The human body is a unique, extraordinarily complex system. Despite the centuries-old history of medicine, until now, all the resources and capabilities of the human body have not been properly studied. Hormones are one of the most powerful means of self-regulation of the body, and in this article we will talk about one of them - androstenedione. More precisely, about what is indicated by the elevated level of androstenedione, how to reduce androstenedione, and whether it is necessary to worry if laboratory tests have shown that the hormone androstenedione is elevated in you.
What is Androstenedione responsible for?
Androstenedione is the hormone of the adrenals and gonads. It is produced in the body of both men and women. It is inextricably linked with the development of female and male sex hormones, in particular estrogen and testosterone. A sufficient amount of this hormone in the blood allows the liver and fat tissues to actively produce sex hormones.
The level of androstenedione begins to rise markedly from 7-8 years. After reaching a man of 30 years of age, the development of this hormone begins to gradually decline.
Androstenedione: the norm in women and men
The normal level of androstenedione in the blood, depending on the age of the person:
- children 1-7 days after birth - 20-290 ng / 100ml;
- Infants (1-12 months) - 6-68 ng / 100ml;
- children aged 1-10 years - 8-50 ng / 100ml;
- adolescents (10-17 years) - 8-240 ng / 100ml;
- men - 75-205 ng / 100ml;
- women - 85-275 ng / 100ml.
Noticeable deviations from the norm level of androstenedione can be observed with the intake of hormonal drugs, tumors of various etiologies and in a number of diseases.
Androstenedion elevated: causes
Causes of increased levels of androstenedione may be a disorder in the adrenal and / or ovarian function. Most often, an increase in the level of androstenedione indicates such diseases:
- polycystic ovary;
- hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex;
- the Itenko-Cushing syndrome;
- female osteoporosis;
- stromal hypertecosis of the ovaries;
- ovarian tumors of various origin and some other diseases.
The lowered level of androstenedione is observed in the absence of ovaries or the adrenal cortex.
Depending on the time of day, the phase of the menstrual cycle, the androstendione level is different. The highest rates are observed in the morning hours, and in the middle of the menstrual cycle in women. During pregnancy, the level of this hormone also increases.
Androstenedione elevated: symptoms
If androstenedione in women is elevated, most often there is excessive hair loss (hirsutism), virilizing syndrome. An increase in the level of this hormone can also cause early puberty, uterine bleeding, various kinds of malfunctions in the reproductive function of the body against the background of a general hormonal imbalance.
It is believed that the increase in androstenedione leads to a rapid increase in muscle mass, which is why this hormone and preparations containing it are very popular among bodybuilders, even though it does not have anabolic effect. Meanwhile, the harm from the uncontrolled use of such drugs at times exceeds the possible positive effect of its use - baldness, enlargement of the prostate, violation of body proportions (for example, breast growth in men), excess hair on the body - that's far from a complete list of consequences of it uncontrolled reception.
Androstenedione elevated: treatment
If the androstenedione level is elevated in women, treatment is often required. To diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment, you need to contact the endocrinologist and the gynecologist (for women) or androlog (for men).
The most commonly used: dexamethasone, clomiphene, various hormonal contraceptives. Treatment regimens, a list of drugs and therapeutic methods vary greatly depending on the causes and nature of the problem, the presence of concomitant diseases, the age and general condition of the patient. Self-treatment is strictly prohibited. All hormonal drugs should be prescribed only by a qualified specialist.