Vitamin D correlation with testosterone concentration in male US soldiers and veterans

Background: Vitamin D has been positively correlated with testosterone in older men, but these hormonal relationships have not been examined in military personnel. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify significant correlations between vitamin D and testosterone concentrations in male soldiers and veterans. Material and Methods: This study examined unique cases of serum vitamin D assessments ordered at Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, NC, from January 2012 - September 2013. Inclusion criteria were male soldiers or veterans who had a testosterone assessment within 21 days of vitamin D assessment, yielding 796 subjects. General linear models were used to test the effect of vitamin D on total testosterone. Results: Mean serum vitamin D concentrations were 29.2 +- 11.1 ng/ml, with 55.7% of subjects in the deficient or insufficient range of Conclusion: These data show a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in male soldiers and veterans assessed in the southeast region of the United States. Since vitamin D deficiency may be related to hypothalamopituitary dysfunction in service members, future research should prospectively assess vitamin D status in comprehensive treatment plans for endocrine disorders.

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