17-Ketosteroids urine test

17-Ketosteroids Urine Test

A 17-ketosteroid urine test is a type of test used to measure the amount of male sex hormones in the body. It is used to help diagnose problems with pituitary or adrenal glands. These hormones are also called androgens and are important for male sexual development. This test may be used to help diagnose possible causes of infertility. It is important to understand that this is an exploratory test and can't provide a definitive answer.

Preparation

No specific preparation is usually required for this test. However, it's important to inform your doctor of any medications you may be taking that could interfere with the results.

Procedure

The procedure typically involves collecting a urine sample over the course of 24 hours. This sample is then sent to a lab for analysis. The results will be provided to your physician, who will interpret them and draw any necessary conclusions.

Types

There are two types of 17-ketosteroid urine tests: free and total. Free tests measure the amount of free hormones in the urine, while total tests measure the amount of both free and bound hormones in the urine.

Risks

There are no known risks associated with this test. However, it's important to tell your doctor about any medications you may be taking as they could interfere with the results.

Why

The 17-ketosteroid urine test is used to measure the amount of male sex hormones in the body. This test may be used to help diagnose possible causes of infertility. It is important to understand that this is an exploratory test and cannot provide a definitive answer.

When

Your doctor may recommend a 17-ketosteroid urine test if you are having difficulty conceiving or if you have other symptoms that may be related to an imbalance in male hormones.