The Anabolic/Catabolic Balance refers to the balance between "growth and healing" (anabolic) and "wear and tear" (catabolic) activity in the body. Both anabolic and catabolic metabolism are essential to health. For example, a healthy body requires sufficient time and androgens to rebuild/repair cells and tissue (anabolism), but also requires sufficient corticosteroids to respond to stressors and to discharge cellular debris/toxins (catabolism). While there are no established set of biomarkers in the urine to assess the balance between anabolic and catabolic activity, combinations of various 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroysteroids have been described to assess this balance in the peer-reviewed literature. The "Anabolic/Catabolic Balance" has traditionally been described to serve as an indication of imbalances between these opposing metabolic actions in a given patient.
A low A/C ratio indicates a preponderance of catabolic activity, and may be associated with aging, insomnia, hypoxia, chronic stress, chronic illness, hyperadrenalism, hypoandrogenism, hyperglycemia, and diabetes. A prolonged catabolic shift may result in poor healing, cognitive decline, muscle and tissue degeneration, cardiovascular disease, pro-inflammatory immune dysregulation, anxiety, and depression.
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The clinical approach to managing a high or low A/C balance involves ruling out or treating associated underlying conditions. Supportive therapeutics include stress management, adequate sleep, reducing stimulants such as caffeine, reducing high glycemic load foods, and adrenal nutritional and botanical support.
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An elevated A/C ratio indicates a preponderance of anabolic activity, and may be associated with conditions consistent with androgen excess including metabolic syndrome, acne, PCOS, prostatism, and male pattern baldness.
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The clinical approach to managing a high or low A/C balance involves ruling out or treating associated underlying conditions. Supportive therapeutics include stress management, adequate sleep, reducing stimulants such as caffeine, reducing high glycemic load foods, and adrenal nutritional and botanical support.
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11-Hydroxy-androsterone (FMV urine, menopause), 11-Hydroxy-etiocholanolone (FMV urine, menopause), 11-Keto-androsterone (FMV urine, menopause), 11-Keto-etiocholanolone (FMV urine, menopause), 16a-Hydroxyestrone (16a-OH E1) / Menopause, 17 - Hydroxysteroids Total (FMV urine, menopause), 17 - Ketosteroids Total (FMV urine, menopause), 17-Hydroxysteroids, Total (menopause), 17-Ketosteroids, Total (FMV urine, menopause), 2-Hydroxyestrone + 2-Hydroxyestradiol [2-OH(E1+E2)] / Menopause, 2-Methoxyestrone+2-Methoxyestradiol [2MeO(E1+E2)] / Menopause, 2-OH(E1+E2) / 16a-OHE1 (Menopause), 2-OH(E1+E2) / 2-MeO(E1+E2) / Menopause, 4-Hydroxyestrone+4-Hydroxyestradiol [4-OH(E1+E2)] / Menopause, 4-Methoxyestrone+4-Methoxyestradiol [4MeO(E1+E2)] / Menopause, allo-Tetrahydrocortisol, a-THF (FMV urine, menopause), Anabolic/Catabolic Balance (FMV), Anabolic/Catabolic Balance (FMV, menopause), Androstanediol (FMV urine, menopause), Androsterone (FMV urine, menopause), DHEA (FMV urine, menopause), E/A: 5b/5a Ratio (FMV urine, menopause), Estradiol (FMV urine, menopause), Estriol (FMV urine, menopause), Estrone (FMV urine, menopause), Etiocholanolone (FMV urine, menopause), Pregnanediol (FMV urine, menopause), Pregnanetriol (FMV urine, menopause), Testosterone (FMV urine, menopause), Tetrahydrocortisol, THF (FMV urine, menopause), Tetrahydrocortisone, THE (FMV urine, menopause), Tetrahydrodeoxycortisol (FMV urine, menopause)
