Corticosterone details
What Corticosterone shows
Corticosterone is a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands. It has mild glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity and is an intermediate step in the pathway that produces aldosterone. It is measured as part of a steroid panel, where the pattern of several hormones helps show whether each enzyme in adrenal hormone production is working. Unusually high or low levels, relative to the steroids before and after it in the pathway, can point to rare enzyme deficiencies such as some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or to adrenal tumors. It is never interpreted on its own.
Tests that include Corticosterone
This panel identifies all major adrenal steroid hormones and facilitates the diagnosis of the four enzymatic defects associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). All steroids are determined in a single assay by LCMSMS using as little as 0.1 mL serum.
- Androstenedione A hormone produced by the adrenal glands and gonads that serves as a building block for testosterone and estrogen. Tested to evaluate excess androgen symptoms or adrenal disorders.
- Pregnenolone A hormone made from cholesterol that's the starting building block for all your other steroid hormones, including cortisol, DHEA, and sex hormones.
- Progesterone A hormone essential for the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Used to confirm ovulation, evaluate fertility, and monitor early pregnancy.
- Testosterone The primary male sex hormone, also present in women in smaller amounts. Evaluated for low testosterone symptoms, fertility, and reproductive hormone imbalances.
- 11-Deoxycortisol A steroid made by the adrenal glands on the way to cortisol, measured to look at how well the final steps of cortisol production are working.
- 17-Hydroxypregnenolone An early steroid made by the adrenal glands and gonads, measured to check for specific enzyme blocks in the production of cortisol and sex hormones.
- 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) A hormone your adrenal glands make while producing cortisol and other steroid hormones. Mainly used to screen for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and evaluate adrenal or reproductive hormone imbalances.
- 18-Hydroxycorticosterone A steroid made by the adrenal glands on the way to aldosterone, measured to help evaluate aldosterone production and conditions affecting it.
- Corticosterone Measures corticosterone, an adrenal steroid made on the way to aldosterone, as part of a steroid panel that helps look at adrenal enzyme function.
- Cortisol, Total Your main stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands. Reflects adrenal function and helps evaluate conditions like Cushing's syndrome or adrenal insufficiency.
- Cortisone Measures cortisone, the inactive form of cortisol, as part of a steroid panel that helps look at how the body converts and balances cortisol.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that serves as a building block for testosterone and estrogen. Reflects adrenal androgen production.
- Deoxycorticosterone Measures deoxycorticosterone (DOC), a mineralocorticoid made on the way to aldosterone, to help evaluate adrenal enzyme problems and some causes of high blood pressure.
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