Androstenedione is a steroid hormone. It is used to make medicine.
With the help of androstenedione, the hormone testosterone is produced at a higher rate, which improves athletic performance, muscle growth, fat loss, energy levels, the health of red blood cells, and sexual desire and performance.
With the use of androstenedione by elite athletes like baseball home run batter Mark McGwire and others, the supplement gained notoriety. The Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 was enacted in the United States in January 2005. By this, androstenedione was downgraded from a dietary supplement to a category III restricted substance—an anabolic steroid—.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) classifies androstenedione as a prohibited drug.
How Does it Function?
The body uses androstenedione, a steroid hormone, to produce estrogen and testosterone.
Role During Adolescence and Puberty
Children’s adrenal glands begin to create more and more DHEA around the age of seven. As a result, their body odor develops, their bones begin to age, and their skin produces more oil. This is known as the adrenarche, which literally means “the awakening of the adrenal gland,” and is regarded as an early stage of puberty. Different processes are in place to regulate puberty.
Androstenedione rises together with DHEA. Androstenedione levels in children increase from almost zero at age 4 to their peak at 18. Their androstenedione levels start to fall as they reach adulthood.
Instead of the adrenal gland, the ovaries and testicles create the majority of androstenedione in adults.
The Legality of Androstenedione
The FDA unilaterally outlawed the sale of androstenedione supplements in March 2004 after deeming them “adulterated” goods that endanger consumers’ health. Androstenedione was formally classified as an anabolic steroid when the US Congress passed the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 later that year.
Although androstenedione belongs to the same class as other anabolic steroids, its structural similarities to other hormone precursors, such as DHEA, are greater.
Currently, androstenedione is a schedule III medication (under the Controlled Substance Act). This indicates that its usage and sale are totally prohibited. Androstenedione shares the same legal standing as ketamine in the US. In contrast to ketamine, Androstenedione has no known medicinal use.
In a nutshell, androstenedione possession is illegal under federal law. Androstenedione use is strictly discouraged for any reason.
Previous Uses
Androstenedione cannot be used as a supplement because it is prohibited to possess, buy, or sell it. In 2004, the FDA outlawed it along with other anabolic steroids. Androstenedione use is strictly discouraged for any reason.
Before it was classed as a steroid, people used it to boost testosterone, increase energy, and reduce body fat.
Levels of Testosterone
At one trial, androstenedione supplementation increased testosterone, but only when taken daily at levels of 300 mg or more. However, testosterone levels stabilized after twelve weeks of treatment. Estrogen levels were dramatically increased at the same time.
Androstenedione is a steroid prohormone, which implies that it can be converted to estrogen in the body, which is most likely why it increases estrogen levels.
One week of androstenedione supplementation boosted testosterone synthesis without raising estrogen in a group of older men who exercised with resistance. The authors recommended short bursts of androstenedione supplementation as a potential treatment for low testosterone in older men, but this was not further explored.
Increasing Energy
Androstenedione users who expect a surge in energy can be let down. Most research has not discovered any improvement in athletic performance or energy following androstenedione administration.
Losing Weight
It’s improbable that androstenedione will aid in weight loss. In fact, it may increase muscle mass without modifying fat mass by momentarily raising testosterone, resulting in an overall gain in body weight. Estrogen levels increase over time, which could lead to an increase in fat mass.
Osteoporosis
Women with osteoporosis had significantly lower blood levels of androstenedione after menopause than women without the condition.
Because androstenedione is transformed into testosterone and ultimately estrogen, it is known that androstenedione levels are closely correlated with estrogen levels. Osteoporosis may be aggravated by estrogen insufficiency. Osteoblasts are cells that form bone, and androstenedione directly boosts their activity in cell studies.
Androstenedione’s potential for treating osteoporosis is still being researched.
Supplements Marketed as “Andro”
Supplement businesses sold various muscle-building aids under the “andro” name after the FDA ban. These have varying effects and don’t include androstenedione. Most of these are “prohormone supplements,” which the body uses to make hormones.
1-Andro
One of the “andro” replacements that are perhaps the most often used is 1-andro, which is also marketed under the names 1-androstenolone, 1-androsterone, 1-DHEA, and other variations.
The effects of prohormone supplements like 1-andro on health have seldom ever been studied.
However, one study discovered that 1-andro had both advantageous and detrimental effects. Participants reported:
- Gain in lean body mass
- Reduced body fat mass
- Increased ability to lift weights
But at a price of:
- A reduction in “good” HDL cholesterol
- A rise in “bad” LDL cholesterol
- Kidney function damage
- Liver function damage
Since the FDA has not approved these supplements for any medical use or health claim, we strongly advise against taking them.
4-Andro
Most supplements marketed as “4-andro” assert to include a substance called 4-DHEA, which is very close to the prohormone DHEA found in nature.
Although comparable chemicals have been found to block aromatase and prevent the body from converting testosterone to estrogen, 4-DHEA has not been thoroughly investigated. Keep in mind that inhibiting aromatase may harm your bones and sexual ability.
Since the FDA has not approved these supplements for any medical use or health claim, we strongly advise against taking them.
Andro400
There is no andro compound claim for this product. Instead, Eurycoma longifolia, often known as Tongkat Ali, is its active component. This medicinal plant from Southeast Asia stimulates the CYP17 enzyme, commonly known as 17-hydroxylase, which changes progesterone and pregnenolone into DHEA and androstenedione.
Additionally, Tongkat Ali has been shown in clinical tests to raise blood levels of testosterone.
Despite not containing any androstenedione or testosterone, Andro400 may stimulate your body to produce more of its own. Before using Andro400, we strongly advise speaking with your doctor.
Safety and Negative Effects of Androstenedione
A poor cholesterol profile is the side effect of androstenedione that is most frequently reported: supplementation over time lowers good cholesterol and raises bad cholesterol.
Androstenedione supplements may harm the kidneys, clitoral gland, and salivary glands, in addition to increasing the risk of liver and pancreatic malignancies, according to a lengthy study on mice and rats. The risk of malignant lymphoma and non-cancerous tumors in the testicles and breasts, however, may be reduced by this hormone.
Men appear to be more prone than women to develop liver cancer as a result of androstenedione.
Androstenedione supplementation raises both testosterone and estrogen levels. Men may eventually develop gynecomastia (the growth of breast tissue), erectile dysfunction, low sperm counts, and poor cholesterol ratios as a result.
Androstenedione may promote the growth of body hair and belly obesity in females. There may also be further modifications, such as a lower vocal pitch.
Should I Consult a Lawyer?
If taking androstenedione has caused any negative side effects, you should immediately contact a doctor. You might also want to contact a qualified class action lawyer to discuss your rights and potential compensation for your injuries.
