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Table 5. Utility of Various Analytes for Monitoring CAH
Treatment
Patients Analyte Physiology Goals and Comments
All ages Plasma renin Volume status Low to normal unless
hypertensive
Potassium MC replacement Goal is normal
Sodium GC and MC
replacement
Goal is normal
Testosterone Total androgens Goal is at or near normal
Androstenedione Mostly adrenal
origin
Goal is at or near normal
Sex hormone–
binding globulin
Testosterone-
binding protein
For calculation of free and
bioavailable testosterone
17OHP Variable Normal values indicate
overtreatment
Men Testosterone Adrenal or
ovarian origin
Interpret abnormal values in
context of gonadotropins and
androstenedione levels
Gonadotropins Gonadal axis
status
Low indicates poor control
Androstenedione Mainly adrenal Goal is <0.5× testosterone
Semen analysis Fertility Goal is normal
Women Follicular-phase
progesterone
Mainly adrenal
origin when
elevated
Goal is <0.6 ng/mL
(<2 nmol/L) for women
trying to conceive
