Androgens

Mestanolone

A methylated androgen studied in steroid metabolism and adrenal-cell experiments; those findings do not establish a human treatment benefit.

Human metabolism research and adrenal-cell experiments; evidence checked 2026-10-01

Also known as: Methyl-DHT

Mestanolone molecular structure — Structure reference · C20H32O2

Practical use

Evidence interpretation and concrete review questions

Check the exact methyl position: Resolve mestanolone versus mesterolone before comparing evidence.
Separate assays: Cellular hormone output and direct enzyme inhibition answer different questions.
Bring the full exposure list: A metabolite finding may reflect another compound.

Effects on adrenal steroid production

PubChem chemical identity; checked October 1, 2026

Additional primary or official source

Overview

Mestanolone is 17α-methyl-dihydrotestosterone. It is different from mesterolone, which has a methyl group at another position. A human metabolism paper also identified formation of mestanolone from oxymetholone, illustrating that a detected steroid need not be the original exposure.

Risks and limitations

Adrenal-cell experiments found altered steroid production, including increased mineralocorticoid output. That raises a mechanistic concern but does not establish the frequency of hypertension or endocrine disease in people.

How to read this

This entry is useful for interpreting molecule names and laboratory mechanisms, not ranking the safety of different androgens.

Research explained

Effects on adrenal steroid production

Who was studied

Human H295R adrenal-carcinoma cells exposed to a panel of steroids and receptor modulators, with steroid output measured by mass spectrometry.

What was found

Mestanolone increased mineralocorticoid production and decreased adrenal-androgen production. Direct enzyme assays did not show simple CYP17A1 inhibition.