17-OH progesterone or 17-hydroxyprogesterone is a steroid hormone that is produced in the cortical substance of the adrenal gland and is the precursor of such hormones as cortisol, estradiol and testosterone. It is also produced in the sex glands, mature follicle, yellow body and placenta and under the influence of the enzyme 17-20 lyase turns into sex hormones. Next, we will consider what role 17-progesterone plays in the body of a non-pregnant woman and in pregnancy and the symptoms of its increase and insufficiency.
Biological features of the hormone 17-oh progesterone
Each person's level of 17-OH progesterone fluctuates within 24 hours. So, its maximum concentration is noted in the morning hours, and the minimum - in the night. 17-OH progesterone in women varies depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. The maximum increase in the level of this hormone is noted on the eve of ovulation (before the maximum increase in luteinizing hormone). 17-OH progesterone in the follicular phase decreases rapidly, reaching a minimum level in the ovulation phase.
Now consider the normal values of 17-OH progesterone, depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle:
- in the luteal phase - 0.99-11.51 nmol / l;
- in the follicular phase - 1,24-8,24 nmol / l;
- in the phase of ovulation - 0,91-4,24 nmol / l.
17-OH progesterone in pregnancy increases, reaching its maximum values in recent weeks. During pregnancy, the placenta also responds to the synthesis of this steroid hormone. Imagine the permissible value of 17-OH progesterone during pregnancy:
- in the first trimester - 3,55-17,03 nmol / l;
- in the second trimester - 3,55-20 nmol / l;
- in the third trimester - 3.75-33.33 nmol / l.
In premenopausal and during menopause, the level of the hormone 17-OH progesterone decreases significantly and reaches 0.39-1.55 nmol / l.
Change in the level of 17-OH progesterone - diagnosis and symptoms
Insufficient level of 17-OH progesterone in the blood is most often the cause of adrenal hypoplasia and can be combined with insufficient production of other hormones. Clinically, it can manifest itself in the form of Addison's disease, and boys underdevelop the external genitalia.
The increase in 17-OH progesterone can normally be observed only in pregnancy, in other cases it indicates a pathology. So, high 17-OH progesterone can be a symptom of adrenal tumors, ovaries (malignant formations and polycystosis) and genetic disorders of the adrenal cortex.
Clinically, the increase in 17-OH progesterone may be manifested:
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- infertility;
- spontaneous abortions;
- stillbirth or early infant mortality;
- an increase in progesterone 17-OH may be manifested by acne (pimples);
- If 17-OH progesterone is elevated, testosterone can also be elevated. This can be manifested in the form of increased growth of hair on the face and body (male hair type).
The level of 17-OH progesterone can be determined by examining the serum
Thus, we examined the biological role in the body of the hormone 17-OH progesterone and its permissible values in women. The decrease in the level of this hormone can normally be only during menopause, and its increase is considered normal throughout pregnancy. The change in the level of 17-OH progesterone in other cases may be one of the symptoms of adrenal and ovarian disease, which leads to hyperandrogenism, infertility or spontaneous abortions.