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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 amount of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into t...
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: 8 to 20 mg per 24 hours
- Female: 6 to 12 mg per 24 hr
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Increased levels of 17-ketosteroids may be due to:
-
Adrenal gland problems such as tumor,
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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Imbalance of sex hormones in females (
polycystic ovary syndrome
)
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of female sex hormones. This may lead to changes in the menstrual ...
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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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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 occurs when the adrenal glands do 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.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Removal of the testicles (castration)
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
References
Carmina E, Stanczyk FZ, Lobo RA. Laboratory assessment. In: Strauss JF, Barbieri RL, eds. Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 34.
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Metyrapone (cortisol) - 24-hour urine. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:787.
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Urine sample - illustration
A "clean-catch" urine sample is performed by collecting the sample of urine in midstream. Men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. A small amount of urine should initially fall into the toilet bowl before it is collected (this clears the urethra of contaminants). Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine and remove the container from the urine stream. The container is then given to the health care provider.
Urine sample
illustration
-
Urine sample - illustration
A "clean-catch" urine sample is performed by collecting the sample of urine in midstream. Men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. A small amount of urine should initially fall into the toilet bowl before it is collected (this clears the urethra of contaminants). Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine and remove the container from the urine stream. The container is then given to the health care provider.
Urine sample
illustration
Review Date: 11/1/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
