The invention relates to the use of compounds to treat a number of conditions, such as a pre-diabetes condition, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Compounds that can be used in one or more of the treatment methods include 3β,7β,16α,17β-tetrahydroxyandrost-5-ene, 3α,7β,16α,17β-tetrahydroxyandrost-5-ene, 3β,7β,16α,17β-tetrahydroxyandrost-5-ene, 3β,16α,17β-trihydroxyandrost-5-ene-7-one, 3β,7β,17β-trihydroxy-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene, 3β,17β-dihydroxy-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-7-one and 3β,7α,17β-trihydroxy-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene.