Androstenedione Test
About Androstenedione Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | A4 Test, 4-Androstenedione Test, Delta-4-Androstenedione Test, Andro Test, Serum Androstenedione |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (serum) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 2 to 5 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; commonly ordered for women with hormone imbalance symptoms and children with early or delayed puberty |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,000 |
What Is an Androstenedione Test?
The Androstenedione test is a blood test that measures the level of androstenedione, a steroid hormone, in the body. Also called the A4 test or Delta-4-Androstenedione test, it helps doctors assess how well the adrenal glands, ovaries, or testicles are functioning.
A venous blood sample is collected from the arm and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Doctors commonly order this test when symptoms suggest a hormonal imbalance.
What Does an Androstenedione Test Measure?
The Androstenedione blood test measures a single hormone: androstenedione. Here is what makes it clinically useful.
Androstenedione is a steroid hormone that the body uses as a building block to produce more potent hormones. Depending on what the body needs, it can be converted into testosterone or oestrogen. Although often labelled a "male" hormone, it is present in both men and women and is produced by the adrenal glands (two small glands that sit above the kidneys), the ovaries in women, and the testicles in men.
Because of where it comes from, measuring androstenedione can indicate:
- How well the adrenal glands are producing androgens (male-type hormones)
- Whether the ovaries or testicles are functioning normally
- Whether excess androgen production may be driving certain symptoms
Why Is an Androstenedione Test Done?
A doctor may order a 4-Androstenedione test for several reasons, ranging from investigating symptoms to tracking the progress of a known condition.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms often prompt a doctor to request this test:
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods in women
- Excessive facial or body hair (a condition called hirsutism)
- Persistent or severe acne
- Unexplained infertility
- Early puberty (precocious puberty) in children
- Delayed puberty in adolescents
- Ambiguous genitalia in newborn infants
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The Androstenedione test can support the diagnosis of several conditions, including:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder in women
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a genetic condition affecting the adrenal glands' hormone production
- Hyperandrogenism, meaning excess male-type hormones in the body
- Adrenal tumours, adrenal cancer, or enlargement of the adrenal glands
- Premature adrenarche, where adrenal hormones become active too early in children
- Adrenal insufficiency or ovarian and testicular failure (when levels are low)
Androstenedione Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For people diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), the Androstenedione blood test plays an important role in tracking treatment. When someone with CAH is receiving glucocorticoid steroid therapy, normal androstenedione levels generally suggest that treatment is keeping excess androgen production under control.
Elevated levels, on the other hand, may indicate that the treatment needs to be adjusted. Doctors typically repeat this test every 3 to 6 months, or as directed by a specialist.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No complex preparation is needed for this test. The steps below will help you feel ready and at ease.
Do You Need to Fast?
No. Fasting is not required for the Androstenedione test. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. If your doctor has ordered additional hormone tests alongside this one, check whether any of those tests require fasting.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps can help ensure accurate results:
- Tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, or hormonal treatments you are currently taking, particularly steroid medicines
- Avoid androstenedione or DHEA supplements before the test, as these can significantly raise results
- Try to schedule your appointment between 6 AM and 10 AM, when hormone levels are most stable
- Drink enough water before your appointment to stay well hydrated
- Be aware that levels can vary naturally across the day and, in women, across the menstrual cycle
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what happens during a standard blood collection for this test:
- A trained phlebotomist (blood collection specialist) cleans the skin on your inner arm with an antiseptic solution
- A soft elastic band is placed around your upper arm to make the veins easier to locate
- A small needle is gently inserted into a vein and a blood sample is drawn into a collection tube
- The needle is removed and light pressure is applied to the puncture site to stop any bleeding
- A small plaster or cotton swab is placed over the site
- The labelled sample is dispatched to the laboratory, where it is analysed using a precise technique called liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence your results:
- Time of day when the sample is collected
- Use of androstenedione, DHEA, or other hormone supplements
- Steroid medications or drugs that affect how the liver processes hormones
- Medications that influence lipid metabolism
- Recent or ongoing stress, illness, or infection
Understanding Your Androstenedione Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed alongside your full medical history, symptoms, and other test findings. The table below shows general reference ranges for adults.
| Parameter | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Adult Males | 40 to 150 ng/dL (2.1 to 10.8 nmol/L) |
| Adult Females | 30 to 200 ng/dL (1.0 to 11.5 nmol/L) |
Note: Reference ranges for children differ by age and stage of puberty. These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can affect how results are read:
Androstenedione levels naturally rise and fall throughout the day and may also shift across a woman's menstrual cycle. Sampling at a consistent time of day gives the most reliable picture.
In people with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, levels are often 5 to 10 times above the normal range. Various medications, particularly those affecting the liver or lipid metabolism, can lower androstenedione levels. Taking androstenedione or DHEA supplements at high doses may nearly double measured levels.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
General lifestyle habits can support hormonal balance:
- Follow a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight, as excess body fat can alter hormone production
- Manage stress through regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and relaxation practices
- Always follow your doctor's guidance on any ongoing hormone-related condition or prescribed medication
Lupin Diagnostics Androstenedione Test Price and Home Collection
The Androstenedione test is available at Lupin Diagnostics with home sample collection across major Indian cities. Prices start at approximately ₹1,000, depending on your location.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹1,000 |
| Hyderabad | ₹1,000 |
| Indore | ₹1,000 |
| Bangalore | ₹1,000 |
| Chennai | ₹1,000 |
| Kolkata | ₹1,000 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website
- Choose your city and preferred time slot
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home sample collection for the Androstenedione test across cities in India. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories staffed by experienced professionals. Your digital report is delivered directly to your email or WhatsApp, making it easy to share with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Androstenedione test measures the level of this steroid hormone in the blood to assess how well the adrenal glands, ovaries, or testicles are producing androgens. Doctors use it to investigate symptoms like irregular periods, excess hair growth, and early or delayed puberty. It also helps identify conditions such as PCOS, CAH, and adrenal tumours.
No fasting is needed before this test. You can eat and drink as normal on the day of collection. If your doctor has grouped this test with others in a broader hormone panel, ask specifically whether any of those other tests require fasting.
Booking your appointment between 6 AM and 10 AM is advisable, as androstenedione levels are most stable during the early morning hours. This helps ensure your results reflect a consistent hormonal baseline.
Yes, they can. Let your doctor know about any medications you take, particularly steroid medicines, hormonal treatments, or supplements like DHEA. These can raise or lower androstenedione levels and may affect how your results are interpreted.
In women suspected of having PCOS, this test provides useful data about androgen levels. However, doctors do not rely on it alone. Results are assessed alongside symptoms, other hormone tests, and ultrasound findings to reach a diagnosis.
The procedure is generally safe and causes minimal discomfort. Most people feel only a brief, mild sting during the needle insertion. Temporary bruising or slight soreness at the collection site can occasionally occur but usually resolves quickly.
For people with CAH, androstenedione is one of several hormones tracked regularly, typically every 3 to 6 months. Because other markers like 17-OHP correlate only modestly with androgen levels, doctors also measure androstenedione and testosterone together to get a clearer view of whether treatment is working and whether any adjustments are needed.
Androstenedione Test
