What is α-Pregnanediol And Why Does the Hormone Zoomer Test for It?

Progesterone metabolite (5α pathway)

α-Pregnanediol is a main urinary metabolite formed when progesterone is reduced along the 5α pathway. Measuring it gives insight into progesterone production and how the body is metabolizing and clearing that hormone, which helps clarify hormonal balance and pathway preferences.

View Hormone Zoomer

α-Pregnanediol

Quality and Security

High-quality testing run in a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab in Santa Clara, California.

fortified-health-HIPAA-compliance-pqgjtx4popoe2n0arp68hrz8h2as5rlhgng5b2srk8 1

About α-Pregnanediol

${ activeTab.tab_content.text }

View ${ activeTab.tab_content.btn_label }

About α-Pregnanediol

Overview and History

α-Pregnanediol (often reported as 5α-pregnanediol) is a steroid metabolite produced when progesterone is converted by 5α-reductase enzymes and subsequently processed for renal excretion. It is measured in urine, typically as conjugated forms (glucuronides or sulfates), and reflects downstream steroid processing rather than the parent hormone level at a single moment. Historically, urinary pregnanediol measurements have been used to estimate luteal progesterone production and to study steroid clearance pathways. Biochemically, its levels depend on progesterone synthesis (ovarian or adrenal sources), enzymatic pathway activity (5α vs 5β reduction), and renal phase II conjugation and excretion capacity.

Interpreting Highs and Lows

Elevated α-pregnanediol may indicate higher progesterone turnover through the 5α-reductase pathway, increased overall progesterone production, or recent exposure to exogenous progestogens; it can also reflect faster metabolic clearance. Low α-pregnanediol may indicate lower progesterone production, reduced 5α conversion, or altered clearance leading to less urinary excretion. Interpretation requires the full Hormone Zoomer context—compare with serum or salivary progesterone, other progesterone metabolites, 5β-pathway markers, and adrenal steroid data to distinguish production versus metabolism effects.

Featured Test

Included in the Hormone Zoomer to map progesterone production and the balance of metabolic pathways (5α versus 5β). α-Pregnanediol helps reveal whether hormonal symptoms are linked to low output, pathway preference, or altered clearance, and it refines interpretation when combined with sex hormone, adrenal, and metabolite data.

View Hormone Zoomer

α-Pregnanediol FAQs

What is α-Pregnanediol and why is it important?

α-Pregnanediol is a urine-based breakdown product of progesterone formed via the 5α pathway. It helps show how much progesterone the body makes and which metabolic route predominates. That information supports understanding of hormonal patterns that can affect cycles, mood, sleep, and energy regulation.

What does it mean if my α-Pregnanediol levels are low?

Low α-pregnanediol suggests either lower progesterone production or reduced conversion through the 5α pathway, or altered clearance reducing urinary excretion. In isolation it’s not definitive; comparing it with progesterone, other metabolites, and adrenal markers on the full panel helps clarify whether production or metabolism is the main driver.

What does it mean if my α-Pregnanediol levels are high?

Higher α-pregnanediol can reflect increased progesterone turnover via the 5α pathway, higher overall progesterone availability, or recent exogenous progestogen exposure. Accurate interpretation depends on the full Hormone Zoomer profile to separate production increases from shifts in metabolic routing or clearance.

Why is α-Pregnanediol included in the Hormone Zoomer?

Measuring α-pregnanediol lets clinicians distinguish progesterone production versus metabolism and identify pathway preference toward 5α reduction. When integrated with estrogens, other progesterone metabolites, adrenal markers, and cortisol timing, it sharpens pattern recognition and supports more precise, individualized evaluation.

Browse Articles

Introducing Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) Thumbnail

Introducing the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR): Raising the Bar in Hormone Health Insights

Hormones regulate nearly every system in the body, metabolism, mood, sleep, fertility, and resilience to stress. When these rhythms are disrupted, the...

Christopher McLaughlin

Nov 4, 2025

Hormones Research & Innovation

Menopause: Managing Autoimmunity in the Post-Ovarian Centric Landscape

For women, menopause marks the end of reproductive capacity, but not the end of hormone activity. Once ovarian hormone production stops, the body depe...

Alison Bame, RD, CFMP

Sep 8, 2025

Hormones

When Hormone Cycles Collide with Autoimmunity

Understanding Menstrual-Driven Immune Flares and Clinical Testing Strategies Many women with autoimmune conditions report that their autoimmune sympto...

Alison Bame, RD, CFMP

Jul 14, 2025

Hormones Autoimmunity

Endocrine Disruptors & Hormone Imbalance: What You Don’t Eliminate Can Hurt You

When it comes to hormone health, the hormones that your body makes are only half the story. What the body eliminates—or doesn’t—is just as critical. E...

Kate Motz, FDN-P, NBC-HWC

Jul 14, 2025

Hormones

About Vibrant:

The Experts Behind  Every Test

Our team is built on collaboration across disciplines to advance the science of wellness and longevity. At Vibrant Wellness, lab scientists, technologists, clinical researchers, doctors, practitioners, longevity advisors, engineers, and regulatory experts work side by side to transform diagnostics.

By uniting diverse expertise under one mission, we pioneer precision testing that empowers providers to uncover root causes, personalize care plans, and optimize patient health outcomes. Every test we develop reflects this commitment—to push boundaries in functional medicine, deliver clear, actionable insights, and support clinicians in helping patients live healthier, longer lives.

View All Tests

Results trusted by over 18,000 functional wellness professionals

We’re the leading provider of specialty wellness lab testing because we develop our testing with rigorous, ongoing research by top clinical experts, doctors, and scientists.

The gold standard of accuracy in  the lab industry

Our tests run on a proprietary 3Dense microchip technology platform that boasts unrivaled specificity and sensitivity. While most other labs carry only CLIA certification, we're CAP-accredited by the College of American Pathologists.

Our Clinical Support Team

We understand that patient care doesn't end with diagnosis. To achieve Vibrant health, patients need clinical support and
obtainable lifestyle changes. Our clinical support team helps providers make informed treatment recommendations, resulting in  better patient outcomes.

Mary Beth Augustine

DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator

Suzanne Barker

MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator

Suzette Garcia

MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator

Brooke Mader Ganev

MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator

Adair Anderson

MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator

Lillie Luu Nguyen

DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator

Jason Barker

ND- Clinical Educator

Emaline Brown

ND- Clinical Educator

Dana Filatova

DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator

Jessy Dhanjal

ND- Clinical Educator

Nour Amri

MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator

Ready to Elevate Your Approach to Precision Wellness?

At Vibrant Wellness, we’re redefining the future of diagnostics—making complex science clear, accessible, and actionable. Whether you're a provider advancing personalized care or a patient seeking data-driven answers, our precision testing gives you the clarity to make informed decisions. Experience the next generation of functional medicine through clinically validated insights and seamless testing solutions.

Become a Provider

Become a Patient