Androstenedione

Also indexed as: Andro, Androstenediol, Norandrostenedione

What does it do? Androstenedione (andro) is an androgen hormone. It is produced in the adrenal glands and gonads from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and is converted to testosterone by several tissues, including muscle and bone. One trial reported that 100 mg of andro raised testosterone levels in women to six times the normal range, and was significantly more effective in this than a similar amount of DHEA.1 In men, andro supplementation at 300 mg per day raised both testosterone and estrogen levels in one controlled trial2 and raised only estrogen levels in another.3 Lower amounts of 100 mg per day raised estrogen but had no effect on testosterone levels in these and other4 trials. Strength and muscle mass gains were measured in two of these studies, which found no benefit from 100 mg of andro per day alone5 or 300 mg of andro per day during an eight-week weight training regimen.6

Substances similar to andro, such as androstenediol and norandrostenedione, are also available. While some test tube and animal studies have found androgen-like effects7 as well as immune-enhancing effects8 for androstenediol, no research exists on the effects of supplementing these substances in the human body.

Animal studies have demonstrated a protective effect of androstenedione against bone loss when normal hormone production is reduced.9

Where is it found? Androstenedione is made in the human adrenal glands and gonads. It also occurs naturally in animal foods and in the pollen of Scotch pine trees.10

Who is likely to be deficient? The concentration of androgens such as androstenedione peaks in early adulthood. Androstenedione probably declines steadily thereafter in men, but levels in women decline abruptly at menopause11 after which they actually rise.12 It remains unclear whether or not these normal declines with age should be considered a “deficiency.” Lower androstenedione levels have been found in postmenopausal women who were either underweight13 or had lower bone mineral density.14 Men with systemic lupus erythematosus also show reduced production of androstenedione.15

How much is usually taken? One human trial used 100 mg per day in an attempt to increase testosterone levels, however, ideal intake remains unknown.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Androstenedione and other related substances have been banned by the International Olympic Committee, the National Football League, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Androstenedione reduced blood levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol in one trial of men.16 No other reports of side effects from use of androstenedione in humans have been published, though one study found prostate enlargement in monkeys given andro.17 Common side effects of elevated testosterone levels include enlargement of breasts, prostate, and other glandular tissues, as well as increased risk of glandular cancers, hair loss, water retention, lower HDL levels, erectile dysfunction, acne, oily skin, and increased sex drive. Persistently elevated testosterone levels in women can lead to permanent changes, such as a deep voice, growth of a beard, enlargement of genitals, and other masculine characteristics. Androgenic steroid hormones may aggravate certain diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, psychological disorders, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and hormonal abnormalities. Androgens should also not be used by growing children or pregnant or breast-feeding women. Until more is known, andro should be used only with a doctor’s supervision.

Are there any drug interactions? Certain medications may interact with androstenedione. Refer to the drug interactions safety check for a list of those medications.

Special United Kingdom considerations: Androstenedione is either not available or may require a prescription. People should check with their physicians.

References:

1. Mahesh VB, Greenblatt RB. The in vivo conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione to testosterone in the human. Acta Endocrinologica 1962;41:400–6.

2. Leder BZ, Longcope C, Catlin DH, et al. Oral androstenedione administration and serum testosterone concentrations in young men. JAMA 2000;283:779–82.

3. King DS, Sharp RL, Vukovich MD, et al. Effect of oral androstenedione on serum testosterone and adaptations to resistance training in young men: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1999;281:2020–8.

4. Rasmussen BB, Volpi E, Gore DC, Wolfe RR. Androstenedione does not stimulate muscle protein anabolism in young healthy men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:55–9.

5. Rasmussen BB, Volpi E, Gore DC, Wolfe RR. Androstenedione does not stimulate muscle protein anabolism in young healthy men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:55–9.

6. King DS, Sharp RL, Vukovich MD, et al. Effect of oral androstenedione on serum testosterone and adaptations to resistance training in young men: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1999;281:2020–8.

7. Miyamoto H, Yeh S, Lardy H, et al. Delta5-androstenediol is a natural hormone with androgenic activity in human prostate cancer cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998;95:11083–8.

8. Padgett DA, Sheridan JF. Androstenediol (AED) prevents neuroendocrine-mediated suppression of the immune response to an influenza viral infection. J Neuroimmunol 1999;98:121–9.

9. Lea CK, Moxham V, Reed MJ, Flanagan AM. Androstenedione treatment reduces loss of cancellous bone volume in ovariectomised rats in a dose-responsive manner and the effect is not mediated by oestrogen. J Endocrinol 1998;156:331–9.

10. Saden-Krehula M, Tajic M, Kolbah D. Testosterone, epitestosterone and androstenedione in the pollen of Scotch Pine P. silvestris L. Experientia 1993;27:108–9.

11. Longcope C. Androgen metabolism and the menopause. Semin Reprod Endocrinol 1998;16:111–5.

12. Jiroutek MR, Chen MH, Johnston CC, Longcope C. Changes in reproductive hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin in a group of postmenopausal women measured over 10 years. Menopause 1998;5:90–4.

13. Szymczak J, Milewicz A, Thijssen JH, et al. Concentration of sex steroids in adipose tissue after menopause. Steroids 1998;63:319–21.

14. De Lorenzo A, Lello S, Andreoli A, et al. Body composition and androgen pattern in the early period of postmenopause. Gynecol Endocrinol 1998;12:171–7.

15. Vilarinho ST, Costallat LT. Evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in males with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol 1998;25:1097–103.

16. King DS, Sharp RL, Vukovich MD, et al. Effect of oral androstenedione on serum testosterone and adaptations to resistance training in young men: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1999;281:2020–8.

17. Habenicht UF, Schwarz K, Neumann F, El Etreby MF. Induction of estrogen-related hyperplastic changes in the prostate of the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) by androstenedione and its antagonization by the aromatase inhibitor 1-methyl-androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione. Prostate 1987;11:313–26.