TLDR Androstanediol glucuronide is a reliable marker for hirsutism in women.
The document discussed the metabolism of androgens in women, focusing on androstanediol glucuronide (3aAdG) as a marker for peripheral androgen formation and hirsutism. It found that most circulating testosterone in women came from androstenedione conversion. Elevated 3aAdG levels were observed in hirsute women, making it a reliable marker for hirsutism, unlike plasma DHT. Studies with 54 women (30 idiopathic hirsutism, 24 PCO) supported 3aAdG as an indicator of peripheral androgen action. The study showed significant 3aAdG production in hirsute women with PCOS and highlighted the role of peripheral tissues, particularly skin, in androgen metabolism. It also noted that 5α-reductase activity (5αRA) was crucial and could be inhibited by steroids like spironolactone, though this did not reduce serum 3aAdG levels. The research contributed to understanding the endocrine control of male phenotypic development and conditions like idiopathic hirsutism.
50 citations,
August 1985 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry/Journal of Steroid Biochemistry” Spironolactone reduces the enzyme activity that converts testosterone to DHT, helping treat excessive hair growth in women.
142 citations,
February 1985 in “Fertility and sterility” Spironolactone reduced hair thickness and some testosterone levels in women with excessive hair growth.
23 citations,
May 1984 in “Journal of the American Geriatrics Society” Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia may be caused by changes in how the body processes male hormones.
179 citations,
May 1982 in “The Journal of clinical investigation/The journal of clinical investigation” High levels of 3 alpha-diol glucuronide in the blood are a marker of increased androgen action in women with excessive hair growth of unknown cause.
35 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” The exact cause of increased 5α-reductase activity leading to hirsutism in women is still unknown.
33 citations,
October 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride reduces hair growth and is safe for women with excessive hair.
25 citations,
December 2017 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Birth control pills combined with bicalutamide are more effective at reducing excessive hair growth in women with PCOS than birth control pills alone.
66 citations,
October 1987 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” Measuring androstanediol glucuronide in blood is useful for assessing and tracking treatment in women with excessive hair growth.
54 citations,
February 1993 in “Endocrine reviews” Androgen conjugates might be better indicators of skin sensitivity to hormones in women with excessive hair growth.
