Androstenedione

Women: 1.0 to 11.5 nmol/L · Men: 1.4 to 11.7 nmol/L

Ranges vary between assays (immunoassay ranges run higher than mass spectrometry), fall after the menopause and with age, and rise slightly at mid-cycle.

Androstenedione is a steroid hormone made in roughly equal amounts by the adrenal glands and the ovaries or testes. It is a building block that the body converts into testosterone and oestrogen. It is measured when there are signs of too much male-type hormone and the source needs working out.

Doctors request it in women with excess hair growth, acne or irregular periods, in polycystic ovary syndrome, and to monitor inherited adrenal enzyme conditions (congenital adrenal hyperplasia), where it is one of the hormones used to judge treatment.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Inherited adrenal enzyme conditions (congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
• Ovarian or adrenal tumours, rarely
• Cushing's syndrome
• Morning sampling and mid-cycle, slightly
• Some supplements sold as 'pro-hormones'

• The menopause and older age, in the general population
• Steroid medicines and the combined contraceptive pill
• Adrenal or ovarian failure
• Pituitary failure

• It has a morning peak and falls through the day
• It rises briefly around ovulation
• Immunoassays overread compared with mass spectrometry, so results from two labs are not directly comparable

A morning sample is preferred, and in women the cycle day may be recorded. In congenital adrenal hyperplasia the timing in relation to steroid tablets is noted.

Written by a UK consultant physician. Typical UK adult reference ranges; your laboratory's own printed range takes precedence.