Fast Facts About Andro

Here are some quick facts about androstenedione, compiled from the Endocrine Society, the American College of Sports Medicine and the latest scientific studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

--Androstenedione is a hormone made by the body in the testes, ovary and adrenal cortex that is naturally converted to the male sex steroid testosterone.

NOTE: A June 2, 1999 study in JAMA says there is no evidence that taking over-the-counter supplements of andro will generate increased testosterone levels, as claimed by some advocates.

--Taking andro supplements does increase levels of estrogen ? a female sex steroid, which could result in adverse side effects.

--Elevated estrogens in males may cause a drop in "good cholesterol" and put athletes at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes.

--There may also be these side effects of anabolic (muscle-building) steroids in men:

* Acne
* Enlarged breasts (gynacomastia)
* Premature balding
* Irritability, aggressiveness
* Kidney and liver dysfunction
* Testicular shrinkage
* Decreased sperm count
* Dependency

In women, there may be these side effects:

* Acne
* Decreased breast size
* Clitoral hyperatrophy
* Deepened voice
* Unwanted hair growth
* Irritability, aggressiveness
* Kidney and liver dysfunctions
* Menstrual irregularities

In adolescents, the use of andro or other steroids is known to stunt growth.

Here are some other facts:

--Andro is banned in Olympic competition, by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Football League, but not by Major League Baseball.

--The use of andro among youngsters reportedly jumped five-fold in 1998 after baseball homerun slugger Mark McGwire said he used the supplement.

--There are no long-term studies on the effects of andro.

--Because andro is unregulated, its purity and dosage may vary.

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