5-Androstanetriol began its journey in the early days of steroid chemistry, a time when researchers tried to figure out what made male hormones tick. In the mid-20th century, laboratories buzzed with experiments that split open steroid backbones. Biochemists discovered this little molecule as a natural metabolite of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), giving humans and primates a byproduct of hormone metabolism. They tracked it through urine analysis, learning that 5-Androstanetriol painted part of the complex picture of steroid breakdown. This small but significant compound drew attention from those studying adrenal function, puberty, and responses to stress, offering clues to how the body manages hormones in sickness and health.
5-Androstanetriol comes as a pure synthetic or semi-synthetic chemical for research purposes. Companies package it as a white to off-white crystalline powder, offering it in gram-sized bottles for academic labs, pharmaceutical exploration, and biochemical research. It carries a CAS number for regulatory tracking and a systematic name fit for chemical catalogs. Most supplies offer purity over 98%, as detected by high performance liquid chromatography, to ensure precise results in tests and development projects.
This compound features a rigid steroid structure. With its backbone of three six-membered rings and a five-membered ring, 5-Androstanetriol has three hydroxyl groups stationed at positions 3α, 6β, and 17β. Its molecular formula stands as C19H32O3, and a molecular weight hovers near 308.46 g/mol. It’s sparingly soluble in water, while dissolving better in ethanol, methanol or dimethyl sulfoxide. It melts at temperatures around 208-213°C. The solid is both stable and odorless, but like other steroids, it resists breakdown without strong acid or base treatment. Researchers know that its hydroxyl arrangement influences both its physical handling and its chemical reactivity.
Chemical suppliers include precise details on lab packaging: purity over 98%, absence of heavy metals, and minimal residual solvents. Labels show the batch lot, storage instructions, and hazard warnings. The proper hazard codes and pictograms signal issues for skin or eye contact, while a batch number allows full traceability for reproducible results. Typical vials stay sealed under nitrogen or argon to avoid humidity and light, protecting the compound from oxidation or breakdown. Shelf lives for dry, cool storage often stretch far, provided one keeps the cap on tight and avoids direct sunlight or high heat.
To make 5-Androstanetriol in the lab, most chemists start with common steroids like DHT or androstane derivatives. Selective reduction with strong reducing agents at the right temperature targets specific double bonds and carbonyl groups. Multiple-step synthesis involves careful protection and deprotection of hydroxyls, followed by selective hydroxylation at the 6β position through microbial, enzymatic, or organometallic oxidation. Each route calls for specialized glassware and an eye for avoiding overreactions that strip away needed functional groups. After multiple rounds of purification—including recrystallization and chromatography—lab staff run spectra like NMR and mass spec, verifying that each sample truly matches the textbook standard for 5-Androstanetriol.
This molecule’s wealth of hydroxyls invites chemists to make new analogues. Acetylation or etherification turns hydroxyl groups into more lipophilic versions, possibly changing how cells absorb or process the molecule. Oxidation experiments transform specific hydroxyls back to ketones, helping scientists understand how 5-Androstanetriol might interconvert with other hormones inside the body. Its saturated steroid backbone resists a lot of standard electrophilic attacks, so focused chemists use enzymes or rare reagents for site-specific changes. Each structural tweak opens a new research question, with scientists testing how immune cells or hormone receptors respond.
Different teams call this steroid by several names. Some use 3α,6β,17β-Trihydroxy-5α-androstane. Others write it as 5α-Androstane-3α,6β,17β-triol or simply 5α-androstanetriol. In pharmaceutical databases, synonyms include 3α,6β,17β-trihydroxy-5α-androstane or the tantalizing “Androstenetriol.” Major chemical suppliers list it under CAS 1852-49-9, which helps buyers sidestep confusion with similar molecules. No matter what you call it, the substance remains a familiar tool for hormone and metabolism research labs.
People handle 5-Androstanetriol following standard lab protocols for steroids. That means gloves, goggles, coats, and strictly no eating or drinking in the prep area. Powder spills can provoke allergies or skin rashes, so staff sweep up with care and avoid using bare hands. Most labs vent any dust with local exhaust hoods to keep the air clear. Disposal follows local regulations for steroid waste, using sealed waste streams. Emergency plans instruct staff to flush skin or eyes with water for fifteen minutes. Fire risk remains low under normal storage, but mixing with acids or oxidizers can spark issues. Proper training—with a real human touch, never just a rulebook—keeps most labs incident-free.
Scientists reach for 5-Androstanetriol in immunology, endocrinology, and neurobiology labs. It acts as an intermediate for mapping hormone transformations. Its distinct hydroxyl groups allow researchers to probe its effect on immune cells, often testing for changes in cytokine release or resistance to viral infections. Some projects look at how 5-Androstanetriol counteracts stress hormones, testing its ability to boost resilience in cell or animal models. It plays a role in figuring out hormone feedback loops, especially around DHT breakdown and adrenal function during critical illness. Its use rarely touches routine medicine, but for those who study hormone pathways, it’s a tool worth keeping close by.
Academic teams and biotech firms continue to test new analogues, hoping to sharpen 5-Androstanetriol’s immune-modulating properties. Recent years brought studies examining its protective effects in viral infections and autoimmune models. Every new research grant means a fresh look at how it talks to hormone and immune receptors, and how it compares to better-known steroids like corticosterone or aldosterone. Scientists hunt for cleaner methods to synthesize the compound, experimenting with biocatalysts or fermentation, aiming to crank out higher yields with greener chemistry. Cross-disciplinary meetings bring together immunologists, steroid chemists, and pharma insiders—everybody sharing data on safety, genetics, and biological impacts.
Studies on 5-Androstanetriol toxicity lie mostly in academic papers and technical reports, with animal studies offering the clearest picture. High doses spark mild liver stress in rodents but rarely match the toxicity seen in medical steroids or androgens like methyltestosterone. Cell culture work shows no major DNA damage or cytotoxicity at practical lab concentrations, but researchers keep testing for subtle hormonal changes or off-target effects. They measure hormone levels, tissue weights, and enzyme activity looking for red flags, aiming to close knowledge gaps before wider use. Safety data remain patchy, but early signs suggest modest risk given the proper controls.
Research into 5-Androstanetriol looks to answer some big questions. The hunt for steroids that boost the immune system without the side effects of classic drugs still fires up scientists. If one could tweak this molecule to keep its benefits while dialing down hormonal side reactions, doctors might wield it for short bursts alongside vaccines, cancer therapies, or shock treatments. As funding agencies warm to immune-modulating steroids, more structural analogues and animal studies will come. Technology that reads cell signals and hormonal shifts in real-time could speed up discoveries. The story of 5-Androstanetriol sits nowhere near its final chapter—each new trial or experiment might yet flip the script on hormone research and therapy in years to come.
5-Androstanetriol is not the kind of term you toss around at a dinner party, but it pops up in medical research and sports forums once in a while. People hear the “andro” part and imagine bodybuilders or performance enhancers, but that doesn’t give the full picture. In plain English, this is a hormone the body makes as part of its everyday juggling act with the rest of the steroid family. It doesn’t show off like testosterone, but its effects reach far and wide.
This molecule isn’t trying to be anyone’s hero. Instead, it steps into the chemical relay race that starts with cholesterol and ends with things like testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estrogen. 5-Androstanetriol lands in the middle of that track. Most research pays attention to its role in modulating immune responses. Certain studies noticed that higher levels seem to help the body fight viral infections, including interest in how it works during viral diseases like smallpox. Some researchers looked at its potential to slow down overreactions from the immune system, which links it to treating autoimmune conditions. These connections make it more than just a random chemical floating around the bloodstream.
Outside clinical research, you won’t stumble onto 5-Androstanetriol at the pharmacy or health store — at least not legally or safely. There was a wave, especially in the 2000s, of companies selling “prohormones” or precursor supplements that claimed to enhance athletic performance or muscle growth. 5-Androstanetriol didn’t become as famous as other muscle boosters. People in the fitness community haven’t flocked to it, probably because its action feels subtle compared to heavy hitters like testosterone. At the same time, anti-doping authorities raised red flags, and similar chemicals landed on banned substance lists because tweaking hormones on your own comes with risks nobody should take lightly.
Any substance that tugs and pushes hormone levels can trigger more problems than solutions. Look at steroids used in medicine: they support people dealing with cancer, autoimmune diseases, or severe inflammation. Used without supervision, these substances can backfire. Hormonal imbalances wreck sleep, mood, sexual health, and long-term wellness. 5-Androstanetriol doesn’t get away from those issues. Just because something starts naturally in your body doesn’t mean adding more from a bottle turns you into a healthier version of yourself.
The story isn’t over yet. Scientists study this molecule for all sorts of reasons—viral immunity, improving recovery in serious diseases, even managing stress-related responses. Mouse studies show curious effects on immune strength, and clinical work continues, especially in defense research. More answers need to be found before doctors hand out prescriptions or health shops fill shelves. The world of hormones moves fast, but the right kind of progress means putting safety before hype.
Hormones drive everything behind the scenes, and 5-Androstanetriol quietly plays its part. People should know about it because it reminds us that the body deals with constant balancing acts. Lawmakers, medical researchers, and athletes each approach these molecules from different angles, but the center point always circles back to health and safety. People can benefit only from well-studied, regulated use, so patience and caution make more sense than shortcuts.
5-Androstanetriol isn't a household name. This compound comes from the world of steroids, more specifically, it’s a metabolite of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Supplement companies throw it around as a hormone booster. Right away, anything with roots in anabolic steroids pulls up some red flags, especially if you’re thinking of long-term health.
Word on forums goes like this: folks look to 5-Androstanetriol hoping for better workouts, improved recovery, maybe a bit more muscle. Some hope it’ll balance hormones, especially if they’ve had a rough time with stress or aging. Scientific journals don’t mention it often. Most of what you hear comes from stories traded between lifters and biohackers, not white coats tracking safety for years on end.
Pick up a bottle of something with 5-Androstanetriol and hunt for solid safety data—you won’t find much. The FDA never gave a green light for over-the-counter sales, so you’re out in no man’s land compared to regular supplements. No one can rattle off long-term studies because they just don’t exist. The compound acts on your body’s endocrine system and, from experience with anabolic derivatives, those can throw a wrench into natural hormone balance pretty quick if not respected.
I’ve seen guys at the gym chase a quick fix, lured by promises thrown around on bodybuilding forums. Some end up with strange side effects: mood swings, oily skin, headaches, sometimes bloating. Others report feeling nothing but lighter wallets. If you already have health issues—heart conditions, prostate problems, or a history of hormone-sensitive cancers—the risk runs even higher. Taking matters into your own hands with these sorts of substances feels like rolling the dice in the dark.
Studies in animals, particularly mice, show that 5-Androstanetriol connects with glucocorticoid receptors, possibly messing with stress responses. The same compound helped mice recover from certain kinds of immune shock. Human research sits on the sidelines, missing in action. No published studies give us a clear safety profile for men or women using it for muscle or mood boosts. Without proper trials, doctors can’t say with confidence if it’s safe or point out all the risks.
The world doesn’t need another mystery supplement floating around health food shops. Most people buying hormone boosters would do better digging into sleep, diet, and steady exercise. Endocrinologists put it plainly: make changes that stick before grabbing a supplement that hasn’t survived peer review. For anyone tempted by 5-Androstanetriol, talking to a doctor beats taking advice from the internet. Even supplements marked “natural” or “legal” in one country don’t promise safety.
Drug rules differ from one country to the next. What you buy online this year might get pulled off shelves next year once regulators catch up. Your own health, on the other hand, doesn’t get any do-overs.
Transparency from supplement companies needs to improve. Listing everything clearly and funding real research should come before flashy social media marketing. Until then, anyone considering 5-Androstanetriol faces a big knowledge gap—bigger than the muscle boost a label might promise. It takes time to earn trust and even longer to earn proof of safety. Real health changes come from choices you can stick with, not from shortcuts.
5-Androstanetriol isn't a household name unless you stay up late reading endocrinology papers or hang around folks obsessed with hormone science. It’s a steroid, a metabolite that comes from DHEA and is related to the body’s natural pathways for creating hormones like testosterone and DHT. It tends to catch attention in research circles for its links to the immune system and stress response. The practical question, the one people actually want answered, centers around how to take it—what dose works, how safe it feels, and what you can expect from the experience.
Most folks digging into 5-Androstanetriol want more energy, faster recovery, or help balancing their hormones after long-term stress. Some get hooked by research from the ‘80s where animals under radiation had their immune systems bounce back more quickly with it. Unfortunately, human data rarely keeps pace. Most information online comes filtered through bodybuilders’ forums, pieced together from animal studies, or scattered anecdotal reports.
Whenever I ask around in actual clinics, most physicians shake their heads at the mention of designer steroids. They point out how little we truly know about the safe range for compounds like this. Standard doses in supplements, when available, tend to range wildly—I've seen numbers floated from 5 milligrams per day up through 50 or more, but hard guidance is missing. The gap between rat models and how the stuff behaves in real human bodies leaves people guessing.
Anyone thinking about using 5-Androstanetriol should slow down and ask what the goal is. Taking a hormone-altering compound without medical oversight carries risk, not just because of the potential for liver strain or blood lipid changes—common with anything tweaking hormone pathways—but because manufacturers don’t always list what’s inside. Not all supplements follow strict testing, sometimes skipping third-party checks entirely. So, what’s on the label can differ from what ends up in your bloodstream.
It doesn’t help that the FDA doesn’t regulate these compounds. I’ve seen people fall into the trap of tossing back pills bought from unreliable sources, whispering to each other about “cycles” and “post-cycle therapy” with little understanding of why the body reacts the way it does. Short-term, you might feel extra energy, maybe a bump in mood or less fatigue. Longer-term, things get murky: unexpected side effects, hormone imbalances, and that gnawing feeling that you don’t know what you’re getting.
Instead of chasing quick fixes, it makes more sense to step back and focus on lifestyle. Basic things like sleep, exercise, and balanced eating build a foundation that no supplement matches. If a person feels pulled to 5-Androstanetriol, maybe because nothing else seems to make life better, reaching out to a doctor who understands hormones deserves more attention than scrolling forums for mystery doses.
If anyone still feels compelled to experiment, small steps matter—starting low, tracking changes, checking in with medical professionals, and never trusting online hype over real-world safety. Too many people underestimate how fast things can go wrong with hormone-altering substances. Real health demands more than just swallowing something new and hoping for the best.
Walk down a nutrition aisle lately, and the number of bottles promising muscle, energy, and recovery might make your head spin. It’s easy for someone looking to get fit or healthy to fall into the trap of thinking every supplement is safe, legal, or well-understood. 5-Androstanetriol usually floats beneath the radar, which raises questions about what people are getting into if they snag it online or at a specialty shop.
This compound shows up in scientific circles as a minor androgen, usually as a metabolite floating around after the body breaks down other, more famous male hormones. In old papers, you might see it mentioned as part of hormone production, especially as a byproduct during conversion of other steroids. Most folks in gyms or wellness groups don’t talk about this one much—its cousins like DHEA or testosterone get most of the attention. Yet, it shows up in hormone-related supplement stacks and sometimes in internet forums touting edge-case muscle boosters.
Now, talking about legality in the world of supplements turns any quick search into a trip through mud. The FDA keeps an eye on anything marketed as dietary supplements, but 5-Androstanetriol doesn’t feature in major banned lists as clearly as some prohormones and anabolic steroids do. That gives a lot of folks the impression that buying or using it is open season. Still, legality in the US spins on more than what federal agencies say.
Some states treat hormone-like compounds with a heavy hand, clamping down on anything related to performance enhancement or bodybuilding. The Anabolic Steroid Control Act doesn't name 5-Androstanetriol directly, so at a glance it manages to slip through. Yet, the DEA can take action against compounds structurally similar to banned steroids. This slippery space is where 5-Androstanetriol sits. What’s technically legal today can run into trouble if the government shifts its stance tomorrow or if a vendor starts making unproven health claims.
Stepping outside of pure legality, safety becomes a real sticking point. Ingredient lists can look straightforward, but third-party testing almost never covers these lesser-known supplements. Someone trying to play it safe by ordering through a familiar website can end up with something mislabeled, underdosed, or spiked with other substances. The supplement industry, especially for muscle and hormone aids, rarely guarantees any kind of accountability. Remember the rash of contaminated supplements in the late 2010s? The lesson hasn’t stuck in every corner.
Waiting for full FDA intervention doesn’t feel helpful. Most folks just want straight answers. For someone curious or on the fence, looking for third-party testing matters. Checking state rules—especially if you’re an athlete subject to drug screens—can keep you out of trouble. The biggest change would happen if government bodies tightened up quality checks or classified these minor androgens more clearly, cutting out wiggle room for unsafe gray-market products. Buyers deserve more than a guessing game and fine print in a marketplace this crowded and confusing.
Every few years, a new compound comes along and sends ripples through the fitness and athletic world. Right now, some folks are asking about 5-Androstanetriol. If you look at the name and think, “Sounds like one of those muscle-boosting chemicals,” you wouldn’t be alone. Supplement manufacturers like to tout the latest biochemical as a ticket to faster muscle growth, greater endurance, or a way around legal issues with banned substances. People see hope in a pill, and markets jump on that demand.
This substance sits in a family of compounds related to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), one of the strongest androgens in the body. DHT itself can ramp up certain male traits but also increases risks of things like prostate issues and baldness. 5-Androstanetriol doesn’t pack quite the same punch, but it comes from a similar biochemical tree. Some claim it boosts strength or muscle gains. There’s a kernel of scientific curiosity—animal research has shown some immune effects, and it plays a role in response to radiation at a cellular level. But the jump from “reactions in lab animals” to “cut gains in the gym” doesn’t add up.
Walk into any locker room and you’ll hear stories—some fueled by hope, others by clever marketing. The cold truth is that no strong, controlled studies show 5-Androstanetriol helping humans pack on muscle or break personal records. Sports medicine researchers have poured over countless so-called “natural” or “legal” steroids, and most fade out as soon as the dust of early excitement settles. If anyone says otherwise, they’re ignoring the data. There’s no clear muscle-building pathway with this substance. Plenty of athletes and bodybuilders have shared frustration after dropping money on these “cutting edge” blends that don’t deliver results on the bench or the track.
People searching for a shortcut often ignore risk, and that’s where trouble starts. Any compound fiddling with hormones opens the door to side effects. Mess with your hormones, and you could face mood swings, acne, or issues with your liver. Since there isn’t a batch of studies looking at long-term use of 5-Androstanetriol, it’s a crapshoot. You don’t know if a supplement from an online store even contains what the label claims, or if the mix contains hidden banned substances. The World Anti-Doping Agency takes a broad stance, so using designer steroids can throw an athlete’s career off the rails with one bad test.
If you want progress, nothing beats consistency in training, smart diet choices, and sleep. Plenty of folks look for quick fixes—probably because daily effort wears people down, especially with work, family, and social media distractions pulling you in every direction. Look at the strongest, most-committed athletes out there: they chase fundamentals before chasing a miracle supplement. Science supports regular resistance training and enough protein as the building blocks for muscle. Healthy routines win over shortcuts in the long run.
Rather than gambling on something barely tested, talk with someone who keeps up with the best training or nutrition advice. Programs that monitor athlete well-being and progression make more sense. Using something like 5-Androstanetriol, without good evidence, just gives away cash and puts actual health on the line. Sport deserves real effort, not risky experiments or hope sold in a capsule.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 5α-androstane-3β,6β,17β-triol |
| Other names |
etiocholanetriol 3α,5β-androstanetriol 3α,17β,5β-androstanetriol 5β-androstanetriol |
| Pronunciation | /ˈfaɪˌæn.drəʊˌsteɪ.ni.tri.ɒl/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 1852-49-9 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1312785 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:28689 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL122963 |
| ChemSpider | 153756 |
| DrugBank | DB01538 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.213.949 |
| EC Number | 3.2.1.7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 171946 |
| KEGG | C06448 |
| MeSH | D015250 |
| PubChem CID | 91481 |
| RTECS number | DG0870000 |
| UNII | E239W47OB6 |
| UN number | UN1230 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C19H32O3 |
| Molar mass | 306.461 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.2 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 2.73 |
| Vapor pressure | 4.06E-8 mmHg at 25°C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 13.93 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 8.81 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | `-75.0·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol` |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.622 |
| Viscosity | Viscous oil |
| Dipole moment | 2.33 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 510.8 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -621.1 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4222 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07, Dgr, H315, H319, H335 |
| Pictograms | GHS06, GHS08 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315: Causes skin irritation. H319: Causes serious eye irritation. H335: May cause respiratory irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | Warning: For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-0 Health:1 Flammability:1 Instability:0 |
| Flash point | 89.3°C |
| NIOSH | Not assigned |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 25 mg |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not established |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Androstanediol Androstenediol Androstenetriol Estriol |
