Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediatley following collection, mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp) labelled as serum
4. Freeze 

Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp)

Red serum vial/tube - 5 mL

Lavender (EDTA), 4mL

Red:

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp) labelled as serum
4. Freeze 

Lavender:

1. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
2. Transfer plasma to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp) labelled as EDTA plasma
3. Freeze 

Frozen (preferred) - 2 years

Refrigerated - 1 day

Ambient - 6 hours

• Non-serum or non-EDTA plasma specimen received

High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) tandem mass spectrometry.

Premature (26 - 28 weeks) day 4:  375−3559 ng/dL

Premature (31 - 35 weeks) day 4:  64−2380 ng/dL

3 days:  10−829 ng/dL

1 - 5 months:  36−763 ng/dL

6 - 11 months:  42−540 ng/dL

12 - 23 months:  14−207 ng/dL

24 months - 5 years:  10−103 ng/dL

6 - 9 years:  10−186 ng/dL

Pubertal:  44−235 ng/dL

Adults:  53−357 ng/dL

In humans, the adrenal glands and the gonads produce steroid hormones.  The formation of pregnenolone from cholesterol is the first step in steroidogenesis. Steroidogenesis continues along two paths from pregnenolone. 17-Hydroxypregnenolone is produced from pregnenolone through the enzymatic action of 17 alpha-hydroxylase (17 alpha-H). 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) mediates the conversion of 17-hydroxypregnenolone to 17-hydroxyprogesterone. Alternatively, the enzyme 17,20 lyase can convert 17-hydroxypregnenolone to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). 17 alpha-H and 17,20 lyase activity are both mediated by a single microsomal cytochrome P450 complex.

17-hydroxypregnenelone levels have been shown to remain in the normal range in patients with Cushing.  Levels can be suppressed with dexamethasone inhibition and increased with exogenous ACTH stimulation.  Levels during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle tend to be higher than during the luteal phase.  17-hydroxypregnenelone levels have been shown to be elevated in patients with idiopathic hirsutism.