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What is androstenedione?

Androstenedione is a dietary supplement promoted to increase levels of the hormone testosterone.The FDA no longer allows androstenedione to be marketed as a dietary supplement in the United States due to safety issues, and it is banned from use at most amateur and professional athletic events.

Information about possible side effects and risks of androstenedione is very limited. Also, recent studies show that the drug's actions don't support manufacturer's claims. While a few individuals have shown increased levels of testosterone, most failed to achieve increases in blood testosterone levels.

Initial medical research has raised concerns about this supplement's safety. Doctors worry that androstenedione may increase the risk of heart disease or liver cancer. In addition, research also associates androstenedione use with increases in estradiol, a female estrogen.

Sources:
King, D.S. "Effect of Oral Androstenedione on Serum Testosterone and Adaptations to Resistance Training in Young Men," Journal of the American Medical Association 281 (1999).
Blue, J.G. "Steroids and Steroid-Like Compounds," Clinical Sports Medicine 18 (1999).
Leder, B.Z. “Oral androstenedione administration and serum testosterone concentrations in young men.” Journal of the American Medical Association 283 (2000).
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Questions and Answers: Androstenedione." www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/androqa.html. Last accessed 1/17/2007.

This answer prepared 4/20/2001.
This information updated 1/17/2007.