Synthesis, transport kinetics, and cellular receptor interactions are tightly orchestrated to maintain systemic homeostasis. Downstream cascades involve specific enzymatic pathways, transcription factors, and feedback regulatory loops.
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Primary diagnostic screening biomarker for 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) deficiency CAH.
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup

Pre-Analytical Considerations:

Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.

Reflexive Testing Protocol:

  • Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for 17-OH Preg
  • Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to delta-5 steroid pathway
  • Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
  • [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of 17-Hydroxypregnenolone - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33990124
  • [2]17-OH Preg Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35222901
Common Panels:Delta-5 Steroid PanelAdrenal Enzyme Defects
View All Panels

Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators

Medicine 3.0

Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate 17-Hydroxypregnenolone (17-OH Preg) into overall healthspan optimization.

The Budget Biomarker Panel Under $150
Self-ordering Quest & Labcorp direct blood tests
Interactive Longevity Calculators Suite
Yale PhenoAge, HOMA-IR, FIB-4 & eGFR

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