Over-the-Counter D5 Anabolic Steroids 5-Androsten-3,17-dione; 5-Androsten-3b,17b-diol; Dehydroepiandrosterone; and 19-Nor-5-androsten-3,17-dione: Excretion Studies in Men

Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 24, Number 3, April, pp.188-193

Over-the-Counter D⁵ Anabolic Steroids 5-Androsten-3,17-dione; 5-Androsten-3b,17b-diol; Dehydroepiandrosterone; and 19-Nor-5-androsten-3,17-dione: Excretion Studies in Men

Victor P. Uralets and Paul A. Gillette
Quest Diagnostics, Inc., 7470 Mission Valley Road, San Diego, California 92108

Studies of urinary steroids were performed in males after oral administration of 5-androsten-3,17-dione; 5-androsten-3b, 17b-diol; dehydroepiandrosterone; and 19-nor-5-androsten-3, 17-dione. 5-Androsten-3,17-dione; 5-androsten-3b,17b-diol; and dehydroepiandrosterone amplify most endogenous steroids, but to a lesser extent than their D⁴ analogues do. Especially affected are androsterone, etiocholanolone, dehydroandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and isomeric 5-androstendiols. 5-Androsten-3,17-dione; 5-androsten-3b,17b-diol; and dehydroepiandrosterone elevate the urinary testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E) ratio by a factor of 2–3 a few hours after administration. This may cause a positive T/E test (> 6) for individuals with normal T/E ratios higher than 2. Most of the steroids return to their original concentrations in less than 24 h. Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstan-3a,17b-diol remain elevated for several days. A reduced androsterone to etiocholanolone (A/E) ratio may be an indication of D⁵ steroids abuse. 19-Nor-5-androsten-3,17-dione has a similar effect, except that all metabolites in urine are 19-nor exogenous steroids. Identification criteria for 19-nor-5-androsten-3,17-dione may be the same as nandrolone, that is, detection of 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone. Specific abundant metabolites of 19-nor-5-androsten-3,17-dione are 19-nordehydroandrosterone and 19-nordehydroepiandrosterone. In the later stages of excretion, higher concentration of 19-noreticholanolone relative to 19-norandrosterone specifically indicates administration of 19-nor D⁵ steroids.

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