What is androstenedione as a dietary supplement?

Overview

Androstenedione is a hormone produced naturally in the body by the
adrenal
glands, the ovaries (in women), and the testicles (in men).
The body first manufactures dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), then turns DHEA into
androstenedione, and finally transforms androstenedione into testosterone,
the principal male sex hormone. Androstenedione is also transformed into
estrogen.

Androstenedione is widely used by athletes who believe that it can build muscle and increase strength. However, there is no evidence that it works. Furthermore, androstenedione supplements may cause positive urine tests for illegal steroid use because it commonly contains a contaminant (19-norandrostenedione).

Sources

Androstenedione is not an essential nutrient, because the body manufactures it. It is found in meat and in some plants, but to get a therapeutic dosage, supplements are needed.

Therapeutic Dosages

The typical recommended dose of androstenedione is 100 milligrams two times daily with food.

Therapeutic Uses

Androstenedione is said to enhance athletic performance and strength by increasing testosterone production, thereby building muscle. However, in double-blind studies, when androstenedione was given to men, it did not alter total testosterone levels or improve sports performance, strength, or lean body mass. It did, however, increase estrogen levels, an effect that would not be considered favorable. Some evidence suggests that androstenedione does raise testosterone levels in women; again, this is not likely to produce favorable results, and it could cause harm. The most consistent effect of androstenedione is to increase estrogen levels.

Safety Issues

There are concerns that androstenedione, like related hormones, might increase
the risk of liver
cancer and heart disease. In support of this last
consideration, there is some evidence that androstenedione can adversely affect
cholesterol levels. In addition, because androstenedione may raise testosterone
levels in women, it could cause women to develop facial hair and other
male-pattern appearance changes.

According to one case report, the use of androstenedione was associated with loss of libido and decreased sperm count in a twenty-nine-year-old bodybuilder. While a single case report does not prove cause and effect, androstenedione’s apparent ability to raise estrogen levels in men would be consistent with these symptoms.

Another case report suggests an additional potential complication with the use
of androstenedione. A man who was using androstenedione to improve his physique
experienced priapism (painful continuous erection) for more than thirty
hours, requiring emergency care. Previously, also while using androstenedione, he
had experienced an episode lasting two to three hours that spontaneously resolved
itself. It is not certain that androstenedione was the cause, but this appears to
be the most likely possibility.

Bibliography

Ballantyne, C. S., et al. “The Acute Effects of Androstenedione Supplementation in Healthy Young Males.” Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology 25 (2000): 68-78.

Broeder, C. E., 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.” Archives of Internal Medicine 160 (2000): 3093-3104.

Catlin, D. H., et al. “Trace Contamination of Over-the-Counter Androstenedione and Positive Urine Test Results for a Nandrolone Metabolite.” JAMA 284 (2000): 2618-2621.

Di Luigi, L. “Supplements and the Endocrine System in Athletes.” Clinics in Sports Medicine 27 (2008): 131-151.

Kachhi, P. N., and S. O. Henderson. “Priapism After Androstenedione Intake for Athletic Performance Enhancement.” Annals of Emergency Medicine 35 (2000): 391-393.

Kicman, A. T., et al. “Effect of Androstenedione Ingestion on Plasma Testosterone in Young Women: A Dietary Supplement with Potential Health Risks.” Clinical Chemistry 49 (2003): 167-169.

Leder, B. Z., et al. “Effects of Oral Androstenedione Administration on Serum Testosterone and Estradiol Levels in Postmenopausal Women.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 87 (2002): 5449-5454.

Ritter, R. H., A. K. Cryar, and M. R. Hermans. “Oral Androstenedione-Induced Impotence and Severe Oligospermia.” Fertility and Sterility 84 (2005): 217.