Androsterone Lowers Cholesterol and Mimics Thyroid Hormone

Research shows that the sex hormone Androsterone has the capabilities to lower bad cholesterol (LDL), and increase oxygen consumption similar to active thyroid hormone (T3).  These findings indicate that Androsterone may have the ability to keep your heart healthy while stimulating a better metabolic rate – via – increased oxygen consumption.

Researcher’s investigated Androsterones effects on 3 patients with hypercholsteremia (high cholesterol), normal cholesterol, and a patient with myxedema (hypothyroidism/low thyroid).  The steroid (androsterone), in a single daily dosage of 50 mgs was given intra-muscularly in sesame oil & benzyl alcohol.  This procedure was adhered to for 34 days.

Some interesting findings were reported –

There was a significant decline in the serum cholesterol level in all 3 subjects. The cholesterol lowering effect was most profound in the patient with hypothyroidism (low thyroid), which caused an 18 to 40 percent decrease in elevated serum cholesterol levels. The decrease was obvious in both free and esterified cholesterol fractions.

However, following the Androsterone treatment, after cessation of the steroid hormone, serum cholesterol concentrations returned to pre-treatment levels EXCEPT in the patient with hypothyroidism (low thyroid). Researcher’s experimented with several other steroid hormones only to find that they all INCREASED bad cholesterol opposing Androsterones effects.

How about Androsterones activity replicating thyroid-like functions?

It has been documented that the level of thyroid function significantly influences the production of endogenous androgen levels. People with hypothyroidism (low thyroid) are characterized by an absolute and relative DECREASE in Androsterone levels. Patients that had low and normal thyroid functions underwent cytomel (prescription T3 hormone) treatment, they produced both an absolute and relative INCREASE in Androsterone levels. Patients with HYPERthyroidism (over-active thyroid) displayed higher endogenous Androsterone levels.

It is clear that Androsterone demonstrates a thyromimetic characteristic due to increasing a person’s rate of oxygen consumption, which in turn can also lower cholesterol levels. Androsterone is pretty exciting because it seems to be a possible treatment for people displaying hypercholesteremia (elevated cholesterol) symptoms. This is fascinating because the androgens in which Androsterone is derived from are often associated with hyperlipidemic states (elevated cholesterol).

In men, androgenic hormones decline in the aging process, therefore, it may be in a male’s best interest to supplement with Androsterone to defend against atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), and a compromised rate of oxygen consumption due to decreased thyroid output.

References:

1.) Skovasted, J. Molholm Hansen , M. Kristernsen and L Korsgaard Christensen, The androsterone-etiocholanolone extretion ratio in Hyper- and Hypothyroidism. Vol. 180, fasc. 3 1966

Source: https://androseries.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/the-answer-to-lowering-cholesterol-and-increasing-metabolic-rate-androsterone/