Androstenedione

General information:

Androstenedione test measures the amount of androstenedione in the blood. Androstenedione is an androgenic hormone, a precursor to testosterone in men and estrogens in women. She is responsible for gender differentiation and development of secondary sexual characteristics. It is formed and secreted by the adrenal glands, female ovaries, and testicles of men. Its production is stimulated by the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The level of androstenedione varies both during the day and during the menstrual cycle of women. Adrenal androstenedione is the main source of androgens in postmenopausal women. Due to its origin, androstenedione is a useful marker for adrenal, ovarian and testicular function.

Androstenedione test is used for:

• Diagnosis of tumors in the outer (cortex) of the adrenal glands or other localized tumors that secrete ACTH
• Diagnosis and monitoring of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• In conditions associated with inability to conceive (infertility)
• Irregular to Missing Menstrual Cycle (Amenorrhea)
• Cases of available male physical characteristics in girls (more body and face hair, deep voice, acne, lack or irregular menstruation, male baldness, increased muscle mass)
• Early puberty in boys (increased muscle mass, pubic hair or voice mutation before the age of normal puberty)
• Delayed puberty in ovarian and testicular failure
• New-born female with external sex organs, which are not clearly identifiable

SAMPLE REQUIRED:

Venous blood in the morning in fasting

Key words:

Androstenedione test, adrenocorticotropic hormone