Androstenedione became well known to the public after the baseball player Mark McGwire acknowledged that he used it in 1998. Androstenedione is a hormone that is sold as a dietary supplement. In the body, it is converted to testosterone, the male sex hormone. Androstenedione is of potential interest to people with MS because it is claimed to increase strength and energy.
However, clinical studies do not support its claimed benefits. It is not clear that the doses used alter testosterone levels or increase muscle strength. Also, androstenedione decreases levels of HDL, the “good” form of cholesterol, and may thereby increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Finally, some of the hormonal changes produced by androstenedione may increase the risks of pancreatic cancer in men and breast cancer in women. Many other possible side effects may occur with androstenedione.
Androstenedione should be avoided because of its unclear benefits and its multiple possible side effects.