17-Ketosteroids urine test
17-ketosteroids are substances that form when the body breaks down male steroid sex hormones called androgens and other hormones released by the adrenal glands in males and females, and by the testes in males.
How the Test is Performed
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 to ensure accurate results.
Collect your urine over 24 hours
The urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amounts of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into ...
How to Prepare for the Test
Your provider will ask you to temporarily stop any medicines that may affect the test results. Be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take. These include:
- Antibiotics
- Aspirin (if you are on long-term aspirin)
- Birth control pills
- Diuretics (water pills)
- Estrogen
Do not stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
How the Test will Feel
The test involves normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
Your provider may order this test if you have signs of a disorder associated with abnormal levels of androgens.
Normal Results
Normal values are as follows:
- Male: 7 to 20 mg per 24 hours
- Female: 5 to 15 mg per 24 hours
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.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Increased levels of 17-ketosteroids may be due to:
- Adrenal glands making too much of their hormones (Cushing syndrome)
Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body has a high level of the hormone cortisol.
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Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman has increased levels of male hormones (androgens). Many problems occur as a result ...
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Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs.
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Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that starts in the testicles. The testicles are the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum.
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- Obesity
- Stress
- Testicular cancer
Decreased levels of 17-ketosteroids may be due to:
- Adrenal glands not making enough of their hormones (Addison disease)
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.
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- Pituitary gland not making enough of its hormones (hypopituitarism)
Hypopituitarism
Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.
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Risks
There are no risks with this test.
Reviewed By
Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bertholf RL, Cooper M, Winter WE. Adrenal cortex. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 56.
Bhasin S, Jasuja R, Jayasena CN. Gonadotropin regulation and androgen and estrogen physiology. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 105.
Winter WE, Harris NS. Laboratory evaluation of endocrine hypertension. In: Winter WE, Holmquist B, Sokoll LJ, Bertolf RL, eds. Handbook of Diagnostic Endocrinology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 11.
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