Definition

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.

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)
• Imbalance of sex hormones in females (polycystic ovary syndrome)
• Ovarian cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Overactive thyroid
• Obesity
• Stress
• Testicular cancer

Decreased levels of 17-ketosteroids may be due to:

• Adrenal glands not making enough of their hormones (Addison disease)
• Kidney damage
• Pituitary gland not making enough of its hormones (hypopituitarism)
• Removal of the testicles (castration)

Risks

There are no risks with this test.

References

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.