Androstenedione refers to male sex hormones. This androgen is a precursor to testosterone. In men, its production occurs mainly in the testes. In women, 60% of androstenedione is the result of peripheral transformations, 40% is produced in the adrenal glands and ovaries. In the weaker sex, the rate of formation and secretion of this hormone is higher than testosterone, and its extra-adrenal conversion to testosterone is significantly more pronounced.
The level of androstenedione is determined in the complex of DHEA-S and DHEA. This is necessary for diagnostic purposes and to evaluate the therapeutic effect in hyperandrogenic conditions.
An increased androstenedione in a blood test is characteristic of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In addition, a high indicator is detected in Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, testicular stromal hyperplasia or neoplasm in the ovary, as well as ectopic secretion of ACTH.
Increased androstenedione is observed in patients with hirsutism and polycystic ovary.
In medical practice, the determination of the concentration of the hormone in the blood serum is widely used in monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic measures using glucocorticoids in congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex, since it is considered to be the most accurate indicator than other androgens.
Not increased androstenedione, but rather, its reduced content indicates the presence of sickle cell anemia. Pathology develops against a background of ovarian and adrenal insufficiency.
Androstenedione. When to take the analysis?
Indications for the study are:
- treatment control and diagnosis of hyperandrogenic conditions;
- reproductive dysfunction on the background of hormonal failure;
- treatment with glucocorticoids.
Particular attention is paid to androstenedion by people who are professionally engaged in bodybuilding. It is believed that the hormone and drugs with its content contribute to the growth of muscle mass. However, this is not always the case.
Androstenedione is the main hormone of the adrenal gland and can be converted to either testosterone or estrogen. In the first case, its conversion is stimulated by a specific enzyme. It should be noted that in the steroid chain of conversions, androstenedione is closer to testosterone than DHEA. This leads to its greater potential for transformation. Thus, testosterone obtained on the background of the conversion of androstenedione under the action of another enzyme can go into dehydrotestosterone. This, in turn, contributes to the development of many unpleasant consequences. Dehydrotestosterone provokes both baldness of the head, and an increase in the prostate gland, as well as excessive hair growth on the body and face. In addition, he does not possess anabolic properties, therefore, does not affect muscle mass. Thus, when androstenedione is elevated, there is a chance of an increase in the concentration of dehydrotestosterone.
In addition to the above consequences, there is another complication - gynecomastia. Breast growth provokes the conversion of testosterone to estradiol (aromatization).
Despite the assurances of advertisers that increased androstenedione has an excellent effect on muscle growth, if taken correctly, hormonal “manipulations” are often unpredictable and complex processes. It must be remembered that an increase in testosterone levels with hormonal drugs undoubtedly affects the system that controls the production of sex steroids.
Today, androstenedione and its effect on humans are not well understood. In addition, when taking certain hormonal drugs, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of each organism. So, for example, in some, an increase in the concentration of androstenedione has a beneficial effect on the growth of muscle mass, while in others it causes serious problems.