Androsterone
Androsterone, a key biomarker in the assessment of hormone profiles, plays a pivotal role in the dried urine essential hormone profile for women, particularly during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. As a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and a less active form of the androgen testosterone, androsterone offers critical insights into a woman's androgenic balance. The luteal phase, which follows ovulation and precedes menstruation, is characterized by significant hormonal shifts, primarily the rise in progesterone and the relative stabilization of estrogen levels. During this phase, the evaluation of androsterone levels becomes especially vital. Elevated levels of androsterone in this phase can be indicative of excessive androgen activity, potentially leading to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles and hirsutism. Conversely, low levels might suggest adrenal insufficiency or an imbalance in steroidogenesis pathways. The analysis of androsterone in a dried urine sample provides a non-invasive, comprehensive method to assess these levels. This method not only ensures a more stable and accurate representation of hormone levels over time but also allows for the detection of daily variations in hormone production, offering a nuanced view of a woman's hormonal landscape during the luteal phase. This in-depth hormonal profiling is essential for devising targeted therapeutic strategies, particularly in managing conditions related to hormonal imbalances.
What does it mean if your Androsterone result is too high?
If Androsterone is elevated and Etiocholanalone is relatively low, the metabolism will tend to favor towards the alpha metabolism pathway. Alpha metabolites are more androgenic and beta metabolites are less androgenic.
When testosterone pushes towards DHT it has to go down the 5-alpha metabolite pathway. This can be the case in a female with, for example, PCOS. In this situation there is typically an insulin issue which pushes towards 5-alpha. When testosterone gets into the cellular space (ex. hair follicle or skin) it will shift towards DHT (via the 5-alpha pathway). DHT happens to be 3-times more potent than testosterone. In these women symptoms of high androgen, such as thinning scalp hair, facial hair growth or acne can often show.
- Androsterone is a DHEA metabolite via the 5α-reductase pathway.
- 5α-metabolism makes androgens more potent, most notably 5α-DHT is the most potent testosterone metabolite.
High levels are often seen in PCOS or over-supplementation.
Possible symptoms:
- Acne, mild.
- decrease or increase in sexual desire or drive.
- hair loss or thinning of hair.
- increase in pubic hair growth.
- infection, pain, redness, or other irritation at site of injection.
- stomach pain.
- trouble in sleeping.
Other causes of high Androsterone levels:
- DHEA, pregnenalone supplementation
- Androgen producing gonadal tumors
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Adult onset adrenal hyperplasia
- Serious illness/ shock - burns, etc.
If both Androsterone AND Etiocholanolone are high there is most likely too much DHEA producted. If this is the case refer to the "Total DHEA Production" biomarker for more information.
If the metabolic preference is towards that 5-alpha metabolic pathway (Androsterone = high), we can look at the following supplements that are natural 5-alpha blockers. Please discuss any supplement routine with your doctor first:
- saw palmetto
- stinging nettle
- zinc
- EGCG from green tea
- reishi mushroom
- pygeum africanum
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 Androsterone result is too low?
Causes of low Androsterone levels:
- Declines as DHEA declines
- adrenal insufficiency
- anorexia nervosa
- panhypopituitarism
--------------------
Low levels of androsterone in a woman's dried urine hormone profile, particularly during the luteal phase, can be indicative of several health concerns. It often points to an underactivity in the adrenal glands or a disruption in the body's ability to produce adequate amounts of androgens, which are key hormones that support various bodily functions. This reduction can lead to symptoms like fatigue, decreased libido, and a general sense of unwellness due to the hormonal imbalance. It might also reflect issues in steroidogenesis, the body's process of hormone production, suggesting a need for further investigation into the overall hormonal health.
In terms of treatment, the approach largely depends on the underlying cause of the low androsterone levels. If adrenal insufficiency is the root, therapies may include lifestyle modifications such as stress management, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet to support adrenal health. Nutritional supplements, particularly those that support adrenal function, might be recommended. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy could be considered, but this should be approached cautiously and under strict medical supervision. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional who specializes in hormonal health to get a personalized treatment plan. The aim of these treatments is to restore hormonal balance, alleviate symptoms, and improve overall health and well-being.
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.