17-ketosteroid

hormone

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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17-ketosteroids are derivatives of androstane that have a ketone group at the 17th carbon position. They are primarily formed in the liver through the oxidation of adrenal steroid hormones.

Urinary 17-ketosteroids are used to assess the secretion levels of the adrenal gland, rather than the testes. Their levels can indicate adrenal function and are analyzed to diagnose endocrine abnormalities.1

Steroid hormones, including those derived from the adrenal cortex, are synthesized from cholesterol. These hormones play crucial roles in various bodily functions. The liver metabolizes these hormones into inactive products that are then excreted, mainly through urine.12

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…from excessive secretion of androgenic hormones by the adrenal cortex. It is a disorder in which the deficiency or absence of a single enzyme has far-reaching consequences.
Read More