| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | A test that measures the amount of 17-ketosteroids in urine. |
| Alternative Names | 17-KS |
| How the test is performed | A 24 hour urine sample is needed. The health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test. On day 1, urinate into the toilet upon arising in the morning. Collect all subsequent urine (in a special container) for the next 24 hours. On day 2, urinate into the container in the morning upon arising. Cap the container. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period. Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed. Infant: Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all). The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated into the bag. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts -- lively infants can displace the bag, causing an inability to obtain the specimen. The urine is drained into the container for transport to the laboratory. Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion. The lab analyzes the sample for the amount of 17-ketosteroids. |
| How to prepare for the test | No special preparation is necessary for this test, but if the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary. |
| How the test will feel | The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort. |
| Why the test is performed | This test may be performed when any of the disorders associated with abnormal levels of the "male" steroid sex hormones (androgens) are suspected. 17-ketosteroids are metabolites (break-down products) of androgens and other steroid hormones that are secreted from the adrenal cortex. In men, most of the hormone metabolites come from the adrenal cortex and a smaller amount from the testes. In women and children, almost all androgens are derived from the adrenal cortex. |
| Normal Values | Normal values are as follows: male: 8 to 20 mg/24 hr female: 6 to 12 mg/24 hr Note: mg/24 hr = milligrams per 24-hours |
| What abnormal results mean | Increased levels of 17-ketosteroids may indicate: adrenal tumorcongenital adrenal hyperplasia (very rare) Cushing's syndromeovarian cancertesticular cancer Decreased levels of 17-ketosteroids may indicate: Addison's diseasehypopituitarism |
| What the risks are | There are no risks. |
| Special considerations | Acute emotional or physical stress can affect the result. Drugs that can increase 17-KS measurements include: antibiotics, chloramphenicol, chlorpromazine, dexamethasone, meprobamate, phenothiazines, quinidine, secobarbital, and spironolactone. Drugs that can decrease 17-KS measurements include: estrogens, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), probenecid, promazine, reserpine, salicylates (prolonged use), and thiazide diuretics. |
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