17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP)
Intermediate steroid in cortisol synthesis and definitive screening biomarker for congenital adrenal hyperplasia from 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
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.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
<200 ng/dL (early follicular), <80 ng/dL (males)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
<100 ng/dL (early morning baseline)
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Hydroxylated from progesterone by CYP17A1; blocked conversion by CYP21A2 diverts substrate into adrenal androgen pathways.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (17-OHP High)
- •Classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH (>10,000 ng/dL)
- •Non-classic CAH (200 - 1,000 ng/dL)
- •Adrenal carcinoma
Low Levels (17-OHP Low)
- •Adrenal hypoplasia
- •Normal baseline suppression
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Collect in standard collection tubes as specified by the laboratory protocol. Avoid hemolysis and process serum/plasma promptly within 2 hours. Discontinue interfering supplements prior to testing when applicable.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker panel evaluation for 17-OHP
- Targeted imaging or functional organ assessment related to adrenal corticosteroid synthesis
- Comprehensive metabolic and inflammatory baseline panel (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Physiological Dynamics of 17-Hydroxyprogesterone - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33890124
- [2]17-OHP in Human Longevity and Pathophysiological Risk Stratification - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35122901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) into overall healthspan optimization.