Androstedione Test

This test measures the amount of androstenedione in the blood. Androstenedione is produced by the ovaries in women. Androgens are a group of sex hormones that play a major role in male traits and reproductive activity. Androgens may be called male hormones but are present and produced in males and females in different amounts. The two principal androgens are testosterone and androstenedione. Androstenedione is a weak androgen steroid hormone. It is a messenger of testosterone and other androgens. It also has weak androgenic activity in its own right. It has been found to maintain some estrogenic activity, similarly to other DHEA metabolites. Also, it is used as a supplement to increase muscle strength. An Androstenedione Test measures the functioning of the adrenal gland and the production of androgen hormones in women. As the adrenal gland majorly produces androstenedione, the test helps detect and diagnose related diseases like adrenal tumours and cancers. It also helps determine the cause of male physical characteristics (virilization) in females or early puberty in boys. A doctor may prescribe an Androstenedione Test to find symptoms in men like an enlarged penis, muscle growth, pubic hair and symptoms in women like infertility, excess facial or body hair, irregular periods, hair growth, male pattern baldness, etc. Abnormal or high Androstenedione test levels may cause mild to severe health complications like an adrenal tumour, adrenal cancer, adrenal hyperplasia or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In contrast, low levels of Androstenedione may indicate adrenal insufficiency or a decline in ovarian or testicular function.