Etiocholanolone and androsterone are androgen metabolites, meaning they are what is left once your androgens have finished their job. Both come mainly from DHEA, and androsterone also comes from testosterone, so together they reveal both androgen production and which route your body prefers for clearing them.
Androsterone comes down the 5-alpha pathway and etiocholanolone down the 5-beta pathway. The balance between the two pathways is important, because a strong 5-alpha preference tends to show up as acne, hair thinning and unwanted hair growth even when testosterone levels are normal. If you have not tested yet, both are measured in all three FUTURE WOMAN tests.
Let’s take a closer look at what etiocholanolone and androsterone are, why optimal levels matter, and how it can impact your health.
What is Etiocholanolone?
Etiocholanolone is a metabolite of DHEA (produced in the adrenal glands) produced through the 5-beta-reductase pathway. It serves as a valuable marker for evaluating adrenal and androgen function. This metabolite is particularly important when assessed alongside androsterone levels to understand preferred metabolic pathways.
The optimal range for Etiocholanolone is age dependant;
- Age 20-39 = 450-1000ng/mg
- Age 40-60 = 300-800ng/mg
- Age >60 = 200-500ng/mg
Symptoms of High Etiocholanolone Include:
- Inflammatory responses
- Hot flashes
- Fever
- Increased white blood cell activity
- Iron deficiency
- Elevated C-reactive protein
- Immune system activation
- Autoimmune tendencies
High etiocholanolone levels may indicate:
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) / PMOS
- DHEA/pregnenolone oversupplementation
- Androgen-producing tumours
- Adrenal hyperplasia
- Severe illness or trauma
What is Androsterone?
Androsterone is a key metabolite of DHEA and testosterone, primarily produced in the adrenal glands. It acts as a crucial indicator of androgen metabolism and serves multiple physiological functions:
- Regulation of secondary sexual characteristics
- Maintenance of bone density
- Modulation of protein synthesis
- Influence on muscle growth
- Regulation of libido
The optimal range for Androsterone is age dependant;
- Age 20-39 = 650-1650ng/mg
- Age 40-60 = 360-1000ng/mg
- Age >60 = 200-600ng/mg
Symptoms of High Androsterone Include:
- Hirsutism in women
- PCOS like symptoms
- Acne
- Menstrual irregularities
- Fertility struggles
- Signs of increased androgen activity
- Potential virilisation symptoms
Symptoms of Low Androsterone Include:
- Signs of adrenal insufficiency
- Reduced androgenic effects
- Potential hormonal imbalances
- Symptoms associated with thyroid dysfunction
- Poor egg quality and fertility issues
Understanding these three markers together provides valuable insights into hormonal balance and metabolic pathways in women’s health.
Both metabolites fall with age alongside DHEA, so lower numbers in your forties are expected rather than a problem, and the ratio between them is what your practitioner reads. If you are in perimenopause, our guide to the perimenopause hormone test covers what to test and when.
Which tests measure androgen metabolites?
Androsterone and etiocholanolone are measured in all three of our tests: the Classic Hormone Test, the Advanced Hormone Test and the Advanced+ Hormone Test with Cycle Mapping.
Cortisol is only in the Advanced and Advanced+, so if you are looking at these markers to understand adrenal health, choose one of those two.
If you are not sure which test you need, our comparison guide walks through the differences.
Next steps
If your results suggest high or low etiocholanolone and/or androsterone, this will be addressed in your personalised health plan by one of our experienced nutritionists. If you would like to learn more about your test results, remember you can purchase a 45 minute Hormone Health Consultation with your practitioner to discuss your results in more detail.
References
Antoniou-Tsigkos A, Zapanti E, Ghizzoni L, et al. Adrenal Androgens. [Updated 2019 Jan 5]. In: Feingold KR, Ahmed SF, Anawalt B, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278929/
Arias-Santiago, S., Gutiérrez-Salmerón, M. T., Buendía-Eisman, A., Girón-Prieto, M. S., & Naranjo-Sintes, R. (2010). Hypertension and aldosterone levels in women with early-onset androgenetic alopecia. The British journal of dermatology, 162(4), 786–789. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09588.x
