I'm 38 and wanted to get y'all's opinion on teststerone boosters.

Have you been tested and diagnosed with low T? Or you have another reason?

Don't mess with your hormones. If you think you have a problem, go see your doctor.

at any age over 35, I have no reason to see why you wouldn't get your blood tested against similiar age/height/weight, and decide from there. I'm pro-optimizing your body.

I asked my doc at one point during a normal blood check time. He had the test run. I consider the results (or his interpretation of the results) pretty ambiguous. The range on the test result sheet is something ridiculous like age 22 - 72. I thought my number was a little on the low side being that I was 44. But he shrugged off my concern and called everything good. Hesitant to mess with hormones and did not pursue it or push it with him.

I've been tested and do have low t, like most males my age. I do work out but never have take much except the occasional creatine and supplements.

I'm not looking at HGH or steroids because don't want to jack with my hormones. What I'm asking are about the natural testerone boosters (stuff you see at GNC, etc) that are out in the market and has anyone tried them and do they help.

I've does anyone have a good rec for a nutritionist in the Houston Area?

Test Boosters are universally bull****, don't waste your money. There are only a few ways of boosting testosterone: prohormones, steroids, selective androgen receptor modulators (aka SARMS), or through myostatin inhibiting gene therapy. Only SARMS are legal over the counter as prohormones and steroids are banned and myostatin gene therapy is prescription only.

I would recommend testosterone replacement therapy if you want to get your test back up. This is the safest way to go, but be forewarned, many of the doctors really don't know much about steroid injections and so it can be difficult to find a solid doctor. Further many will likely be reluctant to prescribe TRT injections. Essentially unless your test levels are outside the norm, then you likely won't have a chance in hell at getting this.

Thanks Vander for your recommendation, this is what I was looking for. I went to the Low T center and this is what they recommended. So I went to TexAgs for a little research and wanted to check all avenues so that I could make an informative decision.

I would think the Low T center might have a vested interest in your T being Low.

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Thanks Vander for your recommendation, this is what I was looking for. I went to the Low T center and this is what they recommended. So I went to TexAgs for a little research and wanted to check all avenues so that I could make an informative decision.

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This is why I said that most doctors don't have any idea what they are talking about when it comes to boosting testosterone. All test boosters are bunk, as in they do not work at all. It's actually pretty amazing how uninformed doctors really are about male hormones in comparison to female hormones.

I would try a SARM (such as Ostarine) if you want to go over the counter. SERMS or selective estrogen receptor modulators (such as clomid and nolvadex) and aromatase inhibitors (Such as aromasin or arimidex) can help as well, but both cannot be obtained in the US without a prescription (you can easily get them from foreign pharmacies if need be though).

If you are really interested in boosting your testosterone levels, then I would recommend that you do your own research and don't take my word for it. There are lots of websites that go into significant detail about this stuff, how they can be used, what their sides are, etc. A good start would the Reddit r/steroids wiki, they cover just about everything imaginable http://www.reddit.com/r/steroids/wiki/index

Whatever you do, don't go in blind, messing with your hormones is no joke and you can **** yourself up really easy. Decide for yourself on what you want to do.

maybe go see an endrocrinologist?

like a really good one...

Vander, solid posting.

Would add that sarms, serms, pde5 inhibitors and steroids can all be purchased domestically online if one finds a well reviewed and lab tested supplier. While steroids are in fact illegal to buy or own, the others can legally be bought and owned as "research chemicals".
That being said, 90% of foreign and Dom site will sell you grapeseed oil in vials or baking soda packed pills marketed as substances in question. So be very very careful, even after deciding what route to take.
I suggest the low t clinic IMHO. Keep it up front and human grade.

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Hear good things about Clomid. Check out a few of the studies that have been conducted with great success. Much cheaper than Androgel and the like. And it does the opposite of causing your body to shut down Testosterone production, like TRT will do. In many cases, it sounds like it can bring your levels back up to a solid range for good....or at least for a good while...after taking for just 5-6 months or so.

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The main problem with SERMS is the estrogen rebound and the slowl buildup of free estrogen that can cause significant acne issues and other estrogen related sides such as killing your libido completely (as in you don't even think about wanting to have sex while you are taking it). I would not recommend taking a serm alone, especially not clomid. Nolvadex is a better option and Toremifene is the best option with the least amount of sides. If you can get a prescription for it, go with Torem because pharmacy grade toremifene is difficult to find.

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Hear good things about Clomid. Check out a few of the studies that have been conducted with great success. Much cheaper than Androgel and the like. And it does the opposite of causing your body to shut down Testosterone production, like TRT will do. In many cases, it sounds like it can bring your levels back up to a solid range for good....or at least for a good while...after taking for just 5-6 months or so.

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The main problem with SERMS is the estrogen rebound and the slowl buildup of free estrogen that can cause significant acne issues and other estrogen related sides such as killing your libido completely (as in you don't even think about wanting to have sex while you are taking it). I would not recommend taking a serm alone, especially not clomid. Nolvadex is a better option and Toremifene is the best option with the least amount of sides. If you can get a prescription for it, go with Torem because pharmacy grade toremifene is difficult to find.

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What about taking Clomid in combination with a modest dose of Arimidex? Could this improve free-testosterone while blocking conversion to estrogen/estradiol?

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Aromasin is better for improving tesosterone and it has less sides or is less harsh on the body. You need to watch it though because it is easy to crash your estrogen which will create its own problems. Basically start at 12.5mg aromasin and go from there.

I have no idea about long term use for either though as they generally are only used for post cycle therapy (PCT) after a cycle of steroids, so you should probably do some more research on that as I don't want to just spout bad information based upon what I think I know. Usually a PCT situation will last a month to 2 months max, and you generally taper off usage during that time as your natural T levels go up. I wouldn't particularly care to run these long term though, too many sides that aren't that fun.

In defense of muscle tech, their caffeine anhydrous is a great deal

Very glad you know your levels. Would def check your morning levels too.
How is your realistic diet and regular sleep/night?
Your prolactin is not optimal either (I recently started researching with pramipexole from ar-r.com and am happy with results my rats have had-see other post in forum).

Your best bet may be a SARM right now if you want a boost that doesn't have the birth control like effects that testosterone does. Again the problem is that all of these drugs outside of outright TRT are meant to be used in cycles and not permanently and won't provide a permanent boost (i.e. you will come back down to what you are now when you stop).

It's good that you have bloods though, you're a step ahead of the game there. I would check out a few other endocrinologists and take your results if you want more opinions. Some of the consider normal to be around 1000 for test, it really all depends on the doctor.

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I am wondering if small to moderate test injections would be enough to compromise male fertility over the course of 1-2 years or if sterility is typically the result of long-term and/or heavy usage? Most of the stuff I find online seems to favor the latter. Is there anyway to safely keep the boys active down there while on TRT or does it basically double as a contraceptive?

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While it does have an effect upon reproduction, lots of major steroid users in the bodybuilding world have kids (Ronnie Coleman has like 6). The main thing it does is reduce sperm count and reduce their ability to swim. You can still easily get some pregnant though as test is not a true birth control me. The only steroid that has this ability is Trestolone which actively replaces testosterone as the primary sexual hormone, which inhibits sperm production (this is not permanent though and while taking it, your libido will skyrocket upwards).

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After researching Clomid, and similar drugs, I am a bit hesitant. The scientific findings look great...significant hormone boost with little to no sides. Studies almost look too good to be true. But when you try to research the related forums, you find scores of men who have had horrible experiences with severe sides...depression, moodiness of a PMS'ing woman, completely crashed libido w/ ED. These forums do seem to be geared towards the long-term steroid users/body builders so maybe it's more common to have severe sides coming off of heavy TRT/steroid cycles w/ high doses (100-150 mg) of Clomid vs. average joe taking a very low dose.

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Ignore doctors about clomid sides. The sides that people experience who use steroids are exactly what you should expect. Crashed estrogen, mood swings, dead libido, etc. are normal. This is partly why clomid isn't used much anymore as a PCT drug and nolvadex and now the newer toremifene have taken over. If you can toremifene is by far the best SERM option with the best benefits and the least sides.

Granted those doses are insane though, no one should be using that much even for a PCT scenario. The max you should use is 50mg, any higher and the sides will be significant.

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Thinking about just doing what I can to maintain or slightly enhance my levels naturally by continuing a healthy lifestyle and considering TRT after having kid(s). The thought of getting on drugs created to treat women for ovulation problems just scares the crap out of me...even the newer ones with supposedly no sides.

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Honestly, I've taken them and they aren't that bad. Don't worry about what the drug was intended for, just look at what it actually does in your body, that's the important part.

As for kids, how quickly do you want to have them? A TRT does should not affect you much since you likely won't be exceeding 100 to 150 mg of test per injection, which would put you at the upper end of human normal levels. It's really only when you get supranormal levels of test (e.g. exceeding 250 mg per injection) that you start seeing significant issues related to sperm. I'm not saying you won't see them at lower level since it will inhibit natural test production, just that they won't be nearly as severe. If you are really concerned about kids and aren't considering having them for a while, then freeze some sperm or hold off until you have them. However, if your test levels are low and it's causing issues for you then there is no point to continue torturing yourself for no reason. Yes messing around with your hormones is a dangerous game, but with proper research and knowledge, they can easily be used in a safe manner.

I have to be honest, I would never trust a female doctor when it comes to testosterone issues. They have absolutely no personal experience with it and how much it can and will affect our disposition even if it's within the supposed "normal range". The fact is, normal range does not necessarily mean optimal range as people on the low end will experiences issues.

Definitely go seek a second male opinion.

Second male opinion here!

Agree with everything Vandy has said. I'd add that there is no "magic" solution. My fear is that you are thinking the effects and side effects of these drugs may be as exaggerated as media makes them out to be. You'll probably be surprised how timid they are compared to what you hear.

Youre right to assume that bodybuilders have rougher side's. When they complete a cycle, they have other side effcts from the cocktail of AAS they are adjusting off of. So take those forums with a grain of salt. They do have good info though

I see no problem in giving any of those a shot (albeit I would probably start with the most mild and work up as needed). The worst that could happen is you end where you are now. Best case scenario, you find a good med(s) and dose that works well for your needs and keeps the wife happy.