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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Linus Pauling Institute; L-Carnitine; Tory M. Hagen; April 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Testosterone Therapy: Key to Male Vitality?; April 2010
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Carnitine
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
L-Carnitine & Testosterone
Proponents of L-carnitine and testosterone supplements assert that they have many health benefits that include slowing the aging process 4. L-carnitine is derived from an amino acid found in most of your body’s cells and is vital in energy production. Testosterone is a hormone involved in maintaining bone density, muscle strength and muscle mass, MayoClinic.com explains 1. Despite their purported benefits, consult your doctor before using L-carnitine and testosterone in order to avoid any potential adverse effects.
Use and Function
Your body uses L-carnitine and testosterone in different ways. L-carnitine plays a crucial role in converting fat into energy, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes 5. L-carnitine is produced by your liver and kidneys. Your skeletal muscles, heart and brain store L-carnitine. Males also store L-carnitine in sperm. Testosterone is made in the male testicles and the adrenal system. Women’s ovaries also produce testosterone albeit in smaller amounts relative to men, Drugs.com says 1. Testosterone is used to alleviate impotence and hormonal imbalances in men. It is also used to treat breast cancer that has metastasized to other parts of the body.
- Your body uses L-carnitine and testosterone in different ways.
- Testosterone is used to alleviate impotence and hormonal imbalances in men.
Administration and Dose
Testosterone & Iron
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Testosterone shots are usually injected subcutaneously, Drugs.com says 1. Weekly shots are given over the course of two to four weeks but the precise dose varies depending on your specific needs. L-carnitine supplements are available in oral supplement form and the usual dose is about 1 g to 3 g daily, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains 45. Neither supplement is recommended for children unless prescribed by a doctor.
Side Effects and Interactions
Both L-carnitine and testosterone sometimes cause side effects such as stomach upset, diarrhea and nausea. L-carnitine also causes increased appetite body odor and skin rashes, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains 5. L-carnitine is used in tandem with chemotherapy drug doxorubicin to potentially protect heart cells from the adverse effects of the chemotherapy medication. Testosterone causes weight gain, anxiety, confusion and memory problems. Testosterone also caused increased penis erections in men as well as changes in menstrual periods in women, Drugs.com explains 1. Testosterone sometimes causes the sex drive to increase or decrease. Other medications such as blood thinners and insulin interact with insulin.
- Both L-carnitine and testosterone sometimes cause side effects such as stomach upset, diarrhea and nausea.
- L-carnitine also causes increased appetite body odor and skin rashes, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains 5.
Benefits
Does Taking Testosterone Boosting Supplements Cause Baldness?
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Proponents of L-carnitine and testosterone supplements claim that using these supplements will increase youthful vitality and boost athletic performance 4. L-carnitine levels in your body decline with age, the Linus Pauling Institute explains 2. L-carnitine has displayed some potential capacity to alleviate cardiovascular disease, the Office Dietary Supplements explains 4. There is insufficient evidence, however, to substantiate such claims.
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References
- Drugs.com; Testosterone; April 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute; L-Carnitine; Tory M. Hagen; April 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Testosterone Therapy: Key to Male Vitality?; April 2010
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Carnitine
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Carnitine (L-carnitine); Steven D. Ehrlich; March 2009
- Flanagan JL, Simmons PA, Vehige J, Willcox MD, Garrett Q. Role of carnitine in disease. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010;7:30. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-7-30
- Grivas GV. The Role of L-Carnitine in Distance Athletes. International Journal of Sports Science. 2018;8(5):158-163. doi:10.5923/j.sports.20180805.04
- Kerksick CM, Wilborn CD, Roberts MD, et al. ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018;15(1):38. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0242-y
- Spagnoli A, Lucca U, Menasce G, et al. Long-term acetyl-L-carnitine treatment in Alzheimer's disease. Neurology. 1991;41(11):1726-32. doi:10.1212/WNL.41.11.1726
- Tempesta E, Troncon R, Janiri L, et al. Role of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of cognitive deficit in chronic alcoholism. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1990;10(1-2):101-7.
- Ferreira GC, Mckenna MC. L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochem Res. 2017;42(6):1661-1675. doi:10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7
- Mynatt RL. Carnitine and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2009;25 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S45–S49. doi:10.1002/dmrr.987
- Daniells S. L-carnitine market to hit $130 million by 2017, predicts report. William Reed Business Media Ltd. Updated August 16, 2019.
- Peeling P, Binnie MJ, Goods PSR, Sim M, Burke LM. Evidence-Based Supplements for the Enhancement of Athletic Performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018;28(2):178-187. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0343
- Shang R, Sun Z, Li H. Effective dosing of L-carnitine in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2014;14:88. doi:10.1186/1471-2261-14-88
- U.S. Library of Medicine. ToxNet - L-Carnitine. Updated August 26, 2008.
- Janeiro MH, Ramírez MJ, Milagro FI, Martínez JA, Solas M. Implication of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) in Disease: Potential Biomarker or New Therapeutic Target. Nutrients. 2018;10(10):1398. doi:10.3390/nu10101398
- Wang ZY, Liu YY, Liu GH, Lu HB, Mao CY. l-Carnitine and heart disease. Life Sci. 2018;194:88-97. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2017.12.015
- Koozehchian MS, Daneshfar A, Fallah E, et al. Effects of nine weeks L-Carnitine supplementation on exercise performance, anaerobic power, and exercise-induced oxidative stress in resistance-trained males. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2018;22(4):7–19. doi:10.20463/jenb.2018.0026
- Bloomer RJ, Smith WA, Fisher-Wellman KH. Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine increases plasma nitrate/nitrite in resistance trained men. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2007;4:22. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-4-22
- Górska-Warsewicz H, Laskowski W, Kulykovets O, Kudlińska-Chylak A, Czeczotko M, Rejman K. Food Products as Sources of Protein and Amino Acids-The Case of Poland. Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1977. doi:10.3390/nu10121977
Writer Bio
Joseph Pritchard graduated from Our Lady of Fatima Medical School with a medical degree. He has spent almost a decade studying humanity. Dr. Pritchard writes as a San Francisco biology expert for a prominent website and thoroughly enjoys sharing the knowledge he has accumulated.