The adrenal glands produce 17-OH-progesterone , which in women is responsible for the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle. Its level does not remain constant and varies throughout the cycle: it remains low before ovulation, rises and remains high in the second half of the cycle. If there is no pregnancy, then with the beginning of the next cycle, the level of 17-OH-progesterone falls.
The causes of increased 17-OH-progesterone
Pregnancy is one of the reasons why 17-OH-progesterone is elevated . Already after fertilization and implantation, the level of this hormone begins to rise.
If there is no pregnancy, then there are other reasons, due to which 17-oh-progesterone is increased, such diseases as adrenal or ovarian tumors, congenital adrenal hyperplasia are included.
Symptoms of increasing 17-OH-progesterone
Normally, the level of 17-OH-progesterone:
- in men from 0.2 to 2.3 ng / ml;
- in women in the first phase of the cycle from 0.2 to 1.2 ng / ml;
- in the second - from 1.0 to 4.5 ng / ml;
- at pregnancy from 2,0 up to 12,0 ng / ml.
It is possible to suspect an increase in the level of 17-OH-progesterone in women with the appearance of excess hair growth in the body and their thinning. Increasing the level of the hormone leads to irregular periods in a woman or complete amenorrhea. Also, the increase in 17-OH-progesterone leads to problems of other organs and systems:
- blood sugar levels increase;
- there are problems with the skin and acne;
- increased blood pressure and cholesterol;
- there are interruptions in the work of the heart of a woman at any age.
Treatment of increasing 17-OH-progesterone
To correct the elevated hormone after determining its level in the blood prescribe hormonal drugs (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone). The course of treatment takes up to six months, cancellation of treatment can not be carried out abruptly: the dose of hormones is always corrected by the doctor.