The invention relates to methods identify or characterize compounds that can be used to treat specified clinical disorders such as hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. Compounds that can be used in these methods include 4α-fluoro-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β, 7β,17β-
triol, 4α-fluoro-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,7α,17β-
triol, 4α-fluoro-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3α,7β,17β-
triol and 4α-fluoro-17α-ethynylandrost-5-ene-3β,17β-triol-7-one.