17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) is measured to screen for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency, in which 17OHP levels are extremely elevated. It can also be abnormal in PCO but the frequency and magnitude of this alteration is poorly described. We analyzed retrospectively: complaints, body mass index (BMI), follicular phase levels of LH, FSH, testosterone (T), 17OHP, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and ovarian volume by ultrasound from 83 PCO patients not previously treated. CAH has been excluded by ACTH testing if basal 17OHP levels were > 200ng/dL. Hormone levels were above reference values in 67.5% for 17OHP; 38.6% for LH; 10.8% for T and 4.9% for DHEAS. LH/FSH ratio was above 1 in 50.6% of the women. At least one of the ovaries was increased in 53.5% of the patients. The mean increase in 17OHP was 30% above the normal limit (median 18%). There was a negative correlation with FSH and a positive correlation trend with DHEAS. 17OHP was the most frequently elevated hormone, suggesting that in addition to screening for CAH, mild increases of this hormone can be used to support PCO diagnosis in an appropriate clinical setting
17-Hydroxyprogesterone; Polycystic ovaries; PCO; Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
