ANDROSTENEDIONE ( A4)

Androstenedione, a C-19 steroid hormone, is present in men and premenopausal women. Originating primarily in the gonads and to a lesser extent in the adrenal glands (1.5-3 mg/day), in postmenopausal women, the adrenal glands become the primary source of this hormone. This hormone plays a crucial role in sexual development and function. The androstenedione test is utilized in cases of suspected steroid abuse and in women suspected of virilizing syndromes, where the development of male sexual characteristics occurs due to elevated testosterone levels in females. This diagnostic tool assists in assessing and identifying hormonal imbalances, aiding in the diagnosis and management of conditions associated with abnormal androgen levels.