Androstenedione Information.

We recommend Androstenediol over Androstenedione. Its has a 3 time better conversion rate to testosterone with fewer androgenic side effects.

Androstenedione is a hormone produced naturally in the body by the adrenal glands, the ovaries (in women), and the testicles (in men). The body first manufactures then turns DHEA into androstenedione, and finally transforms androstenedione into testosterone, the principal male sex hormone. Androstenedione is also transformed into estrogen.

Androstenedione is widely used by athletes who believe that it can build muscle and increase strength. However, there is no evidence that it works. U.S. baseball fans know that the all-time single-season home run champion, Mark McGwire, used androstenedione during his record-setting season. Whether it helped is anyone's guess. Furthermore, androstenedione supplements may cause positive urine tests for illegal steroid use, due to the common presence of a contaminant (19-norandrostenedione).

Sources

Androstenedione is not an essential nutrient—your body manufactures it from scratch. It is found in meat and in some plants, but to get a therapeutic dosage, you will need to take supplements.

Therapeutic Dosages

The typical recommended dose of androstenedione is 100 mg 2 times daily with food.

Therapeutic Uses

Androstenedione is said to enhance performance and strength by increasing testosterone production, thereby building muscle. However, in double-blind studies, when androstenedione was given to men, it did not alter total testosterone levels, nor improve sports performance, strength, or lean body mass. It did, however, increase estrogen levels, an effect that would not be considered favorable. Curiously, some evidence suggests that androstenedione does raise testosterone levels in women; again, this is not likely to produce favorable results, and it could cause harm. The most consistent effect of androstenedione is to increase estrogen levels.

Safety Issues

There are concerns that androstenedione, like related hormones, might increase the risk of liver cancer and heart disease. In support of this last consideration, there is some evidence that androstenedione can adversely affect cholesterol levels. In addition, because androstenedione may raise testosterone levels in women, it could cause women to develop facial hair and other male-pattern appearance changes.

One case report suggests another potential complication with the use of androstenedione A man who was using androstenedione to improve his physique experienced priapism (painful continuous erection) for over 30 hours, requiring a visit to the emergency room. Previously, also while using androstenedione, he had experienced an episode lasting 2 to 3 hours that spontaneously resolved itself. It isn't certain that androstenedione was the cause.

The latest market buzz word is androstenedione, a direct hormone precursor of

testosterone.

Approaching Testosterone

When steroid production gets to androstenedione, it can go two ways. Either it makes testosterone or the potent estrogen estrone. (There's lots of other possibilities but I'm keeping it simple.) Which way your androstenedione goes depends on multiple controls. If your gatekeeper, luteinizing hormone is low, for example, testosterone production is low also. You can take androstenedione until it flows out your ears, but conversion to testosterone occurs only to the tune of the gatekeeper.

Worse, androstenedione itself is highly androgenic.

Androstenedione was first synthesized in 1935.(6) In 1936, world expert on steroid hormones, Dr. Charles Kochakian, was the first to show that androstenedione produced both androgenic and anabolic effects. But the anabolic effects were significant only in castrated dogs, and even then were much weaker than effects of testosterone.(7) Like dozens of other androgens, androstenedione was consigned to research limbo.

It was briefly revived in 1962, when in a crude experiment, Mahesh and Greenblatt gave normal women either 100 mg of DHEA or 100 mg of androstenedione. The doses were arbitrary, and hopelessly mismatched for both bioavailability and known biological activity, but nevertheless both hormones increased testosterone levels. The proportionately higher dose of androstenedione, caused about twice the rise found with DHEA, and increased the women's testosterone to six times above normal.

Sounds great, until you see from the data that the testosterone increase was transient, lasting only a couple of hours or so, with a peak level of only a few minutes.(8) Also, the study made no measurements of effects on strength or other performance.

Nevertheless, East German steroid doctors picked up these scant data in the '70s, and began developing androstenedione as an adjunct to testosterone-based anabolic steroids. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Dr. Werner Franke obtained State Plan 14-25, the East German steroid "bible," that detailed the steroid programs of over 200 elite East German athletes. Androstenedione featured as a nasal spray formulation, used as a final performance booster just before competition. By the time any of the athletes were drug tested, their testosterone levels would likely have fallen to within the range allowed by the testosterone/epitestosterone ratio test.

Some East German athletes, and American athletes who got hold of the sprays, have since commented that their main effects were a thundering sinus headache-and a real bad mood. Remember how a lot of the East German Olympians had such sweet dispositions?

Oral Androstenedione

Androstenedione may have affects on athletes when taken by nose, but I wouldn't recommend snorting it, or any other hormone. In any case the only supplement I know on the American market is Androstene-50 which comes as a 50 mg capsule. There are no studies of this supplement.

The only hint of a study I could find with oral androstenedione on athletes, is an anecdotal mention by Bill Phillips in his latest supplement review, of data in a German patent application. Doses of 50 mg and 100 mg of androstenedione apparently raised male testosterone levels by 140-180% and 211-237%.

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What is Androstenedione?

Androstenedione is a natural hormone which is a direct precursor to testosterone. Outlaw's Androstenedione is pure pharmaceutical grade 4-androstene 3, 17-dione; the most potent form of Androstenedione available.

Is Androstenedione legal?

Yes, Androstenedione is a natural substance found in humans, animals and in the pollen from many plants. It is produced in the gonads and adrenal glands of all mammals. As a metabolite of DHEA it serves as a direct precursor in the bio-synthesis of testosterone. The oral form of Androstenedione is metabolized, by a single liver enzyme, into testosterone.

What will Androstenedione do?

When taken orally Androstenedione will increase blood levels of testosterone. Testosterone is effective in eliciting greater gains in the gym through increasing energy, enhancing nitrogen retention and speeding up recovery time. It may also heighten sexual arousal and performance, as well as provide a greater sense of well being.

What is its effect on testosterone levels?

According to the German patent for Androstenedione, 50 mg. given orally raised plasma testosterone levels from 140% to 183% above normal. 100 mg. of Androstenedione raised levels from 211% to 337% above normal. Taken before a workout, Androstenedione will reduce the catabolic effect of cortisol production.

What is an effective dosage?

Most athletes take between 50 mg. and 300 mg. daily, depending upon the desired level of gains and the time spent in the gym.

How long will the effects last?

Blood levels of testosterone start rising about 15 minutes after oral administration of Androstenedione and stay elevated for around 3 hours. The peak in blood testosterone levels is around 1 to 1.5 hours after ingestion.

Androstenedione is a natural hormone proven to increase testosterone levels.

Are there any negative side effects to Androstenedione?

There are no known negative side effects to Androstenedione, however, all atheletes should consider the effect rapid testosterone increases have on their personality. Androstenedione will not convert to estrogen(DHEA does) so there are no negative estrogenic side effects possible.

More information on Androstenedione

Androstenedione is a natural steroid hormone available over the counter. There are several other hormones available over the counter including melatonin, DHEA, and pregnenolone. The FDA has now banned androstenedione as an over the counter supplement.

Basically, pregnenolone is converted into DHEA, which is converted into androstenedione, which can then be converted into testosterone and estrogens. Androstenedione is mostly made in the adrenal glands and testicles but can also be made in other parts of the body. Androstenedione is banned by the International Olympics Committee, professional tennis, the National Football League and the National Collegiate Athletics Association. It remains legal in professional baseball, where McGwire's admission to using it during the season when he hit a record 70 home runs boosted its popularity.

Research update

Androstenediol administered sublingually with cyclodextrin bypasses first-pass hepatic catabolism and increases serum androstenedione, free testosterone, total testosterone, and estradiol concentrations.

A highly publicized study indicates that androstenedione may not live up to its hype. The study published in the June 2, 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association compared 300 mg of androstenedione with a dummy pill in 20 men ages 19 to 29 during an eight-week weightlifting program. Researchers found no difference in strength between the two groups of men.

Does androstenedione have any benefits?

Some body builders anecdotally report that they notice increased strength on the days they work out when they use androstenedione. Others use it occasionally to boost sex drive or wellbeing. Those who are young and already have high levels of testosterone or androstenedione in their system are not likely to notice much of a sex boosting effect. Middle aged and older individuals may notice the benefits more easily.

Side effects

Androstenedione can have androgenic side effects include acne, scalp hair loss, facial hair growth in women, aggressiveness, and irritability. Chronic use can also raise levels of estrogen, something that could lead to enlarged breasts and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Prostate enlargement could be a concern in older men. Long-term effects of regular use are currently unknown.

Future potential

Doctors sometimes prescribe DHEA or testosterone to middle-aged and older men and women in order to increase libido and well being, along with bone strength. Androstenedione, the father of testosterone, may be an alternative.

Summary

At this point, based on our limited knowledge of androstenedione, it is difficult to make any firm recommendations. If you are planning to take androstenedione, either for its body-building potential (which is not proven), or its sex boosting effects (which not everyone notices), limit your dosage to less than 30 mg, and take it only temporarily, that is, for a few days at a time. Have off periods of a few weeks or months between use in order to minimize any potential side effects. Androstenedione may be beneficial to those who are found to be deficient in testosterone. It may perhaps be an alternative to testosterone replacement.

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FDA to Crack Down on Supplement Andro

By LAURAN NEERGAARD

.c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government will crack down on the steroid-like supplement made famous by baseball's Mark McGwire, telling companies Thursday to quit selling androstenedione unless they can prove it's not dangerous.

Commonly called andro, the product is a steroid precursor - the body uses it to make testosterone.

That means it poses the same health risks as directly using an anabolic steroid, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to say in warnings telling 23 manufacturers to cease their production.

Anabolic steroids, which build muscle, are controlled substances. But andro - because it is a precursor, not the steroid itself - has long been marketed as a dietary supplement, selling over the counter. U.S. law lets dietary supplements sell with little oversight to ensure they're safe.

But the FDA is citing a seldom-used provision of that law that defines as a dietary supplement natural ingredients that were on the market before 1994 - and says manufacturers must prove that any new ingredients are safe before selling them as supplements.

Andro wasn't on the market in 1994 and thus its makers failed to follow the law's safety provision, said a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The FDA expects its action to at least temporarily halt andro sales. Meanwhile, Congress is considering legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., that would permanently end over-the-counter sales of andro, as well as a new steroid named THG, and subject them to the same prescription restrictions as apply to anabolic steroids.

Andro's use skyrocketed after McGwire said he used it in 1998, the year he hit a record-setting 70 home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals. He has said he later quit the supplements.

Medical studies show andro does raise testosterone above normal levels. Side effects of elevated testosterone include acne, baldness, and a drop in the so-called good cholesterol that could lead to heart disease.

Critics are especially concerned about andro's effects if taken by children while they're undergoing puberty.

Why would any one want to take a testosterone boosting supplement?

Testosterone supplements help to build muscle and recover from injury. Most people taking the drug are looking for a faster way and better way to improve strength and endurance. Many athletes are forced to take supplements in order to stay competitive. Boston Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn said, "Anything illegal is definitely wrong…But if you get something over the counter and legal, guys in that power hitter position are going to use them." This logic not only applies to Major League Baseball power hitters, but many high school athletes.

What is Andro?

Androstenedione is a natural chemical found in the body that produces testosterone. This chemical can also be found naturally in some meat and even some plants. Androstenedione, also called Andro, can boost testosterone levels when taken orally sometimes making the person stronger. Andro was first seen in capsule form in the US in the 1990's. Its popularity has grown ever since Mark McGwire, the new Major League Baseball home run record holder, admitted to taking the supplement. The companies that are selling Andro are making huge profits off the supplement that claims to increase lean muscle mass 300%. Even though most people who take the drug don't complain of any side effects at all (according to our survey) this drug has been reported to carry dangerous side effects. Most Major League sports have banned the supplement saying it gives athletes a "unfair advantage". The NBA, the MLB, and the NHL in the US have not ruled this supplement as "unfair". There are many questions that remain about this supplement such as the long-term side effects, and how much muscle is gained by taking the drug. This supplement can be bought over the counter and is not controlled by the FDA, making Andro easy to access. Some drug chains have taken this drug off the shelf due to fear of long-term side effects. Andro can be found in some local drug chains and also on the World Wide Web. One person from our poll explains, "Andro's advantages make up for the side effects."

What about the health risk?

Most of the health risks for Androstenedione are not known, and the long-term effects are not known at all.

· Andro is a not steroid but an androgen,a precursor that requires a chemical change in the body in order to promote testerone production. However, it can have many of the same side effects.

· It might convert to the female hormone, estrogen in males and females.

· Too much Andro can shut down the production of testosterone in the body.

· In adolescents it is known to stunt growth.

How does Andro work?

Andro is first consumed orally. It is then taken to the liver where it picks up two carbons. The two carbons added to andro is testosterone. Andro is also already made in your body. The natural production of Andro is different.

What about Baseball and Andro?

For more than a year St. Louis Cardinals power hitter Mark McGwire has taken the legal supplement Androstenedione. Many people believe that the drug gave him an unfair advantage last year when he shattered Roger Maris's single season home run record. Mark McGwire insists that the drug is legal and therefore should be a focal point in the media. He said, "Everything I've done is natural. Everybody that I know in the game of baseball uses the same stuff I use." However, many other players have said that they would never a drug as strong as in Andro in fear of secondary problems. Many of these same players do not denounce McGwire for taking the drug. Mo Vaughn said, "Anything illegal is definitely wrong. But if you get something over the counter and legal, guys in the power hitter position are going to use them." McGwire's use of the drug has brought it to the forefront and now many people are taking the supplement hoping for McGwire's success. Many of these people are teens participating in high school sports. Andro has different side effects in adolescents.

Conclusion

A lot is still not known about Andro such as the long-term side effects. The FDA has no regulations against this supplement. This means that the FDA has found that the supplement is safe and will not stop any one from selling Andro unless they can prove that it is dangerous. This drug varies in side effects from person to person. One proven fact is that too much of any drug taken at one time it can cause dangerous side effects. Also it is still not known if the drug might turn into estrogen in the body. Most of the people who are taking Andro that commented on it in our survey explain that it is a successful supplement, although one man said that he lost weight instead of gaining it. The people taking this drug are mostly in the 18-30 year old range. Most people that we surveyed don't think that the media should focus on Mark McGwire's use of the supplement as well as crediting the supplement for his record-breaking home runs. The fact of the matter is that without the drug he was hitting 50 home runs in his rookie season. Mark McGwire states that "every one he knows uses the stuff he uses". He also said that if any thing really dangerous were ever found about Andro he would be willing to give it up. He states, "If anything it is for my recovery".

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