At a Glance Why Get Tested? To screen for, detect, and monitor
treatment for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH); sometimes to
help rule out other conditions When to Get Tested? As part of a
routine newborn screen, when an infant has ambiguous genitalia,
when a young female has hirsutism or other symptoms of
virilization, when a male child has premature sexual
development, and periodically to monitor CAH treatment A blood
sample drawn from a vein in your arm or blood from a heelstick
for an infant Test Preparation Needed? The Test Sample What is
being tested? This test measures the amount of
17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in the blood. 17-OHP is a
precursor to cortisol; it is a substance used by the body to
make cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal
glands that helps break down protein, glucose, and lipids,
maintains blood pressure, and regulates the immune system. The
production of cortisol is stimulated by adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH), a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Con