# Testosterone OTC boosters/supplements- BS or effective?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [April 25, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672 "2013-04-25T15:29:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/1 "2013-04-25T15:29:57Z")
I keep hearing about these and their claims to boost strength and recovery when working out, but I’m wary that an OTC supplement sold in the vitamin and protein shakes aisle is really going to kick up testosterone.
If it \*really \*worked I’d have to think it be prescription only availability considering how steroids are controlled.
Online reviews range from “Totally effective, but you have to watch out for rage effect” to “Worthless, just a big scam”.
Are these legit or not?
---
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/2 "2013-04-25T18:40:07Z")
Give me answers or I will crush your skull like a walnut shell!
Do you even lift???
WELL DO YOU???
---
### Author:  [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/3 "2013-04-25T18:47:40Z")
(cowers) I can’t answer your question about OTC versions, but there are a number of cautions against taking any effective Testosterone enhancement. These include increased risk for enlarged heart, gynecomastia (increased non-muscle breast tissue) and testicular atrophy. I have also read about increasing problems with prostate, if you already have any prostate issues, including prostate cancer (but I can’t find that reference now).
It doesn’t seem worth it to me.
Roddy
eta: No, I don’t lift. I was interested for other reasons. You big bully.
---
### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/4 "2013-04-25T18:55:59Z")
> [@astro](#):
>
> I keep hearing about these and their claims to boost strength and recovery when working out, but I’m wary that an OTC supplement sold in the vitamin and protein shakes aisle is really going to kick up testosterone.
>
> If it \*really \*worked I’d have to think it be prescription only availability considering how steroids are controlled.
>
> Online reviews range from “Totally effective, but you have to watch out for rage effect” to “Worthless, just a big scam”.
>
> Are these legit or not?
Like you said - if they worked, they would be on prescription.
> [@](#):
>
> There are no studies demonstrating benefit from any “natural” supplement that enhances or boosts testosterone.
[Cite](https://www.healthtap.com/#topics/the-effects-of-testosterone-boosters-for-teens).
Regards,
Shodan
---
### Author:  [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/5 "2013-04-25T19:18:09Z")
Testosterone isn’t the only corticosteroid. Plus there any number of other substances that may act as ligands for glucocorticoid receptors.
When I was lifting, I was using plant sterols which have a similar structure and they dramatically decreased my recovery time so I lifted more frequently, was able to push myself harder and made progress much faster.
I was also on Prozac at the time which as an SSRI can reduce your pain threshold but should not have had any effect on inflammation, recovery time, etc.
---
### Author:  [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/6 "2013-04-25T19:23:01Z")
I’ve taken them before and got my blood work for both before and after. I will say this, they work, however their results are negligible. In other words, my total free T level only went up something like 30 points. It went up from 271ish to 300ish (might be off by 1 or 2).
That basically nothing.
---
### Author:  [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/7 "2013-04-25T19:26:30Z")
> [@Meatros](#):
>
> I’ve taken them before and got my blood work for both before and after. I will say this, they work, however their results are negligible. In other words, my total free T level only went up something like 30 points. It went up from 271ish to 300ish (might be off by 1 or 2).
>
> That basically nothing.
But it might not matter. If it’s binding to the same receptors and having the same or similar effects, you still get basically the same results - except for the numbers on a sheet of paper.
---
### Author:  [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/8 "2013-04-25T19:43:05Z")
> [@deltasigma](#):
>
> But it might not matter. If it’s binding to the same receptors and having the same or similar effects, you still get basically the same results - except for the numbers on a sheet of paper.
I’m not quite sure what you are referring to. I didn’t notice any changes that I would expect (ie, increased sex drive, better lifts, etc).
---
### Author:  [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/9 "2013-04-25T20:00:53Z")
> [@Meatros](#):
>
> I’m not quite sure what you are referring to. I didn’t notice any changes that I would expect (ie, increased sex drive, better lifts, etc).
Ah, then in that case it doesn’t matter.
My point was that just like pharmaceuticals can bind to parts of the membrane of certain types of cells even though those receptors were designed for endogenous molecules like hormones (e.g. testosterone), it’s possible to find such molecules in the wild as well.
I’m sure you know that many drugs are derived from plants and other natural sources. This is the same idea just on a more primitive scale. A pharmaceutical company will look for the active compound and then tweak it - usually. Sometimes the natural molecule is a pretty damn good match for the receptor they want to target already.
Supplement makers can’t do that. They just try to find the most active components and refine them as best they can.
The thing is, just like a given drug won’t work the same way on everyone, you see the same thing with supplement. I mean, some drugs do of course, but certainly not all, especially once you start getting into the psychotropics.
---
### Author:  [@mayaonfiya222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mayaonfiya222)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testosterone-otc-boosters-supplements-bs-or-effective/656672/10 "2013-04-25T20:05:49Z")
> [@astro](#):
>
> I keep hearing about these and their claims to boost strength and recovery when working out, but I’m wary that an OTC supplement sold in the vitamin and protein shakes aisle is really going to kick up testosterone.
>
> If it \*really \*worked I’d have to think it be prescription only availability considering how steroids are controlled.
>
> Online reviews range from “Totally effective, but you have to watch out for rage effect” to “Worthless, just a big scam”.
>
> Are these legit or not?
Probably not legit enough to give you man boobies and shrink your testicles, but maybe legit enough to give you cancer. “Worthless, just a scam” is enough for me not to buy something, but a ‘rage effect’? That sounds insane. I’m just picturing a man with a high-pitched voice and huge muscles throwing a tantrum lol If you’re gonna do it, go to a doc, but DON’T DO IT. Moods, moobs, and rage..probably not that fun.