Methyltestosterone is a hormone used in men to treat testosterone deficiency, and in women
to treat breast cancer, as well as breast pain and swelling following pregnancy. It is also combined with oestrogen (Estratest®) to treat symptoms associated
with menopause.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, a herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
May Be Beneficial:Depletion or
interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or
function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them.
Beta-carotene*
Vitamin A*
Avoid:Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this
medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.
Zinc
Check:Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of
these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details.
Androstenedione (Andro)*
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)*
Side effect reduction/prevention
None known
Supportive interaction
None known
Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability
None known
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene
A 59-year-old man developed an inability to see well at night following treatment with
methyltestosterone.1 Laboratory tests revealed low blood levels of vitamin A and
beta-carotene, which may have resulted from taking the drug. More research is needed to
determine if vitamin A and beta-carotene supplementation is required for people taking
methyltestosterone.
Zinc
Taking methyltestosterone increased the amount of zinc in the blood and hair of boys with
short stature or growth retardation.2 It is not known whether this increase would
occur in other people or whether zinc supplementation by people taking methyltestosterone
would result in zinc toxicity. Until more is known, zinc supplementation should be combined
with methyltestosterone therapy only under the supervision of a doctor.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
DHEA supplementation has been shown to increase blood levels of testosterone,345 as does methyltestosterone. No studies have investigated the
possible additive effects of taking DHEA and methyltestosterone, but either increased drug
effectiveness or more severe side effects are possible. Until more is known, these agents
should be combined only under the supervision of a doctor.
Androstenedione (Andro)
Andro supplementation has been shown to increase blood levels of testosterone in
women,6 but not in men.7 No studies have investigated the possible
additive effects of taking andro and methyltestosterone, but either increased drug
effectiveness or more severe side effects are possible. Until more is known, these agents
should be combined only under the supervision of a doctor.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
1. Nisbett SB, Parker JA, Habal F. Methyltestosterone-induced night
blindness. Can J Ophthalmol 1985;20:254–6.
2. Castro-Magana M, Collipp PJ, Chen SY et al. Zinc nutritional status,
androgens, and growth retardation. Am J Dis Child 1981;135:322–5.
3. Wolf OT, Neumann O, Hellhammer DH, et al. Effects of a two-week
physiological dehydroepiandrosterone substitution on cognitive performance and well-being in
healthy elderly women and men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997;82:2263–7.
4. Labrie F, Belanger A, Simard J, et al. DHEA and peripheral androgen
and estrogen formation: Intracinology. Ann NY Acad Sci 1995;774:16–28.
5. Morales AJ, Nolan JJ, Nelson JC, Yen SSC. Effects of replacement dose
of DHEA in men and women of advancing age. J Clin Endorcrionol Metab
1994;78:1360.
6. Mahesh VB, Greenblatt RB. The in vivo conversion of
dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione to testosterone in the human. Acta
Endocrinologica 1962;41:400–6.
7. King DS, Sharp RL, Vukovich MD, et al. Effect of oral androstenedione
on serum testosterone and adaptations to resistance training in young men: a randomized
controlled trial. JAMA 1999;281:2020–8.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only.
It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience,
or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur
in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over
the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist
for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in
prescribed medications. Information expires July 2010.
