Ajax Harwood Clinic
17-OHP hormone test
Full name: 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP)
This test is useful only in specific situations — it's not right for everyone who asks about it.
What this test is
17-hydroxyprogesterone, or 17-OHP, is a hormone made by your adrenal glands. Your doctor may check it if you have extra hair growth, acne, or irregular periods, to rule out a rare condition called non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. This condition can look like PCOS but needs different treatment. The test works best when drawn in the morning, and early in your cycle if you are still having periods. If you don't have these symptoms, this test is not part of routine hormone screening. A result drawn at the wrong time of day can look falsely high and lead to extra testing that is not needed.
Want to see the full clinical reasoning? The reference we use for this test is open to anyone — it is detailed and written for clinicians, and you are welcome to read it.
Open the clinician reference →Looking for other tests, or more on a condition an ND raised? Explore ask.ajaxharwoodclinic.com →
General health information for Ajax Harwood Clinic patients and the public — not medical advice, and not a substitute for seeing your own doctor. Last reviewed 2026-09-23.