Studies indicate that vitamin D-deficient individuals that treat their underlying vitamin deficiency may experience an increase in testosterone levels.
But before you reach for those vitamin D pills, a word of caution: vitamin D supplements aren’t for everyone experiencing low T.
Can taking vitamin D supplements increase your T levels? Let’s find out.
How is vitamin D linked to testosterone levels?
Vitamin D is one of the body’s essential nutrients that play an integral role in promoting bone health and preventing osteoporosis, a condition where the bones weaken and turn brittle. Vitamin D is also crucial for optimal muscle and nerve function.
That said, does vitamin D have anything to do with testosterone? Low testosterone may share the same symptoms as vitamin D deficiency. For instance, erectile dysfunction (ED) and a low libido often accompanying low testosterone levels may also be caused by low vitamin D levels. The same can be said for symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, diminished bone density, and reduced muscle strength – all of which may be observed in vitamin D-deficient persons.
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Will taking vitamin D supplements increase my T levels?
The relation between vitamin D and testosterone isn’t clear yet; however, several studies support the claim that vitamin D supplementation may influence testosterone levels.
A study examining middle-aged men diagnosed with both low testosterone and vitamin D. After being supplemented with vitamin D, the men showed improved testosterone and vitamin D levels.
However, another study showed that otherwise healthy middle-aged men with normal T levels didn’t experience any improvements in their testosterone levels after taking vitamin D. Yet another 2020 study showed that healthy adults aged 18 to 35 experienced no changes in testosterone after vitamin D supplementation.
Moreover, male and female athletes that took vitamin D didn’t register any changes in their testosterone levels, even for participants diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency.
As we can see from the mixed results, there isn’t sufficient nor conclusive evidence to claim that vitamin D increases T levels.
What should I do if I suspect my testosterone levels are low?
The first step you need to do if you think you have low T is to get your testosterone levels checked by a doctor. Apart from answering your questions about your symptoms, your healthcare provider may subject you to a blood test to determine whether your hormone levels are all in order.
What is the cause of low testosterone?
Testosterone is a vital hormone not just in men but also in women. Testosterone supports vital bodily functions such as muscle and bone growth and development, sex drive, sperm production, and the development of male sexual characteristics in men. On the other hand, testosterone helps females support bone density, healthy ovaries, and sex drive.
Testosterone levels naturally decrease as men age, but some men experience more precipitous drops than others – causing low testosterone, which is also known as hypogonadism. Nearly 40% of men aged 45 and above have been diagnosed with low testosterone. Diseases like liver failure, certain brain tumors, and cancer treatments may exacerbate low testosterone.
What treatments can I take for low T?
Primary treatments for low testosterone include testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and medicines that increase testosterone production, such as anastrozole and clomiphene. Testosterone treatments are available in various forms, such as injectables, patches, topical gels, and creams, all of which are developed to help supplement the testosterone your body is unable to produce. However, they are taken only under strict supervision, and they’re not without their side effects.
Consult your doctor if you suspect you might have low testosterone so you can get tested and determine the best course of treatment to take.
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How is vitamin D deficiency treated?
If you have symptoms linked to low testosterone, but your blood test shows that you do indeed have normal testosterone levels, your symptoms might be related to low vitamin D levels. You’ll need to get a test to check your vitamin D levels to conclusively determine the cause of your symptoms.
Vitamin D deficiency is quite common – around 42% of Americans have been diagnosed with low vitamin D, with people with darker skin or reduced exposure to the sun at higher risk of developing it. Additional risk factors include chronic kidney or liver disease or a history of gastric bypass surgery or inflammatory bowel disease.
The easiest way to treat vitamin D deficiency is to increase your intake of foods rich in it. There are two types of vitamin D commonly found in the food we eat. Vitamin D2 is derived from plant sources, while vitamin D3 is derived from egg yolks and fatty fish such as salmon. Vitamin D3 is thought to be more effective in increasing your serum vitamin D levels than vitamin D2. The recommended vitamin D dosage to treat vitamin D deficiency is 6000 IU a day or 50,000 IU a week for 2 months (8 weeks), followed by a maintenance dose ranging from 1000 to 2000 IU daily.
You can meet intake requirements by eating foods rich in vitamin D or by taking a vitamin D3 supplement known as cholecalciferol.
Vitamin D3 is available in 400 IU, 800 IU, 1000 IU, and 5000 IU doses. Weekly vitamin D3 doses (50,000 IU) can also be bought. However, taking over the recommended daily dose of vitamin D3 may cause toxicity, albeit rare. Side effects related to taking too much vitamin D include weakness, vomiting, malaise, and nausea.
The final word on vitamin D and testosterone
The link between vitamin D and testosterone is still in the process of being assessed. Some research shows that taking vitamin D may raise testosterone levels in men diagnosed with deficiencies in both testosterone and vitamin D. However, the majority of test subjects didn’t see any changes in their testosterone levels – not in healthy young and middle-aged adults, and not in athletes of both sexes.
The best way to address low testosterone or vitamin D deficiency is to seek treatment that addresses each problem specifically. For instance, if you have low vitamin D levels, you’ll need to load up on vitamin D-rich foods or take vitamin D supplements. For low T, you’ll need to explore testosterone replacement therapy or make lifestyle changes that will help boost your testosterone.
