What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Hormone and Drug Clearance: 6/10 evidence, 16 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Typical Hormone Levels and Faster Drug Clearance
Normal enzyme activity ensures efficient clearance of hormones and medications. This leads to typical baseline levels of testosterone and standard processing of drugs like lorazepam.
What this genotype means: Typical baseline testosterone levels; Standard clearance of lorazepam and oxazepam; Lower risk of hormone-sensitive prostate issues.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/C
Slightly Slower Drug Clearance and Intermediate Hormone Levels
Intermediate enzyme activity leads to slightly slower clearance of certain drugs and hormones. Testosterone levels may be slightly elevated compared to the typical baseline.
What this genotype means: Moderately higher testosterone and SHBG levels; Slightly prolonged effects of certain benzodiazepines; Slightly increased risk of prostate cancer.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Slower Drug Clearance and Higher Testosterone Levels
Reduced enzyme activity leads to slower clearance of hormones and medications. This results in higher baseline testosterone levels and prolonged drug effects.
What this genotype means: Higher baseline testosterone and SHBG levels; Significantly slower clearance of lorazepam and oxazepam; Increased risk of prostate cancer.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The UGT2B15 gene encodes a key phase II metabolizing enzyme belonging to the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase family. This enzyme is primarily active in the liver and prostate, where it conjugates glucuronic acid to lipophilic molecules to make them water-soluble for excretion. It plays a major role in the elimination of endogenous sex hormones, particularly testosterone and its metabolites. Additionally, it is responsible for clearing several widely used medications, including benzodiazepines and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Variant Impact: The rs1902023 variant is a missense mutation in the UGT2B15 gene that alters the amino acid at position 85 from tyrosine to aspartic acid. This specific change, widely known as the UGT2B15*2 allele, significantly reduces the enzyme's metabolic activity. Slower enzymatic activity leads to a decreased rate of glucuronidation for both hormones and drugs. Consequently, this variant is a major genetic determinant of individual differences in hormone levels and drug clearance rates.
Key Insight: This single genetic letter change accounts for over sixty percent of the variation in how quickly the body clears the common anxiety medication lorazepam.
Location: UGT2B15. Chromosome 4 · 4q13.2 · 68.7 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 22.8%; European 27.4%; African 16.9%; East Asian 18.9%; South Asian 30.7%; Americas 17.5%; Ashkenazi 29.8%; Finnish 19.9%; Middle Eastern 26.7%; Amish 27.2%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Global 49.3%; European 49.9%; African 48.4%; East Asian 49.2%; South Asian 49.4%; Americas 48.7%; Ashkenazi 49.6%; Finnish 49.4%; Middle Eastern 49.9%; Amish 49.9%.
Estimated AC genotype frequency.
Global 27.9%; European 22.8%; African 34.7%; East Asian 31.9%; South Asian 19.9%; Americas 33.8%; Ashkenazi 20.6%; Finnish 30.7%; Middle Eastern 23.3%; Amish 22.9%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Endocrine & Reproductive
Hormone Levels & Endocrine Regulation
Testosterone Levels. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40316537. Typical Levels.
Pharmacogenomics
Anesthesia Response
Lorazepam Clearance. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 15961980. Faster Clearance.
Pain Medication Response
Acetaminophen Metabolism. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 28663312. Normal Metabolism.
Cancer & Oncology
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 28882566. Typical Risk.
Showing effects for A/C genotype
Testosterone Levels. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40316537. Slightly Higher.
Lorazepam Clearance. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 15961980. Intermediate.
Acetaminophen Metabolism. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 28663312. Slower Metabolism.
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 28882566. Slightly Higher Risk.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Testosterone Levels. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40316537. Higher Levels.
Lorazepam Clearance. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 15961980. Slower Clearance.
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 28882566. Higher Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the A allele results in the fully functional tyrosine-encoding form of the UGT2B15 enzyme. This normal-activity enzyme efficiently processes sex hormones, maintaining typical baseline levels of testosterone and related androgens. It also ensures standard clearance rates for medications metabolized by this pathway, such as acetaminophen and lamotrigine. Studies indicate that this genotype is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer compared to those with the slower-metabolizing variant. Standard dosing guidelines for benzodiazepines like lorazepam generally apply to this group due to typical clearance rates.
Typical baseline testosterone levels; Standard clearance of lorazepam and oxazepam; Lower risk of hormone-sensitive prostate issues.
Sample genotype: AC (Heterozygous)
Carrying one copy of each allele results in intermediate UGT2B15 enzyme activity due to the presence of both the normal and reduced-function forms. This intermediate state can lead to slightly slower clearance of sex hormones, resulting in moderately higher levels of testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin. Drug clearance is also partially reduced, which has been observed in studies of acetaminophen metabolism. The risk of certain hormone-sensitive conditions, such as prostate cancer, may be slightly increased compared to the typical baseline. Standard medication doses are often well-tolerated, but individual responses can vary depending on other clinical factors.
Moderately higher testosterone and SHBG levels; Slightly prolonged effects of certain benzodiazepines; Slightly increased risk of prostate cancer.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the C allele results in the reduced-activity aspartate-encoding form of the UGT2B15 enzyme, also known as the *2/*2 genotype. This reduction in function slows the breakdown of sex hormones, leading to significantly higher levels of circulating testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin. Slower clearance is also observed for several medications, including lorazepam, which can exhibit a nearly 40% to 50% reduction in clearance rate. This can prolong the therapeutic and sedative effects of such drugs, potentially increasing the risk of side effects. Additionally, the slower clearance of androgens is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Higher baseline testosterone and SHBG levels; Significantly slower clearance of lorazepam and oxazepam; Increased risk of prostate cancer.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs2266782 · FMO3 Gene · Chr 1 · Dietary Odor Metabolism
rs12208357 · SLC22A1 Gene · Chr 6 · Cholesterol and Drug Response
rs1799941 · SHBG Gene · Chr 17 · Hormone Binding Globulin
Content updated August 2026.
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