5b-Androstanediol is a testosterone metabolite that is less androgenic than 5a-DHT and 5a-Androstanediol. It is metabolized via the 5-beta metabolic pathway. In contrast, the 5-alpha metabolism makes androgens more potent (= increased 5α-reductase activity).
It's important to look at this marker and compare it to 5a-DHT and 5a-Androstanediol. If your 5b-Androstanediol (this marker) is in a normal to low level and your 5a-DHT and 5a-Androstanediol are elevated then you can do things to lower the preference of your body to move towards that 5-alpha metabolic pathway. Please refer to the other testosterone metabolites (5a-DHT and 5a-Androstanediol) for further information. If your overall testosterone is elevated, please refer to the main testosterone biomarker.
Technically, 5b-Androstanediol can also be formed from DHEA metabolites without going through the testosterone pathway, but they generally tend to correlate with testosterone production.
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If your 5b-Androstanediol levels are high and your overall testosterone levels are increased as well, please refer to your testosterone marker for more information. 5b-Androstanediol is a metabolite marker of testosterone and usually an indicator whether your body currently has a preference for the 5b (=beta) or the 5a (=alpha) metabolic pathway. The 5b pathway is believed to be less androgenic whereas the 5a pathway leads to 5a-DHT, which is the most androgenic hormone (3x more androgenic than testosterone) and can lead to various symptoms such as anger, irritation, losing scalp hair, increased facial hair, etc.
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5b-Androstanediol is a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which are androgens, or male sex hormones that are also present in women in lower levels. Elevated levels of androgen metabolites like 5β-Androstanediol in females can be associated with a variety of conditions and indicate an excess of androgens in the body.
Some potential causes or associations of elevated 5β-Androstanediol levels in females include:
→ Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, characterized by elevated levels of androgens, which can lead to irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, cysts on the ovaries, and other health issues.
→ Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): This is a group of inherited disorders that affect the adrenal glands and result in the abnormal production of adrenal hormones, including androgens.
→ Adrenal Tumors: Benign or malignant tumors of the adrenal glands can lead to increased production of androgens.
→ Ovarian Tumors: Some ovarian tumors, especially those that are androgen-secreting, can cause increased levels of androgens.
→ Cushing's Syndrome: This condition involves the overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands, which can indirectly affect the balance of other hormones, including androgens.
→ Medications: Certain medications can increase the levels of androgens or their metabolites, such as those used in hormone therapy or certain supplements and performance enhancers.
→ Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance and associated conditions such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes can result in increased androgen production.
→ Other Hormonal Disorders: Disorders affecting the pituitary or hypothalamus can also lead to hormonal imbalances, including elevated androgen levels.
Symptoms of elevated androgens in females can include hirsutism (excessive body or facial hair), acne, alopecia (scalp hair loss), weight gain, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. The clinical interpretation of elevated 5β-Androstanediol levels requires careful consideration of the patient's symptoms, history, and other laboratory findings.
Treatment for elevated 5β-Androstanediol levels depends on the underlying cause. It may include hormonal therapies such as birth control pills to suppress androgen production, anti-androgen medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery if tumors are present. It's important for individuals with this hormonal imbalance to consult with an endocrinologist or a gynecologist who specializes in hormonal disorders to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Anthony
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I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
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As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
- If your 5b-Androstanediol levels are low and your overall testosterone is low as well, please refer to the main testosterone marker for more information.
- If your 5b-Androstanediol levels are low, but your overall testosterone levels are normal (or even high) then your body is leaning towards the more androgenic 5-alpha metabolism. Please look to see if your 5a-DHT and 5a-Androstanediol levels are increased to verify this.
How to potentially address increased 5-alpha pathway preference:
If you are going down the alpha pathway towards 5a-DHT the symptoms are usually your typical PCOS-like symptoms like facial hair, acne, anger and irritation and hair loss on the head. Males might experience pattern baldness, prostate enlargement (BPH = Benign prostatic hyperplasia).
You might have completely normal levels of testosterone (please check your testosterone marker in this test to verity) and, yet, have a bad case of acne, are irritated or thinning scalp hair. If your 5alpha-DHT is increased this would be an indication that you are favoring the alpha pathway that’s quite aggressive on your skin, hair and other places. The reasons for your body choosing the alpha pathway can certainly be genetic, but it is often due to inflammation, blood sugar / insulin dysregulation, having extra adipose tissue, etc.. If you can address these underlying issues then your body will balance out the alpha and beta pathways and it will improve the symptoms.
In addition to addressing the underlying conditions (inflammation, glucose/insulin dysregulation, etc), there are things that can be done from a lifestyle perspective to mitigate the symptoms by blocking the alpha pathway, such as:
(before starting a supplement regime, please consult your doctor first)
- Zinc
- Saw palmetto
- Stinging and dwarf nettle
- Pygeum extract (bark)
- Reishi mushroom
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I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
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