Clinical Usefulness of Plasma Androstanediol Glucuronide Measurements in Women with Idiopathic Hirsutism

In a study from 1987, serum androstanediol glucuronide (3 alpha-diol G) levels were found to be significantly elevated in 28 women with idiopathic hirsutism (IH), with a mean level of 487 +/- 192 ng/dL, compared to 119 +/- 37 ng/dL in a control group of 50 normal women. The study also followed 17 women with IH during treatment with glucocorticoids, contraceptives, or spironolactone for 1-4 years and found that changes in serum 3 alpha-diol G levels were consistent with clinical responses in 15 of these patients. This was in contrast to the poor concordance with serum testosterone, free testosterone, and androstenedione levels. Additionally, in patients treated with spironolactone, clinical improvement was often seen without significant changes in testosterone levels, but with corresponding decreases in 3 alpha-diol G levels. The study concluded that serum 3 alpha-diol G measurements are clinically useful for evaluating and monitoring treatment response in women with hirsutism.