Dear Reader,

Let's first take a look at androstenedione. Androstenedione is a direct precursor hormone to testosterone, as well as to other hormones, including one type of estrogen. It is converted from cholesterol, as are all other steroid hormones. Biochemically, a reaction, or chain of reactions, occurs in order to convert molecule A into molecule B. Specific enzymes and hormones, among other things, must be present and ready to work, so to speak, for these conversions to take place. For example, luteinizing hormone, produced and released by the pituitary gland, plays a pivotal role in converting androstenedione to testosterone. Simply introducing extra androstenedione to your system does not automatically mean that all of the necessary players will be there to produce testosterone.

Yet, it certainly seems that androstenedione has helped some people, a few prominent athletes included, increase their muscle mass and recover more quickly from injury. Since no formal and methodical studies have been conducted, we do not know the mechanism by which these results have been achieved. Some medical professionals theorize that the dehydration associated with androstenedione use promotes muscle tearing and cramping.

Some sixty years ago, when androstenedione was first synthesized, it was shown to have both androgenic (male hormone-like) and anabolic steroid-like properties. The anabolic effects were considerably less than those of testosterone. Subsequent research found that testosterone levels rose after inhalation of androstenedione, but remained elevated for only a couple of hours, with peak levels lasting a few short minutes.

Beyond these cursory early studies, no research exists which thoroughly investigates the action and/or side effects of synthetic androstenedione in humans. And, since it is considered a supplement, it falls outside of the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, the androstenedione available in many health food stores is neither tested for purity and potency, nor has been studied for short- and long-term side effects.

This brings Alice back to your questions. What side effects can you expect? As for side-effects, no one can say for sure. Because it does fall under the category of steroid hormones, and because it was shown to have androgenic and anabolic properties, it may produce side-effects similar to those of testosterone-based anabolic steroids. The most dangerous of these is the increased risk you put yourself at for heart disease, certain cancers, depression, psychoses, and even extreme aggression. There are also sex-specific effects. For men, these include shrinking testes, increased hair loss, enlarged breasts, and possible sterility. Women may experience such side-effects as shrinking breasts and uterus, enlarged clitoris, irregular menstruation, increased facial and body hair growth, and a deepening voice. For more information about anabolic steroids, read Bothered by boyfriend's steroid use in Alice's Alcohol, Nicotine, and Other Drugs archives.

Is it safe? Safety can be difficult to determine when you don't really know what you're dealing with. Is it worth the risk? That's for you to decide.

For more related information, also read Wants to build muscle mass through weightlifting and a healthy diet and search through Alice's Fitness and Nutrition archives.

Alice

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