Biotin is an essential B-vitamin that has important functions related to energy metabolism and cell growth. Recently though, some claim taking biotin supplements may also help boost low testosterone levels in men. But what does the science actually say about biotin for raising testosterone?
Key Points:
– Only one study in rats shows possible connection; no human data
– Study found increased testosterone from large doses far above nutritional needs
– Mechanisms speculative but may involve increased cellular energy (ATP)
– Biotin is likely safe short-term but optimal dosing unclear for testosterone
– More evidence from human trials needed to make any conclusions
The Animal Research
So far, only one published study has directly explored the effects of biotin supplementation on testosterone levels. The trial was conducted in male wistar rats in 2021 and used extremely high doses of biotin for 4 weeks [1].
The findings showed that groups receiving 100-500 times the recommended daily intake in humans experienced significant boosts in serum total and free testosterone levels compared to placebo. Average relative increases ranged from about 25-50% above baseline.
Researchers speculated this may be related to biotin’s role in cellular energy production. Since testosterone biosynthesis is an energy demanding process, substantially increasing ATP generation with high doses of biotin could potentially drive greater testosterone output.
However, optimal human dosing cannot be inferred considering the excessive amounts used in these animal models. No clinical evidence establishes if ordinary biotin intake or standard supplements would impacted testosterone similarly.
Proposed Mechanisms
There are a few hypothesized mechanisms by which megadoses of biotin may contribute to boosted testosterone production:
1) Increased cellular energy (ATP) – As mentioned, significantly raising biotin levels could amplify ATP energy pathways in tissues like the testes. This provides more “fuel” to support energy-costly anabolic processes involved in building testosterone molecules. But studies confirming this activity from normal biotin supplementation are still needed.
2) Improved insulin sensitivity – There is some research indicating biotin may increase insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism [2]. Insulin helps regulate signals for testosterone biosynthesis. So potentially improving cell insulin response with high dose biotin could translate to increased testosterone output. However, the doses showing insulin and glucose effects were again extremely high.
3) Reduced SHBG levels – One study reported declines in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in women after taking 300mcg per day of biotin [3]. SHBG binds to testosterone, so less of it could mean more free/usable testosterone. But the data is quite limited, with no trials on biotin’s SHBG effects in men.
While interesting, these mechanisms remain speculative without more controlled human trials on biotin supplements at normally recommended intake levels. For now, there is insufficient evidence to know if ordinary biotin consumption impacts testosterone compared to the pharmacological doses used in rat studies.
Biotin Supplements are Likely Safe
On the safety side, biotin is considered extremely low in toxicity, especially at doses used for general health and wellness [4]. Since it is a water soluble vitamin, excess amounts are normally excreted in urine.
But there have been some reports of improper immune function or thyroid effects in those taking 20+ milligrams per day for prolonged periods – usually people attempting to manipulate lab tests. For reference, the standard daily recommendation for biotin is around 30 micrograms (mcg).
So while acute toxicity is very low, there are no good long term trials establishing ideal dosing strategies for specifically increasing testosterone. Much more research in humans would be required to provide guidance around the safety and efficacy of using biotin supplements for targeting low testosterone.
The Bottom Line
In summary, evidence exploring biotin for boosting testosterone is extremely sparse. Only one rodent study has indicated possible boosting effects on total and free testosterone levels. However, the doses were extremely high and impossible to translate to human supplementation. The mechanisms behind why mega-doses influence testosterone also remain largely theoretical.
Overall there is no quality data demonstrating biotin supplements at normal intake levels affect testosterone differently than placebo in men or women. Much more controlled, clinical research in humans would be needed to substantiate any claims around using biotin specifically to increase low testosterone. For now, the evidence is too weak to make any conclusions either way.
Talk to your doctor before dramatically increasing your biotin intake for any health reason. Until more rigorous human trials are done, biotin supplements likely won’t significantly raise testosterone relative to a solid lifestyle, nutrition and training regimen.
References:
[1] Elumalai, P., Gunadharini, D. N., Senthilkumar, K., Banudevi, S., Arunkumar, R., Benson, C. S., … & Sharmila, G. (2021). Induction of hyperglycaemia results in differential expression of serum insulin and testosterone levels by high dose of biotin supplementation in male albino Wistar rats. Andrologia, 53(1), e13780.
[2] Revilla-Monsalve, M. C., Zendejas-Ruíz, I., Islas-Andrade, S., Báez-Saldaña, A., Palomino-Garibay, M. A., Hernández-Stengele, G., … & Solís-S. (2017). Biotin supplementation reduces plasma triacylglycerol and VLDL in type 2 diabetic patients and in nondiabetic subjects with hypertriglyceridemia. The Journal of nutrition, 147(10), 2025-2031.
[3] Mock, D. M. (2017). Marginal biotin deficiency is teratogenic in mice and perhaps humans: a review of biotin deficiency during human pregnancy and effects of biotin deficiency on gene expression and enzyme activities in mouse dam and fetus. Journal of nutritional science, 6.
[4] Zempleni, J., Hassan, Y. I., & Wijeratne, S. S. (2008). Biotin and biotinidase deficiency. Expert review of endocrinology & metabolism, 3(6), 715-724.
