Androstenedione for Sports & Fitness

Also known 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.

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.1

Why do athletes use it?*

Some athletes say that androstenedione

What do the advocates say?*

Some studies have found that androstenedione (andro) raises levels of male anabolic hormones, but other studies have not, and some have shown raised levels of female hormones resulting from andro supplementation. Double-blind research has found no effects of andro on strength or muscle mass gains.

How much is usually taken by athletes?

Andro is a male (androgenic) 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. One study 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.2 A German patent claims that oral andro briefly raises blood levels of testosterone in men.3 One double-blind trial found an initial rise in testosterone in men taking andro, but then a gradual decline to previous levels despite continued supplementation, suggesting that the body may compensate for the effects of andro by decreasing its own natural production of testosterone.4 In controlled studies, andro supplementation at 300 mg per day raised both testosterone and estrogen levels in one trial with men,5 but raised only estrogen in another.6 Lesser amounts of 100 mg per day raised estrogen levels in both of these studies but had no effect on testosterone levels. Strength and muscle mass gains were measured in one of these studies,7 but no benefit was found from 300 mg per day of andro during an eight-week weight-training regimen. A double-blind trial examining the effect of 200 mg of andro or androstenediol (another male hormone that is converted to testosterone in the body) in older men found no significant changes in testosterone levels at the end of a 12-week, high-intensity weight-training program. Other findings included a lack of measurable advantage of andro supplementation on muscle strength or body composition, increases in estrogen levels, a lowering of HDL (high-density lipoprotein; “good”) cholesterol, and less exercise-induced protection from age-related diseases in men taking andro.8 A combination of related compounds, norandrostenedione and norandrostenediol, given in a total daily amount of 344 mg to strength-trained men for eight weeks, also had no effect on strength or body composition.9

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.10 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.11 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 medicines may interact with androstenedione. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

Special United Kingdom considerations

Androstenedione is either not available or may require a prescription. People should check with their physicians.

Resources

See a list of books, periodicals, and other resources for this and related topics.

*Athletes and fitness advocates may claim benefits for androstenedione based on their personal or professional experience. These are individual opinions and testimonials that may or may not be supported by controlled clinical studies or published scientific articles on androstenedione. For more complete and detailed information, including references and safety information, see Androstenedione as a nutritional supplement.

References

1. 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.

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

3. German patent number DE 42 14953 A1.))

4. Broeder CE, Quindry J, Brittingham K, et al. The Andro Project. Physiological and hormonal influences of androstenedione supplementation in men 35 to 65 years old participating in a high-intensity resistance training program. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:3093–104.

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

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. 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.

8. Broeder CE, Quindry J, Brittingham K, et al. The Andro Project. Physiological and hormonal influences of androstenedione supplementation in men 35 to 65 years old participating in a high-intensity resistance training program. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:3093–104.

9. Van Gammeren D, Falk D, Antonio J. Effects of norandrostenedione and norandrostenediol in resistance-trained men. Nutrition 2002;18:734–7.

10. 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.

11. 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.