The metabolism of orally ingested 19-nor-4-androstene-3,17-dione and 19-nor-4-androstene-3,17-diol in healthy, resistance-trained men.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the metabolism of 2 over-the-counter steroids (Nortesten, which contains 36 mg of 19-nor-4-androstene-3,17-dione and 36 mg of 19-nor-4-androstene-3,17-diol) in healthy, resistance-trained men. Subjects were administered either low (72 mg) or high doses (144 mg) of Nortesten twice daily for 10 days. All subjects tested positive via urinalysis for the presence of nortestosterone at days 3, 5, 7, and 10. There was no change in the urine testosterone-epitestosterone ratio at any day. Furthermore, as determined by serum chemistry tests, there was no effect on renal, hepatic, hematological, or bone marrow function. Thus, short-term ingestion of 19-nor-4-androstene-3,17-dione and 19-nor-4-androstene-3,17-diol may result in a positive drug test result without any harmful side effects.