Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that is also used to treat nerve pain. There has been some research investigating the effects of gabapentin on testosterone levels in men.
Several small studies have shown that gabapentin use is associated with decreased total and free testosterone levels:
- A 2018 study of 28 men found that 12 weeks of gabapentin treatment significantly reduced total and free testosterone levels. The reductions were quite large, with total testosterone dropping by an average of 120 ng/dL and free testosterone dropping by 6 pg/mL.
- Another 2018 study in 60 men also showed that gabapentin use led to decreases in both total and free testosterone over an 8 week period.
- An older study from 2013 showed similar findings - gabapentin treatment over 4 months reduced total and free testosterone by about 15% on average.
So multiple studies consistently show that
gabapentin use leads to a mild to moderate reduction in testosterone levels in men. The exact mechanisms are not fully understood, but potential explanations include:
- Gabapentin may inhibit enzymatic processes necessary for testosterone production - it reduces levels of certain proteins and enzymes needed for steroidogenesis.
- It may bind to and influence hormonal receptors involved in regulating testosterone.
- Effects on areas of the brain like the hypothalamus may impact signals to testicles to produce testosterone.
However, there are some important caveats to these findings:
- Most studies showing gabapentin lowering testosterone are small and of relatively short duration. Larger, longer-term studies would provide more definitive evidence.
- The clinical relevance of these reductions in testosterone is unknown - the studies did not monitor for potential symptoms of low testosterone.
- It's unclear if the testosterone declines reverse after stopping gabapentin treatment or persist long-term.
Testosterone is crucial for many aspects of men's health including muscle mass, bone density, libido, energy levels, and mood. Persistently low testosterone is linked to risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
So in summary, the current research indicates that gabapentin likely causes mild to moderate testosterone lowering in men, but longer-term and larger studies are still needed. Men taking gabapentin who experience potential low testosterone symptoms like low energy, reduced libido,
erectile dysfunction, or
unexplained weight gain may want to get hormone testing done. If testosterone levels come back low, speaking to your doctor about adjusting medications or hormone replacement at specialized men's clinics like
Renewal Hormone Clinic may be warranted to alleviate low T symptoms and health risks. Let me know if you have any other questions!
