17-OH corticosteroids; 17-OHCS
The 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) test measures the level of 17-OHCS in the urine.
A 24-hour urine sample is needed. You will need to collect your urine over 24 hours. Your health care provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly.
Your provider will instruct you, if necessary, to stop medicines that may interfere with the test. These may include:
The test involves only normal urination. There is no discomfort.
17-OHCS is a product formed when the liver and other body tissues break down the steroid hormone cortisol.
This test can help determine if the body is producing too much cortisol. The test may be used to diagnose Cushing syndrome. This is a disorder that occurs when the body has a constant high level of cortisol.
The urine volume and urine creatinine are often done with 17-OHCS test at the same time. This helps the provider interpret the test.
This test is not done often now. The free cortisol urine test is a better screening test for Cushing disease.
Normal values:
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
A higher than normal level of 17-OHCS may indicate:
A lower than normal level of 17-OHCS may indicate:
Urinating more than 3 liters a day (polyuria) can make the result of the test high even though cortisol production is normal.
There are no risks with this test.
Newell-Price JDC, Auchus RJ. The adrenal cortex. In: Melmed S, Auchus, RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 5/12/2023
Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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