Investigation of urinary ketosteroid levels

Dear Ask The Doctor: I had a 24 hour urine test for 17 ketorsteroids in February with elevated levels of pregnantriol, hydroxyandrosterone, etiocholanolone, and androsterone. No one has been able to tell me what these results mean. Can you please give me a clue as to what is going on inside my body?

Dear Jennifer: 17-ketosteroids are substances that form when the body breaks down male steroid sex hormones called androgens and other hormones released by part of the adrenal gland in males and females, and in the testes in males. Increased levels of urinary 17-ketosteroids may be present in several conditions including: Ovarian dysfunction (polycystic ovarian disease), adrenal tumors, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cushing’s syndrome, ovarian cancer or testicular cancer. I would discuss the results of your urine test, with your family physician or endocrinologist to reach a definitive diagnosis. .