Vitamin D for Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Vitamin D relates to androgen status mainly through correcting deficiency, not by moving SHBG.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 1000-2000 IU/day if deficient
- Expected timeframe
- 12 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) with a fat-containing meal
- duration
- Trials ran 3-12 months
- co factor
- Evidence is insufficient. Sex hormone binding globulin is produced in the liver and determines how much testosterone and oestradiol circulate free rather than bound, and it is strongly influenced by insulin sensitivity, thyroid status, liver function, obesity, oral oestrogen and age. Observational studies have reported associations between 25(OH)D and SHBG, but intervention trials have not shown consistent change: Lerchbaum and colleagues found no significant effect of vitamin D on SHBG or free testosterone in randomised trials, and where changes appeared they were small and inconsistent in direction.
- titration
- Not applicable; 4,000 IU/day is the tolerable upper intake level
- starting dose
- Not established for this outcome. Hormone trials used 3,000-4,000 IU/day of vitamin D3
Evidence
What the studies say
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men: a randomized controlled trial
Pilz S, Frisch S, Koertke H +3 more
Total and free testosterone increased significantly in the vitamin D group while placebo showed no change
Safety
Caveats
Correct deficiency for its own sake, not to manipulate SHBG.
Less likely to help if
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