5a,3a-Androstanediol, a metabolite of the potent androgen 5a-Dihydrotestosterone (5a-DHT), is a significant marker in the ZRT Laboratory Urinary Neurotransmitters panel, emphasizing its role in male health and hormonal balance. This metabolite provides insight into the body's androgen metabolism, particularly reflecting the activity of 5a-DHT, a key hormone in male physiology.

In men, 5a,3a-Androstanediol is involved in several critical functions, including the development and maintenance of male characteristics, regulation of mood and libido, and influence on hair growth patterns. Abnormal levels of this metabolite can indicate issues in androgen metabolism, which might manifest in conditions such as male pattern baldness, prostate health concerns, and potential mood disorders.

5a,3a–androstanediol is a neuroactive steroid that enhances dopamine activity, important for mood elevation.

3a-Androstanediol (often abbreviated as 3a-diol), also known as 5a-androstane-3a,17b-diol, is an endogenous inhibitory androstane neurosteroid and a weak androgen, and a major metabolite of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). As a neurosteroid, it acts as a potent positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, and has been found to have rewarding, anxiolytic, pro-sexual, and anticonvulsant effects. Relative to its isomer 3b-androstanediol, which is a potent estrogen, 3a-androstanediol has substantially lower, though still significant affinity for the estrogen receptors.

5a-Androstanediol is a testosterone metabolite that is more androgenic than b-Androstanediol. It is metabolized via the 5-alpha metabolic pathway (= increased 5α-reductase activity). In contrast, the 5-beta metabolism makes androgens less potent.

Increased 5a-reductase activity may be accompanied by clinical signs of androgenicity (excess facial hair growth, scalp hair loss, acne, irritability, oily skin, prostate issues in men...etc).

5A-AD is a metabolite of 5αDHT.

Research suggests:

- that postmenopausal women may experience low levels of this metabolite.

- elevations of this pathway in females maybe due to PCOS and hirsutism.

5a-DHT is a testosterone metabolite. 

5a-DHT is essential for the development of the male sex characteristics before birth, particularly the formation of the external genitalia. In the adult, 5a-DHT is needed to develop and maintain male gender characteristics, such as facial hair, deep voice, and muscle growth. In women, 5a-DHT may induce the onset of puberty and causes the body and pubic hair growth.

Increased 5a-DHT levels are found in about 40% of patients with idiopathic hirsutism and 35% of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (=PCOS).

5a-DHT is a testosterone metabolite. 

5a-DHT is essential for the development of the male sex characteristics before birth, particularly the formation of the external genitalia. In the adult, 5a-DHT is needed to develop and maintain male gender characteristics, such as facial hair, deep voice, and muscle growth. In women, 5a-DHT may induce the onset of puberty and causes the body and pubic hair growth.

Increased 5a-DHT levels are found in about 40% of patients with idiopathic hirsutism and 35% of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (=PCOS).

5a-DHT is a testosterone metabolite. 

5a-DHT is essential for the development of the male sex characteristics before birth, particularly the formation of the external genitalia. In the adult, 5a-DHT is needed to develop and maintain male gender characteristics, such as facial hair, deep voice, and muscle growth. In women, 5a-DHT may induce the onset of puberty and causes the body and pubic hair growth.

Increased 5a-DHT levels are found in about 40% of patients with idiopathic hirsutism and 35% of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (=PCOS).

5a-Dihydrotestosterone (5a-DHT), a potent androgen, is a crucial marker in the ZRT Laboratory Urinary Neurotransmitters panel, underscoring its significance in male health and hormonal research. 5a-DHT, derived from testosterone via the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, plays a key role in male physiology, including the development of male characteristics, maintenance of prostate health, and regulation of hair growth.

5A-DHT is converted from testosterone by 5-α reductase in the ovaries and peripherally in fat tissue.

The metabolic prioritization for alpha or beta reductase activity within the progesterone pathway may be confirmatory of a general preference of metabolism. Comparing these results with the metabolic preference of androgens and corticoids may provide additional insight.

The metabolic prioritization for alpha or beta reductase activity within the progesterone pathway may be confirmatory of a general preference of metabolism. Comparing these results with the metabolic preference of androgens and corticoids may provide additional insight.

The most important progesterone metabolite, pregnanediol (PDL), can serve as a urinary marker for endogenous progesterone levels and as an indicator of ovulation. PDL exists as two isomers, 5α-pregnanediol and 5β-pregnanediol. 5β-pregnanediol represents the majority end point of endogenous progesterone metabolism and appears to have little activity within the body, while 5α-pregnanediol, the lesser metabolite of PDL, can cross the blood brain barrier and may partially agonize GABA-A receptors.