Tests to check for androgen receptor function/insensitivity

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#1

Besides testing at the genetic level, this alternative test may provide insight into checking for androgen insensitivity syndrome (a theory some believe may be applicable to us Post-Fin).

Applicability of the SHBG androgen sensitivity test in the differential diagnosis of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, true hermaphroditism, and androgen insensitivity syndrome.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1514 … rom=pubmed

The sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) androgen sensitivity test has been used as a simple method to assess androgen receptor function in vivo.

After a short term oral administration of the anabolic-androgenic steroid stanozolol the mean nadir serum concentration of SHBG is used as a measure of androgen response.

We performed this test in order to evaluate its applicability in 16 patients with intersexual genital status: eleven with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis and three with true hermaphroditism (group I), and in two patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS, group II). Ten healthy adult volunteers served as controls.

In the two patients with AIS (group II) we found a diminished decrease of serum SHBG to 80.1 % and 80.7 %, respectively, indicating slight residual androgen responsiveness. In eleven patients of group I who were not on hormone replacement therapy, a mean nadir level of 51.7 +/- 8.7 % was found. In the controls the mean nadir serum SHBG level was significantly higher (62.7 +/- 5.2 %), probably due to interference of endogenous androgens and contraceptive medication with the stanozolol-induced SHBG decrease.

In three gonadectomised patients who were on hormone replacement therapy the initial SHBG concentration was increased (513.5 +/- 239.1 nmol/l); the mean nadir SHBG concentration of 45.6 +/- 9.8 % of the initial level indicates an increased sensitivity of the test in patients in whom the counteracting ovarian androgens are absent.

Our findings confirm that under standard test conditions the SHBG androgen sensitivity test is a simple diagnostic tool for the detection of androgen receptor malfunction.

1 Like
#2

My SHBG:

17,38 nmol/l (13-71).

#3

As of July 10, 2010

85.9 nmo1/L (17-78)

Out of range high

#4

Could be mopping up a lot your low free testosterone. Do a search on Danazol.

#5

Tks

#6

This place says they can test for it…

genedx.com/services/dis_ais.php

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)
Testicular Feminization Syndrome (TFM)
AR (Androgen Receptor)
Partial or complete androgen insensitivity has been reported. Patients with AIS may come to attention in utero because of inconsistency between pre-natal karyotype (male) and ultrasound findings of a female fetus, or at birth because of ambiguous genitalia. Alternatively, patients may present during the pubertal years because of a presumed inguinal hernia (abdominal or inguinal testes), absence of pubic/auxiliary hair, or lack of onset of menses. The mature phenotype is often “voluptuously” feminine, with very well-developed breasts and luxuriant scalp hair. In the partial form, patients may exhibit hypospadias and micropenis, fusion of the labial folds, with the occurrence of virilization at puberty. Heterozygous females may exhibit patchy changes in hair distribution and irregular menses, due to skewed Lyonization of the X-chromosome.

Using genomic DNA obtained from a venous blood sample in EDTA, each of the 8 exons of the AR gene is screened by bi-directional sequence analysis. The method used by GeneDx, Inc. to screen the AR gene identifies upwards of 95% of mutations associated with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. Clinically affected individuals with complete AIS are expected to have a mutation detection rate at approximately 83-95%, while the detection rate for individuals with milder phenotypes (i.e. partial androgen insensitivity and mild androgen insensitivity) is not precisely known, but is thought to be much lower. Prenatal diagnosis is available once the mutation in a family has been defined.

Buccal brush specimens are not accepted for this test. Please send 1-5 ml whole blood in a purple top, EDTA tube. For infants, 1-2 ml of blood is sufficient.

#7

I think a guy or guys have been tested for this and it came back ok.
Golf can you confirm?

#8

Prices and Turn-Around Time - Fees are subject to change without notice:
Test # 220: AR Sequence analysis in a new patient $ 1650; Approx. 8-10 weeks
Test # 906: AR Deletion/duplication testing (ExonArrayDx) $ 500; Approx. 4 weeks
Test # 9011: Targeted testing of a relative for a known mutation* $ 350; Approx. 2-3 weeks
Test # 902: Prenatal diagnosis for a specific known mutation* $ 2000; Approx. 2 weeks
Test # 2201: Prenatal diagnosis (complete gene) in cases where
ultrasound findings are suggestive of AIS $ 2060; Approx. 6-8 weeks