Androsterone

OTHER NAME(S): 3-Alpha-Hydroxy-5-alpha-Androstan-17-one, 3-Alpha-Hydroxyetioallocholan-17-one, 5-Alpha-Androstan-3-Alpha-ol-17-one, 5-Alpha-Androsterone, Androsterone Undecanoate, Androkinine, Androtine, 3-Alpha-Hydroxy-17-Androstanone, Androsterone, Androsterona, Androstérone

Overview

Androsterone is a type of chemical known as an anabolic androgenic steroid. It is converted in the body to testosterone and other sex hormones.

Androsterone is naturally made in the body during the metabolism of testosterone. Because it is an anabolic androgenic steroid, it is believed to have muscle building effects.

People use androsterone for athletic performance, muscle strength, sexual dysfunction, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using androsterone might also be unsafe.

In the US, it is illegal to include anabolic steroids, including androsterone, in supplement products. These chemicals are also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Don't confuse androsterone with other compounds, including 1-androsterone, 4-androsterone, androstenediol, androstenedione, androstenetrione, 1-epiandrosterone, and epiandrosterone. These are not the same.

References
  1. Anabolic Steroid Act, Public Law No. 108-358, 2004.
  2. Joseph JF, Parr MK. Synthetic androgens as designer supplements. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):89-100.
  3. What Should Tested Athletes Know About GW1516? Education, Spirit of Sport. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). September 24, 2019. Available at: https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/education/what-should-athletes-know-gw1516/
  4. Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2014. Public Law No: 113-260.
  5. Zwicker H, Rittmaster RS. Androsterone sulfate: physiology and clinical significance in hirsute women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1993;76(1):112-6.
  6. Kaminski RM, Marini H, Kim WJ, Rogawski MA. Anticonvulsant activity of androsterone and etiocholanolone. Epilepsia 2005;46(6):819-27.
  7. Zolkowska D, Dhir A, Krishnan K, Covey DF, Rogawski MA. Anticonvulsant potencies of the enantiomers of the neurosteroids androsterone and etiocholanolone exceed those of the natural forms. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014;231(17):3325-32.