Androstenedione is a male sex hormone that is produced in the adrenal cortex (zona reticularis). In women, it is additionally produced in the ovaries (ovaries) under the influence of LH (luteinizing hormone). Like the other sex hormones, it is synthesized from cholesterol and shows a circadian rhythm (highest values in the morning) and a cycle-dependent rhythm (highest values in the oocyte maturation/follicular phase). Androstenedione is an androgenic 17-ketosteroid and is a precursor of estrone and testosterone. Compared with testosterone, it has only a minor androgenic effect.
The process
Material needed
- Blood serum
Preparation of the patient
- No preparation necessary
Disruptive factors
- None known
Normal values in women
| Age | Normal value in ng/ml |
| <2 months of age (LM) | 0,15-1,5 |
| 2ND-12TH LM | > 0,75 |
| 2nd-5th year of life (LY) | 0,04-0,47 |
| 6TH-9TH LY | 0,07-0,68 |
| 10-11 LJ | 0,4-0,6 |
| 12-16 LJ | 0,1-1,6 |
| > 16. LJ | 0,18-2,68 |
| Sexual maturity | 0,21-3,08 |
| Postmenopausal | < 1,0 |
Normal values in men
| Age | Normal value in ng/ml |
| <2 months of age (LM) | 0,15-1,5 |
| 2ND-12TH LM | > 0,75 |
| 2-7 years of age (LY) | 0,03-0,44 |
| 8TH-9TH LY | 0,05-1,0 |
| 10TH-11TH LY | 0,19-1,78 |
| 12-13 LJ | 0,16-1,22 |
| 14-15 LJ | 0,21-1,43 |
| 15-17 LY | 0,31-1,71 |
| > 17. LJ | 0,44-2,64 |
| 19-40TH L YR. | 0,3-3,1 |
Indications
- Adrenogenital syndrome (AGS) – autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder characterized by disorders of hormone synthesis in the adrenal cortex. These disorders lead to a deficiency of aldosterone and cortisol.
- Adrenal hirsutism – presence of a male type of hair due to a disorder of the adrenal cortex.
- Adrenocortical tumor
- Virilization of women – masculinization associated with, among other things, beard growth, hair loss and deepening of the voice.
Interpretation
Interpretation of elevated values in women
- Obesity (obesity)
- Adrenal hyperplasia – enlargement of the adrenal gland.
- Androgen-producing tumors
- Hirsutism – male hair type
- Cushing’s disease – disease caused by an excess of cortisol.
- PCO syndrome (polycystic ovary syndrome) – disease that leads to hormonal disorders due to excessive formation of cysts on the ovaries (ovaries).
- Pregnancy
Interpretation of elevated values in men
- Obesity (obesity)
- Adrenal hyperplasia – enlargement of the adrenal gland.
- Androgen-producing tumors
- Cushing’s disease – disease caused by an excess of cortisol.
Interpretation of decreased values in women
- Drug therapy with cortisone, other glucocorticoids, or clomiphene (antiestrogen used for follicle stimulation (oocyte maturation therapy)).
- Adrenocortical insufficiency – inability of the adrenal cortex to produce sufficient hormones.
- Ovarian insufficiency – inability of the ovaries to produce sufficient hormones.
- Postmenopausal – after menopause.
- Sickle cell anemia (med.: drepanocytosis; also sickle cell anemia, sickle cell anemia) – genetic disease of erythrocytes (red blood cells); it belongs to the group of hemoglobinopathies (disorders of hemoglobin; formation of an irregular hemoglobin called sickle cell hemoglobin, HbS).
Interpretation of lowered values in men
- Drug therapy with cortisone, other glucocorticoids.
- Adrenocortical insufficiency – inability of the adrenal cortex to produce sufficient hormones.
- Sickle cell anemia (med.: Drepanocytosis; also sickle cell anemia, Engl.: sickle cell anemia) – genetic disease of erythrocytes (red blood cells); it belongs to the group of hemoglobinopathies (disorders of hemoglobin; formation of an irregular hemoglobin called sickle cell hemoglobin, HbS).
Other notes
- When interpreting the measured values, the cycle phase must always be taken into account, i.e. it is always necessary to specify the cycle day on the day of blood sampling or the first day of the last menstrual period.
