Diagnostiki Athinon no longer measures 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in urine, and it is considered obsolete due to reduced specificity and sensitivity.
Instead of this measurement, we recommend the following tests:
Measurement of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in urine is used to test adrenal cortex function.
More information
17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) are degradation products of cortisone and hydrocortisone and can be used as a marker of these molecules' production and the adrenal cortex's function. 17-hydroxycorticosteroids are carbon compounds having a dihydroxyacetone group in the seventeenth carbon molecule. Cortisone and hydrocortisone regulate, but are not limited to, carbohydrate and protein metabolism and regulate ACTH secretion.
What are the clinical indications for the measurement of 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids?
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- Change in mental state
- Motion sickness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Savory foods cravings
- Facial edema (moon face)
- Kyphosis (buffalo hump)
- Abnormal hair growth
What do the results of the 17-Ηydroxycorticosteroids test in urine mean?
An elevated level of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the urine may indicate:
- Cushing's syndrome
- Adrenal cancer
- Hyperpituitarism
- Eclampsia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Taking certain medications and nutritional supplements
A reduced level of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in urine may indicate:
- Addison's disease
- Androgenetic syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypopituitarism
- Taking certain medications and nutritional supplements
Important Note
Laboratory test results are the most critical parameter for diagnosing and monitoring all pathological conditions. 70% and 80% of diagnostic decisions are based on laboratory tests. Correct interpretation of laboratory results allows a doctor to distinguish "healthy" from "diseased."
Laboratory test results should not be interpreted from the numerical result of a single analysis. Test results should be interpreted based on each case and family history, clinical findings, and other laboratory tests and information. Your physician should explain the importance of your test results.
At Diagnostiki Athinon, we answer any questions you may have about the test you perform in our laboratory and contact your doctor to ensure you receive the best possible medical care.
