Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men

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#adult #dietary-supplements #humans #middle-aged #obesity

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men

Pilz et al., 2011 | Horm Metab Res | Rct

Citation

Pilz S, Frisch S, ... Zittermann A. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Horm Metab Res. 2011-Mar;43(3):223-5. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1269854

Abstract

The male reproductive tract has been identified as a target tissue for vitamin D, and previous data suggest an association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with testosterone levels in men. We therefore aimed to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation influences testosterone levels in men. Healthy overweight men undergoing a weight reduction program who participated in a randomized controlled trial were analyzed for testosterone levels. The entire study included 200 nondiabetic subjects, of whom 165 participants (54 men) completed the trial. Participants received either 83 μg (3,332 IU) vitamin D daily for 1 year (n = 31) or placebo (n =2 3). Initial 25(OH)D concentrations were in the deficiency range (< 50 nmol/l) and testosterone values were at the lower end of the reference range (9.09-55.28 nmol/l for males aged 20-49 years) in both groups. Mean circulating 25(OH)D concentrations increased significantly by 53.5 nmol/l in the vitamin D group, but remained almost constant in the placebo group. Compared to baseline values, a significant increase in total testosterone levels (from 10.7 ± 3.9 nmol/l to 13.4 ± 4.7 nmol/l; p < 0.001), bioactive testosterone (from 5.21 ± 1.87 nmol/l to 6.25 ± 2.01 nmol/l; p = 0.001), and free testosterone levels (from 0.222 ± 0.080 nmol/l to 0.267 ± 0.087 nmol/l; p = 0.001) were observed in the vitamin D supplemented group. By contrast, there was no significant change in any testosterone measure in the placebo group. Our results suggest that vitamin D supplementation might increase testosterone levels. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm this hypothesis.

Key Findings

Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm this hypothesis.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 31
Age Range aged 20-49
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity
  • Testosterone
  • Vitamin D

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: vitamin-d-fertility

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09