 
                                                                                                    10/30/2025
                                            The adrenal cortex, specifically the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis, synthesizes 11-deoxycortisol from 17-hydroxyprogesterone. This intermediate is then converted into cortisol through the catalytic action of the enzyme 11β-hydroxylase. Consequently, quantifying 11-deoxycortisol in serum or plasma serves as a useful diagnostic marker for identifying 11β-hydroxylase deficiency, the second most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This enzyme defect leads to reduced cortisol synthesis, which stimulates excess secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland. The impaired enzymatic conversion also causes accumulation of precursor steroids. Moreover, the drug metyrapone, which specifically inhibits 11β-hydroxylase, is employed in clinical settings to evaluate the integrity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis by measuring post-administration levels of 11-deoxycortisol, ACTH, and cortisol. Learn more about the testing with Medical Database.
https://app.medicaldatabase.com/site/medical-tests/55d8ff98-cfbd-46fe-a740-1a0383300407
                                         
 
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                         
   
   
   
   
     
   
   
  