Allopregnanediol
Allopregnanediol, or 5a-pregnane-3a,20a-diol, is an endogenous metabolite of progesterone and allopregnanolone and an isomer of pregnanediol. Progesterone is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens and is the major progestogen in the body. Progesterone has a variety of important functions in the body. It is also a crucial metabolic intermediate in the production of other endogenous steroids, including the sex hormones and the corticosteroids, and plays an important role in brain function as a neurosteroid. In addition to its role as a natural hormone, progesterone is used as a medication, for instance in menopausal hormone therapy.
What does it mean if your Allopregnanediol result is too high?
Elevated levels of Allopregnanediol (Allo) in pre-menopausal women can have several implications and may be associated with various factors related to hormonal changes and health. Allo is a metabolite of progesterone, and its levels can fluctuate during different stages of the menstrual cycle and reproductive life. Here are some considerations:
→ Ovulation: Allo levels typically rise during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which follows ovulation. Elevated Allo in pre-menopausal women may indicate successful ovulation, which is essential for fertility.
→ Hormonal Balance: Allo is a product of progesterone metabolism. Elevated Allo may suggest a healthy balance of progesterone and other hormones in the menstrual cycle.
→ Pregnancy: In early pregnancy, Allo levels can rise significantly. Elevated Allo might be an indicator of pregnancy in pre-menopausal women.
→ Menstrual Irregularities: On the other hand, persistently elevated Allo levels outside of the luteal phase or pregnancy could be associated with menstrual irregularities and hormonal imbalances, which may require further evaluation.
→ Stress and Hormones: Chronic stress can affect hormonal balance, potentially leading to elevated Allo levels. Addressing stress management can be important for overall hormonal health.
→ Individual Variations: Hormone levels can vary from person to person, so what constitutes "elevated" Allo levels may vary individually. It's essential to interpret Allo levels in the context of the individual's menstrual cycle and health.
Overall, elevated Allo levels in pre-menopausal women should be assessed by a healthcare provider, considering the woman's specific clinical history and symptoms. It's important to remember that hormonal fluctuations are normal during the menstrual cycle, and occasional variations may not necessarily indicate a health concern.
Lowering elevated levels of Allopregnanediol (Allo) in pre-menopausal women may require addressing hormonal imbalances or underlying health conditions. Here are some steps that may help:
→ Consult a Healthcare Provider: If you suspect hormonal imbalances or have elevated Allo levels, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider. They can perform tests and provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.
→ Hormone Therapy: Depending on the underlying cause, your healthcare provider may recommend hormone therapy to regulate hormonal levels.
→ Lifestyle Modifications:
- Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can support hormonal health. Limiting processed foods and excessive sugar intake may also help.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can help regulate hormones and improve overall health.
- Stress Management: Chronic stress can affect hormonal balance. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help manage stress.
→ Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is important for hormonal balance. Excess body fat can lead to hormonal imbalances.
→ Address Underlying Conditions: Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to hormonal imbalances. Treating underlying conditions may help regulate hormonal levels.
→ Birth Control: In some cases, hormonal birth control methods like oral contraceptives can help regulate hormonal fluctuations.
→ Monitor Your Menstrual Cycle: Tracking your menstrual cycle can provide valuable information about hormonal fluctuations. Apps and calendars can help predict hormonal changes and symptoms.
Remember that hormonal balance is complex, and the approach to lowering Allo levels should be individualized based on your specific circumstances and the guidance of a healthcare provider. Hormonal changes are a normal part of the menstrual cycle, so it's essential to differentiate between normal fluctuations and persistent imbalances that require intervention.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
What does it mean if your Allopregnanediol result is too low?
Low levels of allopregnanediol on an Advanced Dried Urine Hormone Profile indicate reduced levels of allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid derived from progesterone. Allopregnanolone is involved in regulating the central nervous system, influencing mood, stress response, and hormonal balance. Low allopregnanediol levels may signify insufficient production of progesterone or issues with its conversion into allopregnanolone, which can have various physiological and psychological implications.
Possible Causes of Low Allopregnanediol
-
Low Progesterone Levels:
- A common cause of reduced allopregnanediol is insufficient progesterone, particularly in women with luteal phase dysfunction, irregular ovulation, or perimenopause.
-
Adrenal Dysfunction:
- The adrenal glands contribute to progesterone production, so adrenal fatigue or dysfunction may lead to lower allopregnanediol levels.
-
Chronic Stress:
- High cortisol levels from chronic stress can "steal" progesterone, reducing its availability for conversion into allopregnanolone.
-
Perimenopause or Menopause:
- Progesterone production naturally declines with age, leading to lower allopregnanediol and its calming effects.
-
Enzyme Activity Issues:
- Impaired activity of enzymes that convert progesterone to allopregnanolone (e.g., 5α-reductase) may result in low allopregnanediol.
-
Hormonal Imbalances:
- Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, or other endocrine disorders may disrupt progesterone metabolism.
Symptoms of Low Allopregnanediol
- Mood Changes: Anxiety, depression, irritability, or a reduced ability to handle stress due to lower allopregnanolone's calming effects on the brain.
- Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, as allopregnanolone supports restful sleep.
- Hormonal Symptoms: Irregular menstrual cycles, PMS, or menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
- Cognitive Symptoms: Brain fog or difficulty concentrating.
Clinical Implications
Low allopregnanediol levels may be a marker for insufficient progesterone metabolism, adrenal dysfunction, or impaired enzyme activity. Addressing this imbalance is important for improving mood regulation, hormonal health, and overall well-being. It is often interpreted alongside other markers in the hormone profile to identify root causes.
Next Steps
If your allopregnanediol levels are low, potential strategies to improve levels include:
- Supporting Progesterone Production: Lifestyle changes, stress reduction, or progesterone supplementation (if indicated).
- Adrenal Support: Adaptogens, stress management techniques, or dietary adjustments to optimize adrenal function.
- Enzyme Support: Ensuring adequate nutrition (e.g., zinc, B vitamins) for enzyme activity.
Always consult a healthcare provider to evaluate your results in context and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
Frequently asked questions
Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
- Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
- Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.
With a Healthmatters account, you can:
- Upload lab reports from any lab
- View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
- Track trends and monitor changes over time
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export and share your full lab history
- Access your results anytime, from any device
Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 10000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
- The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
- GI-MAP,
- The NutrEval FMV®,
- The ION Profile,
- Amino Acids Profile,
- Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
- Organic Acids Test,
- Organix Comprehensive Profile,
- Toxic Metals,
- Complete Blood Count (CBC),
- Metabolic panel,
- Thyroid panel,
- Lipid Panel,
- Urinalysis,
- And many, many more.
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.