17 Hydroxy Progesterone (17 OHP) Test in Kathmandu

About this test

17-Hydroxyprogesterone is a steroid made mainly by the adrenal glands, and it sits at a key crossroads in the pathway that produces cortisol. When the enzyme 21-hydroxylase is missing or weak, this precursor cannot be converted onward and builds up in the blood, so measuring it is the central test for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) — the commonest inherited adrenal disorder. In Nepal it is requested most often for a newborn or infant with ambiguous genitalia, a baby boy who becomes dangerously dehydrated and unwell with a salt-losing crisis in the first weeks of life, or a young child showing early pubic hair, rapid growth, and advanced bone age. In adult women it is a useful second-line test when there are signs of excess androgens — irregular or absent periods, troublesome acne, unwanted facial and body hair, or difficulty conceiving — to separate the milder late-onset (non-classic) form of CAH from polycystic ovary syndrome, which is far more frequent. A markedly raised baseline value strongly suggests CAH, while borderline results are usually clarified with an ACTH (Synacthen) stimulation test, where 17-OHP is rechecked after a measured rise. The result is never read alone; your doctor weighs it against cortisol, ACTH, testosterone, DHEAS, electrolytes, and the clinical picture, and in confirmed CAH it also guides how well steroid replacement is controlling the condition over time.

Sample type

Blood (serum)

Preparation

No fasting required. The sample is best drawn in the early morning, ideally before 8 a.m., when the level naturally peaks. In women who are menstruating, please tell us the day of your cycle, as the result is interpreted differently in the second half of the month. For newborn screening, the sample is usually taken after the second day of life.

Turnaround time

Reports for 17 Hydroxy Progesterone (17 OHP) are typically ready within: Same Day. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other hormones tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside 17 Hydroxy Progesterone (17 OHP) or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.