17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) is a steroid hormone produced as part of the process of synthesizing the hormone cortisol. It is an intermediate in the production of corticosteroids and plays a key role in the body's stress response and in regulating various physiological functions.
The 17-OHP test is often used to evaluate conditions related to adrenal and gonadal function, especially in diagnosing disorders like congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).