Testosterone Booster (Bloods)

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Don't waste your money unless you're sponsored. Test boosters will make no impact on your test levels even if you are hypogonadal. Increase of 100-200 is not significant given this is within the bounds of natural fluctuations

Id love to see you take bloods just to prove my point but you'll find reps would be jumping on you with 1001 template questions and insinuations about why any chosen test booster didn't increase your test levels , If you want a 't booster' (irony, irony) for the 'esoteric' benefits fine (creatine, protein, betaine, LCLT etc probably far more effective anabolically). but if you're hypogonadal you probably should be thinking about the real deals and getting .proper treatment. There are other things you could try other than TRT

Trust me ive spent a fortune on these hyped up products, am hypogonodal and have run various blood work indicating they do jack all for test levels. Ive now got 4 jars (including a couple of the most frequently mentioned above) sitting in my shelf gathering dust
 
I did 8 weeks of cel m-test previously I liked it a lot. Gained 6lbs or so from it. That being said I would recommend you try m-test
 
muscleupcrohn said:
I suppose it also depends on what you want from a "Test-Booster" at the end of the day.
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I want it to do what the primary marketing behind it says it will, silly - raise my Test so I can look like the guy on the ad :D

T- Boosters are becoming the 'Hot Stuff' of the 2K1X era - start throwing everything in them, so when people say they "don't work" we can point to the ton of data on Ashwaghanda...

And you'd still be better off just getting singular Adaptogens - a certain internet herb site sells 4 months (at 300mg - 2 months at 600mg) of Jarrow KSM-66 for $13 before discounts. You could throw in a standardized Now Foods 3:1 Rhodiola for $10 before discounts for a 2 month supply. That way you wouldn't waste money on the other non - or barely tested in humans stuff.

Change the name to 'Libido Booster' or 'Performance Booster' or 'Stress Adaptor' - would be my recco.
 
The_Old_Guy said:
Can't guarantee that they wouldn't send him Clomid as well - Logs = Huge Grain of Salt needed.
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Indeed. Imo any time you see bloods with anything exceeding 300 points (maybe even lower) we should be questioning whether or not they were actually taking clomid(or another serm).
 
The_Old_Guy said:
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Change the name to 'Libido Booster' or 'Performance Booster' or 'Stress Adaptor' - would be my recco.
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Yeah, and change "Dancing with the stars" to "Dancing with washed up musicians, actors, and athletes who you may or may not have ever heard of before".
 
muscleupcrohn said:
I suppose it also depends on what you want from a "Test-Booster" at the end of the day. While I do believe that a quality test-booster may slightly increase testosterone levels in the normal range, and perhaps a bit more in the lower range, we know that it's not going to increase testosterone to supraphysiological levels. With that said, many ingredients in effective "test-boosters" (AlphaMax XT, M-Test, Testify, etc) have ingredients that, while having research showing increases in testosterone, also have effects independent of increasing testosterone levels (other MoAs). Ashwagandha comes to mind, as while it does have research showing increases in test, it's also an adaptogen that can reduce stress/anxiety, and improve body composition and endurance. There's also forskolin and its effects on cAMP, besides potential test increases, etc. Basically, the goal of a test-booster can be to increase test levels, but they won't go to supraphysiological levels, but you can provide the benefits associated with increased testosterone levels via other MoAs, and I do believe a good test booster can provide improved wellbeing, libido, body composition, performance, etc. Of course, keep your expectations realistic, as they're natural, not AAS, but I do think they can be useful/valuable.
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I now an OTC Test Booster isn't going to give me a massive increase in testosterone or significantly impact muscle gains. With the situation I'm in now I'd be more than happy with the mood, confidence and overall well being boosting benefits...Any over average strength and muscle gains would just be an added bonus.
 
ucheoma said:
Don't waste your money unless you're sponsored. Test boosters will make no impact on your test levels even if you are hypogonadal. Increase of 100-200 is not significant given this is within the bounds of natural fluctuations

Id love to see you take bloods just to prove my point but you'll find reps would be jumping on you with 1001 template questions and insinuations about why any chosen test booster didn't increase your test levels , If you want a 't booster' (irony, irony) for the 'esoteric' benefits fine (creatine, protein, betaine, LCLT etc probably far more effective anabolically). but if you're hypogonadal you probably should be thinking about the real deals and getting .proper treatment. There are other things you could try other than TRT

Trust me ive spent a fortune on these hyped up products, am hypogonodal and have run various blood work indicating they do jack all for test levels. Ive now got 4 jars (including a couple of the most frequently mentioned above) sitting in my shelf gathering dust
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I am a rep. Go through my posts in here where I promised something over the top. I not only mentioned before anyone else he would see about a 100-200 point boost. I will still be honest even though I am a rep. It bugs me when everyone says, "reps will say anything." I pride myself on being honest and helpful. I also qualify anyone wanting to try one that they probably aren't going to see anything if they are under a certain age, like 35.

People are looking for these boosters for a couple of reasons. They are either looking for a magic pill that will be like steroids without the sides, or they are like the OP, who just wants to feel better. M-Test was one of the many reasons I wanted to rep for SNS after doing a log 2 or 3 months before the rep position was open. I liked it so much I bought a second bottle.

I am almost overly honest as a rep, but my end goal is to legitimately help, whether that is to keep you from buying a product that isn't going to do what you assume or help find something that improves your quality of life and gives some nice side benefits. Not every rep is a turd.
 
ryane87 said:
I am a rep. Go through my posts in here where I promised something over the top. I not only mentioned before anyone else he would see about a 100-200 point boost. I will still be honest even though I am a rep. It bugs me when everyone says, "reps will say anything." I pride myself on being honest and helpful. I also qualify anyone wanting to try one that they probably aren't going to see anything if they are under a certain age, like 35.

People are looking for these boosters for a couple of reasons. They are either looking for a magic pill that will be like steroids without the sides, or they are like the OP, who just wants to feel better. M-Test was one of the many reasons I wanted to rep for SNS after doing a log 2 or 3 months before the rep position was open. I liked it so much I bought a second bottle.

I am almost overly honest as a rep, but my end goal is to legitimately help, whether that is to keep you from buying a product that isn't going to do what you assume or help find something that improves your quality of life and gives some nice side benefits. Not every rep is a turd.
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I agree with this mindset. An educated consumer knows that a OTC test-booster isn't going to increase testosterone levels to supraphysiological levels, but that doesn't mean that these products are useless, as they can still provide some useful benefits such as improved mood, libido, and wellbeing, as well as also have some (realistic) improvements in performance and body composition. I feel like most of the reps around here aren't trying to push these test-boosters as being some magic pill, or anywhere near anything hormonal, and a lot of us emphasize this and encourage people to keep their expectations realistic while informing them of the benefits they can realistically expect from using a quality test-booster like M-Test or AlphaMax XT. A lot of reps around here have been contributing members of the forum for a while, and many of us continue to contribute to the forum while being reps, often including giving advice or recommendations for products other than those from the company we may rep for.
 
muscleupcrohn said:
I agree with this mindset. An educated consumer knows that a OTC test-booster isn't going to increase testosterone levels to supraphysiological levels, but that doesn't mean that these products are useless, as they can still provide some useful benefits such as improved mood, libido, and wellbeing, as well as also have some (realistic) improvements in performance and body composition. I feel like most of the reps around here aren't trying to push these test-boosters as being some magic pill, or anywhere near anything hormonal, and a lot of us emphasize this and encourage people to keep their expectations realistic while informing them of the benefits they can realistically expect from using a quality test-booster like M-Test or AlphaMax XT. A lot of reps around here have been contributing members of the forum for a while, and many of us continue to contribute to the forum while being reps, often including giving advice or recommendations for products other than those from the company we may rep for.
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I am pretty new here but I've had any amazing experience getting advice some forums members and reps. I've talked to a few reps in private messages asking questions and not once have I felt that they pushed their products, in fact they have all mentioned other brands/products that could be good as well. This AM community is awesome!

Sorry just had to voice that!
 
ryane87 said:
I am a rep. Go through my posts in here where I promised something over the top. I not only mentioned before anyone else he would see about a 100-200 point boost. I will still be honest even though I am a rep. It bugs me when everyone says, "reps will say anything." I pride myself on being honest and helpful. I also qualify anyone wanting to try one that they probably aren't going to see anything if they are under a certain age, like 35.

People are looking for these boosters for a couple of reasons. They are either looking for a magic pill that will be like steroids without the sides, or they are like the OP, who just wants to feel better. M-Test was one of the many reasons I wanted to rep for SNS after doing a log 2 or 3 months before the rep position was open. I liked it so much I bought a second bottle.

I am almost overly honest as a rep, but my end goal is to legitimately help, whether that is to keep you from buying a product that isn't going to do what you assume or help find something that improves your quality of life and gives some nice side benefits. Not every rep is a turd.
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You are wrong about OPs main objective. Re-read OPs first post: I've just had some bloodwork done and will be having more bloodwork done in 10 weeks time. This should be the perfect opportunity to see if the testosterone booster actually increases testosterone levels (and have bloodwork to prove it), or if "they're all bunk" as people keep saying they are.

Having said that yes, I was not insinuating each and every rep is a shrill. Not sure how you could deduce this from my post but nevertheless wanted to make that clear. Quite a few are however.

My main issues aren't with reps however but with the company's marketing and frankly misleading advertising. I didn't fall into the trap of thinking test boosters would help increase my low test levels because of a reps recommendation, it was through company marketing. And yes I was ignorant. If id known what i know now I would have saved myself a tonne of cash. Companies know this and are exploiting consumers ignorance and the inbuilt perception of T as the gold standard for men's health and wellbeing . Just go on any website and look at the frankly ludicrous advertising of these products!

Another comment i can't let you get away with is the myth / suggestion that t boosters work for over 35s. That's just broscience. If you dont think it is I challenge you to provide evidence of Mtest doing this. 35 is just an arbitrary number you've plucked up. Why not 30, 34, 36 or 40? Reality is TRT / HRT is the route older guys go down , not natty herbs, to fix t declines. BTW I'm over 35!
 
ucheoma said:
You are wrong about OPs main objective. Re-read OPs first post: I've just had some bloodwork done and will be having more bloodwork done in 10 weeks time. This should be the perfect opportunity to see if the testosterone booster actually increases testosterone levels (and have bloodwork to prove it), or if "they're all bunk" as people keep saying they are.

Having said that yes, I was not insinuating each and every rep is a shrill. Not sure how you could deduce this from my post but nevertheless wanted to make that clear. Quite a few are however.

My main issues aren't with reps however but with the company's marketing and frankly misleading advertising. I didn't fall into the trap of thinking test boosters would help increase my low test levels because of a reps recommendation, it was through company marketing. And yes I was ignorant. If id known what i know now I would have saved myself a tonne of cash. Companies know this and are exploiting consumers ignorance and the inbuilt perception of T as the gold standard for men's health and wellbeing . Just go on any website and look at the frankly ludicrous advertising of these products!

Another comment i can't let you get away with is the myth / suggestion that t boosters work for over 35s. That's just broscience. If you dont think it is I challenge you to provide evidence of Mtest doing this. 35 is just an arbitrary number you've plucked up. Why not 30, 35, or 40? Reality is TRT / HRT is the route older guys go down , not natty herbs, to fix t declines. BTW I'm over 35!
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I agree with the marketing stand point and that it can be shady. About the over 35, that was more along the lines of 25 and 26 year olds looking for test boosters and they really won't do anything. Most people that have enjoyed them have been mid-30s and up. I, too, am over the age of 35 and it was nice to feel younger a little bit in the 8 weeks I used it. Also, mid 30s is when a lot of men start noticing issues, not early 30s. I still felt like a machine for the most part. So isn't an arbitrary number. It seems to around that age when the decline is a little more noticeable. Fewer morning woods and random woods, a little less interest in sex and feeling a little more tired.

I surmised you having a problem with reps because reps will what, have a 1000 questions for why it didn't work? Not going to go back to your exact quote, but it was along those lines and kind of suggesting that reps are going to tell you you are wrong if you say it doesn't work. I would just apologize and hope they find something that gives them the same feelings I get. I digress. Dishonest marketing is a huge problem in this industry.
 
Your candour is refreshing and i need to remind myself to be more cautious about not making overgeneralized references about about reps

Yes, we all go through the changes , some later, some earlier and this is usually characterised by a decline in T levels. The point I was making is that T boosters may help improve your mood , libido and all that stuff, but regardless of your age they wont increase your t levels significantly. I know the orthodox, conventional line spun in the supp world is if you're over 30 or hypogonadal they can increase T, but fact is whatever your characteristic they will not increase your t levels significantly (and plse. you know who you are, I'm not talking 'supraphysiologcial' lol. Im talking outside the bounds of natural variation) . As i always say, show me the money, and prove me wrong. And Im not talking pubmed either. i hold a very skeptical view of the standard of scientific publications in the area of supps research (T boosters specifically) given the poor track record of findings being replicated in the real world. In a way the scientists / researchers may be the real culprits lol.
 
ucheoma said:
Your candour is refreshing and i need to remind myself to be more cautious about not making overgeneralized references about about reps

Yes, we all go through the changes , some later, some earlier and this is usually characterised by a decline in T levels. The point I was making is that T boosters may help improve your mood , libido and all that stuff, but they wont increase your t levels. I know this is the orthodox, conventional line spun in the supp world, but its not a fact. As i always say, show me the money, and prove me wrong. And Im not talking pubmed. i hold a very skeptical view of the standard of scientific publications in the area of supps research (T boosters specifically) given the poor track record of findings being replicated in the real world. In a way the scientists / researchers may be the real culprits lol.
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That is why I let people know not to expect supraphysiological increases when it comes to these. I let them know to expect maybe a 100-200 boost. For a lot of guys, though, that could mean going from low to normal low. It may not seem like a lot, but it could be to them. I think so many studies are put out to show the results researchers want shown for various reasons. Think about how many supplement companies have funded studies....lol I think a lot of times you hope for good anecdotal evidence. Look at the PA studies that haven't painted it in a good light recently. But anecdotal evidence, by way of so many people having success with it, shows that maybe researchers don't quite have their shyt together....haha
 
As someone else correctly pointed out here, there is no OTC test booster that'll work to facilitate accelerated gains in lean body mass. You need supraphysiological levels for that. In fact, we've known this for over a decade..

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science conducted and published a study about a decade ago wherein they administered varying amounts of testosterone enanthate along with drugs to inhibit natural testosterone production to young, healthy men for 20 weeks.While higher testosterone levels did produce greater muscle gains, it wasn’t as pronounced as you might think.

What researchers found was that so long as testosterone levels were within the physiological normal range, between 300-1,000 ng/dl, muscle growth didn’t change very much. That is, the subjects on the low end of normal weren’t that far behind subjects on the high end in terms of muscle growth.
So how high do you need to go? A statistically significant increase in muscle growth wasn’t seen until testosterone levels surpassed the top of “normal” by about 20-30%. So a total test of 1,200 to 1,300 is where the real muscle building action STARTS. In HRT terms, that's going to take around 300mg/week to achieve those levels. There is no natural test booster that can come close to this..

But the poster was also spot on about a good test booster improving your quality of life. Libido, erections and alpha male feelings are possible with a good formulation, with things like furostanolic saponins from Tribulus (or Fenugreek), Tongkat Ali and Maca root being particularly good. There are others, but each of these has shown at least some ability to improve blood flow, increase libido or work on androgen receptors in the brain.
 
This has been a very interesting read guys. Thank you all for having this debate and throwing out some good information.

I too tried test boosters and am hypogonadal. I did keep an eye on this thread to see if the OP would choose something to use, log it and post results but actually, this has been just as interesting for me.

I tried d aspartic acid before I had started on trt. I did notice a large increase in semen volume, like chucking a pot of muller. Also I had bloods done, serum test 11nmol before daa and after 4 weeks of use..... 9nmol.

Natural fluctuation of course, bloods done at 9am both times.

Cant see it did anything for me except from leave my wife looking like a plaster's radio.
 
Wish more people would take the time / expense to run bloods at least once in a while. Im sure theyd find the results more than disappointing. I venture based on my experience even the oft bandied 100 - 200 average test increase will not be achieved at least 80% of the time
 
Dz23 said:
This has been a very interesting read guys. Thank you all for having this debate and throwing out some good information.

I too tried test boosters and am hypogonadal. I did keep an eye on this thread to see if the OP would choose something to use, log it and post results but actually, this has been just as interesting for me.

I tried d aspartic acid before I had started on trt. I did notice a large increase in semen volume, like chucking a pot of muller. Also I had bloods done, serum test 11nmol before daa and after 4 weeks of use..... 9nmol.

Natural fluctuation of course, bloods done at 9am both times.

Cant see it did anything for me except from leave my wife looking like a plaster's radio.
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My M-Test arrived yesterday.
I'll start my run and log (inc blood stats) tomorrow...
 
This should be fun! Are you on anything else which could confound the readings. I anticipate this will be one of the first questions asked in casethe results are below expectations. Secondly what is your expectation in terms of improvements in t levels
I guess youll be better placed to answer this after your baseline
 
ucheoma said:
This should be fun! Are you on anything else which could confound the readings. I anticipate this will be one of the first questions asked in casethe results are below expectations. Secondly what is your expectation in terms of improvements in t levels
I guess youll be better placed to answer this after your baseline
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Nope, just M-Test and the staples (Protein+Multi Vits+Fish Oil etc). It's not hormonal and shouldn't influence bloods but I am considering throwing BLR's FD2 in around week 2/3 though.
I don't think I have any exact T-level increase expectations but I am hoping to get the mood and "Alpha" feeling boost, which is what I'm looking for and that most seem to experience with M-Test.
 
ucheoma said:
Wish more people would take the time / expense to run bloods at least once in a while. Im sure theyd find the results more than disappointing. I venture based on my experience even the oft bandied 100 - 200 average test increase will not be achieved at least 80% of the time
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Is very true that almost any OTC test booster will be a disappointment, IF the user is expecting a dramatic increase in protein synthesis, CNS activation and nitrogen retention. It's my opinion that in order to realize those effects, you need to be 20-30% above the top end of normal - or 1,200/1,300ng/dl. In other words, supraphysiological.

OTC test boosters can't do this. High dose TRT maybe, but no OTC test boosters I'm aware of even come close...
 
Mixelflick said:
Is very true that almost any OTC test booster will be a disappointment, IF the user is expecting a dramatic increase in protein synthesis, CNS activation and nitrogen retention. It's my opinion that in order to realize those effects, you need to be 20-30% above the top end of normal - or 1,200/1,300ng/dl. In other words, supraphysiological.

OTC test boosters can't do this. High dose TRT maybe, but no OTC test boosters I'm aware of even come close...
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This is very true but gives the impression that t boosters do increase t levels if even slightly eg 100 to 200 pts commonly referenced. My assertion is even this slight bump is an outlier which wont be experienced by most users of t boosters
 
Slims said:
I'm looking to run a testosterone booster for the next 8 weeks and want to know which one is best and that people are confident in reccommending.
I've just had some bloodwork done and will be having more bloodwork done in 10 weeks time. This should be the perfect opportunity to see if the testosterone booster actually increases testosterone levels (and have bloodwork to prove it), or if "they're all bunk" as people keep saying they are.

Throw me you reccommendations guys :)
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Hey Slims, whats the latest on this, would be interesting so see your blood work and more info..
 
Blood tests are deceptive. Many guys on drugs tell how their bloods are excellent, yet the growing underlying detriments contribute to their ill health, and ultimate death. Curtis Leffler is just one example. Mike Mattarazzo was another.
 
pro45 said:
Blood tests are deceptive. Many guys on drugs tell how their bloods are excellent, yet the growing underlying detriments contribute to their ill health, and ultimate death. Curtis Leffler is just one example. Mike Mattarazzo was another.
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The problem not blood test but "Drugs"
 
00A said:
Hey Slims, whats the latest on this, would be interesting so see your blood work and more info..
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I'm mid way through my second week at the moment. Nothing to report back with yet, but wasn't expecting anything just yet anyway as most users tend to start noticing improved sleep, mood and libido around week three.
I've got a log on the forum if you want to find and follow that.
 
pro45 said:
Blood tests are deceptive. Many guys on drugs tell how their bloods are excellent, yet the growing underlying detriments contribute to their ill health, and ultimate death. Curtis Leffler is just one example. Mike Mattarazzo was another.
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While blood tests can be deceptive, they definitely have their use. They can be deceptive if you pick and choose only certain ones, then you won't get a full picture of your body's health. Also there are some things that blood tests may not be able to pick up on, such as an enlarged heart, or a disposed genetic heart condition. That being said, blood tests definitely have their place and their use. They're only deceptive if you let them be. Otherwise, they can be a great indicator and tool to help you diagnose body health.
 
VeinNutrition said:
While blood tests can be deceptive, they definitely have their use. They can be deceptive if you pick and choose only certain ones, then you won't get a full picture of your body's health. Also there are some things that blood tests may not be able to pick up on, such as an enlarged heart, or a disposed genetic heart condition. That being said, blood tests definitely have their place and their use. They're only deceptive if you let them be. Otherwise, they can be a great indicator and tool to help you diagnose body health.
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Yes, of course. What I am doing is presenting another side of the coin which is just as pertinent.
 
VeinNutrition said:
While blood tests can be deceptive, they definitely have their use. They can be deceptive if you pick and choose only certain ones, then you won't get a full picture of your body's health. Also there are some things that blood tests may not be able to pick up on, such as an enlarged heart, or a disposed genetic heart condition. That being said, blood tests definitely have their place and their use. They're only deceptive if you let them be. Otherwise, they can be a great indicator and tool to help you diagnose body health.
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pro45 said:
Yes, of course. What I am doing is presenting another side of the coin which is just as pertinent.
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Blood results are blood results and they are definitely worth doing on a regular basis just to make sure your health is where it should be. Everything could look fine on the outside but that doesn't mean that there's not anything manifesting on the inside, and it's always better to catch anything nasty sooner rather than later.
On the otherhand they could also be irrelivant in terms of a products effectiveness for example. Yes, the blood results could say that a certain product has raised serum testosterone levels or decreased estrogen but if you didn't/don't Feel, look or perform any better then those blood results become a little redundant in assessing a products effectiveness.
 
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