Concerns about AndroCaps

Dear Dr. Dean:I have a concern about a Vitamin Research product I am currently taking, AndroCaps. In this month’s issue of Consumer Reports, androstenedione, an ingredient of AndoCaps, is labeled Very Likely Hazardous. It states that increased risk for cancer, and a decrease in HDL is very likely. Please clarify the safety of AndroCaps, and the validity of Consumer Reports’ studies. Thank you. JC

Dear Mr. C, These are topics that have been previously discussed in Vitamin Research News.AndroCaps contains both androstenedione and androstenediol. Both of these substances are precursors of testosterone. However, androstenedione may also be a direct precursor of estradiol (estrogen). The amount of androstenedione which converts to estrogen is variable, depending upon biochemical individuality. It should also be noted, however, that testosterone itself converts to estrogen, due to an enzyme in the body known as aromatase. Aromatase levels are known to rise with age, resulting in an increased conversion of testosterone to estrogen. That is why we recommend, on every bottle, that men taking AndroCaps or AndroSpray should take BioDIM or I3C to help metabolize any estrogen that is formed.I’d like to see the basis for Consumer Reports’ statement that androstenedione causes an increased risk of cancer. I think that is pure speculation, based on who-knows-what? On the other hand, AndroCaps may very well cause a reduction in HDL. This is a known side effect of testosterone, unfortunately. I think this drop in HDL can be countered by taking things that will increase HDL (like Niacin) and that will reduce LDL (like red yeast rice extract, or GluControl).Hope this answers your concern. Ward Dean, M.D.