Vit D and testosterone

[flatscat]

Tons of info on the web, but here is a quick article to start this topic.

I supplement, but cut way back in the late spring/summer/early fall.

I don't think a lot of guys realize they are prolly deficient.

http://evitamind.com/vitamin-d-raise...terone-levels/

Any thoughts?

[GotNoBlueMilk]

My baseline D, taken in January, was 25 (scale was 30-110 if I remember correctly). I started taking 10,000 IU a day and the next day after my initial does felt a whole lot better. Within a few days I had lots of energy. Unfortunately, never tested to see what my T levels did in response.

On another note, I was taking 10,000 IU a day for 12 weeks and my value only increased to 37. So it may not a simply thing to get the number up. I definately agree that D should be part of standard bloodwork. Hell, I may have been able to avoid HRT totally had I known this and followed it through.

[flatscat]

remember that direct exposure to sun light is the best (not sayin to get burned), it can also raise t levels in women (for those of us who think theirs needs a little boost - shove her outside, naked of course)

[GotNoBlueMilk]

I just got back from a FL vacation. Got some good sun! I stopped taking my D while I was down there because I figured my body was making lots of it. I live in the extrem north and between the latitude and work I get little sun normally. I need to start getting out in the sun more during the few summer months we have it.

I think part of the deficient D issue now is because we have all been told that the sun will give us cancer, so put on the SPF 1000 before going out!

[flatscat]

I just got back from a FL vacation. Got some good sun! I stopped taking my D while I was down there because I figured my body was making lots of it. I live in the extrem north and between the latitude and work I get little sun normally. I need to start getting out in the sun more during the few summer months we have it.

I think part of the deficient D issue now is because we have all been told that the sun will give us cancer, so put on the SPF 1000 before going out!

nope the spf in sunscreen blocks the uv rays needed for the production of vit d - sorry, but they say 30 min's of direct exposure a day is all you need to produce 10,000, think 15 min's is recommended for females.

[Cyclehard]

But Spf wears off maximally in an hour and a half. Moreover, not everyone is able to translate sunlight into D the same way. I, for one, need to be on a supplement no matter the time of year or geographic location.

[flatscat]

good points

I was speaking generally for the majority who can though and stating the fact that if you can, sunscreen blocks the uv rays that are needed.

[zaggahamma]

I think i should be supplementing with it....then again...my diet should be better as well...

if u had to choose?????

[Whitecollar10]

My blood work showed a vitamin D deficiency. My level was 20 with the reference range being 30-100 ng/mL.

GotNoBlueMilk: Are you sure about that dosage (10,000 IU/day)? My doc just suggested 1000 IU/day. The supplement store looks to sell the D3 in 500, 1000 & 2000 IU sizes.

[GotNoBlueMilk]

I was taking 1000 IU/day for a year or more before I had my blood work done. 10,000 IU a day is correct. I am taking two 5,000 IU pills a day.

http://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Vita.../dp/B002EA99HE

Since my level has only gone from 25 to 37 after 12 weeks of 10,000 IU/day, it would appear that for me this is not too much. I may not be absorbing it well. I intend to work on my tan this summer . . . . once the frigging snow melts up here in the tundra.

[forrest_and_trees]

That's good to know. I've been meaning to ask since I've heard a few guys here mention they were low. Just got my bottle and popped my first two. I'll have to let you know how it turns out.

[Redhawk]

I've been on 4000IU since first test in Nov 2010... Don't remember specific numbers and went from out of the "acceptable" low range for the lab to the high side.

[GotNoBlueMilk]

I've been on 4000IU since first test in Nov 2010... Don't remember specific numbers and went from out of the "acceptable" low range for the lab to the high side.

Yeah, this is what would be expected. For me, still being on the low end after 2 months of 10,000 IUs a day is really a red flag for me. I'm obviously not absorbing the stuff well (I take it with fat in the meal), or utilizing the stuff like mad. I'll have to investigate this some more.

[Bullseye Forever]

whats the recommended dosage of vit D if one has never used it before?

[GotNoBlueMilk]

Well, if you ignore the AMA, go with 5,000 IUs a day. Take it with a meal you get fat in (so don't swallow it with water in the morning and no breakfast). Combine your calcium with the D. Many people do 10,000 IU a day but this is on the upper limit.

You will read lots of stuff about D being toxic and you should never go over <insert small amount here> levels. That seems to all be based on a single study that was just plain bad science. Keep in mind your body will generate 10,000 IUs in about 15 minutes out in the sun (if the sun is strong enough to give you a tan if you lie out for an hour or so). So if you body will generate 10,000 IUs in 15 minutes 10,000 IUs a day can't be that big a deal if you are not out in the sun or live far north.

Another issue is the more fat you have the likelier you are to have a D deficiency. Seems to be a consistent finding. The explination is that the fat cells hog all the D and store it where it does you no good (D is fat soluable like A). You need the D floating around in your blood not your fat cells.