OP: Testosterone boosting and androgenic side effects

First I am not certain of the validity of OTC Testosterone boosters. I cannot say they work. Prescription Testosterone supplementation has side effects, must be managed, & watched. They are used for people who are deficient in normal levels or subtherapeutic levels. Side effects are aggression, deepening voice, & hair growth; however pharmaceutical grades must be watched so a patients level is not too high.

I think what you are thinking of are cortisol level changes with steroid use?

sera300

Posted: 23 Sep 07:37

Are you now working in a health food store or for an herbalist?

I would recommend that you speak with a homeopathic physician, naturopath or herbalist. They are more knowledgeable than we allopathic physicians. Some places they are licensed and legal, and some places not. In Europe, especially in France, homeopaths are as common as allopaths.

Generally, the herbal supplents are neither effective nor particularly dangerous. The synthetics are a different story. When testosterone is boosted, it is detected in the body and to keep things in balance the natural production of testosterone is shut down.

The people selling this crap will not give you a straight answer because their products are often not dosage controlled and not necessarily tested for either safety or efficacy.

Brandye

Posted: 23 Sep 07:37

Ducy, what are you doing selling drugs!--getting money for gold jewelry?

All along I sorta liked you, now I'm having second thoughts. What really gets me is that you do not have the answers like potential side affects, before selling them to someone who doesn't understand what the potential harm to them might be.

dancingdoc2

Posted: 23 Sep 07:38

Doc,

Be fair. The majority of people selling over the counter meds, herbal or chemical, have only the knowledge on the label or what they have learned on their own. Ducy is trying and my guess is that when he discovers what that stuff is all bout, he will move on.

I do sometimes send patients to those stores for concoctions of known medical use. Saw Palmetto, Glucosamine, some minerals. BUT, I am very specific as to what to buy: Saw Palmetto extract (known strength) but not Saw palmetto leaves or buds. Iron Sulfate not other iron formulae.

Brandye

Posted: 23 Sep 07:38

If you look at his place of employment, there are all sorts of grades of muscle & body boosters. Anything carried through these stores are debatable; meanwhile, they are endorsed through those fitness experts in magazines. Simultaneously, some men get results as they say. I have seen men also get the same results supplement free with a good workout. The "banned" drugs are those which are snuck in the US and their sale is banned--usually they cross the board in Mexico.

Some elite health food stores have a guy who can get it & sells this stuff on the side. I have seen it at the gym and among a few male friends; as well as in patients. There are negative side effects if a product is banned & used. Don't go there. What you do have in the store; I know you have to sell products but seriously don't play with the stuff. Either you are wasting your money or perhaps harming your body--one is guaranteed. And if you personally feel you have a problem look for a doc who is open to checking hormone levels & monitoring. Around the US, the majority of these docs are those who do practice traditional medicine & herbal in conjunction; however, they are limited. Just work with your own doc.

I have seen many go through the illegal Growth Hormone use...and injecting it IM. If they were not annoyed secondary to the "cycle of use"; they had no clue how to inject into a muscle. I had a few who ended up with an infection at the site due to poor handling & product not being sterile. Other, hit the sciatic nerve...So much fun to have to remove those. This was all in the name of "looking better".

My point is; whatever the issue seek medical care & do not treat yourself. If you wish to try alternative therapy, find a doctor willing to work with you. I do not care for the Atkins diet; however, I do realize some patients will do it regardless. I prefer them to do it under supervision so I can see their labs and changes; although, I may not agree with their choice. But they are informed of the risks prior to starting and that I do not approve it's the best methodology in treatment. Look for the same in a Doc with Testosterone use if that's what you are seeking. Pharmaceutical grade MUST meet a FDA standard & if not monitored by a physician you can end up with serious consequences. It's a temporary "fix" with long term damage if not done appropriately. Find a good MD which can explain the use and long-term effects; whenever you put a substance in your body, including one single aspirin, there is a result on your body. Be certain to fully understand all before any risk is assumed.

sera300

Posted: 23 Sep 07:39

Doc hold your horses man. I am not selling drugs. They are products from gnc. SarmX and 17hd are both synthetic testosterone that are produced for bodybuilding purposes but are legal.

I refuse to sell products like these to the younger crowd that wanders in the store.

I am just asking are there any potentially dangerous effects to taking natural boosters as opposed to synthetic LEGAL testosterone.

I know the who post cycle therapies and such for synthetic but wasnt sure if it was ok to use natural at a young age.

OH and just for the record, I have NEVER sold any testosterone products at GNC...ever.

Ducy

Posted: 23 Sep 07:39

Look at what's in the mix. Often the supplements used are too high in protein & over time take a toll on the kidney's & liver the short term benefit v. long term effect. If you have a normal testosterone level what is there to enhance? Or is it just selling the product?

Look at what gnc is known for. If you saw a traditional herbalist, Homeopath, or D.O. they usually have certain supplements which they get from labs (requesting a specific mix) or they deal with a specific Manufacturer.

I did not think you were selling the stuff at GNC! I know locally there are a few hybrid, owner of the store for nutritional health & often these guys have one in with them where it can be obtained. It's not the bigger retailers & I did not mean you. It's just what I do see around here.

sera300

Posted: 23 Sep 07:39

These supplements lack any form of protein. They are generally a blend of saw palmento, testofen (fenugreek), tribulus and licorice extract.

And I did read an article on the affects of protein, and that you can apparently take up to 2g per pound of bodyweight without any dangerous side effects. They ran a test on rats and actually found they had healthier livers when taking that amount.

I figure the best I will do is 1 to 1.5 since the average need is .8g to maintain what you have.

Ducy

Posted: 23 Sep 07:40

Interesting that you cite Saw Palmetto - one of my above examples. I wager these things contain the powder made from grinding the dried buds. There is no way to control the dosafe. You will note that they show the weight of the Saw Palmetto - problem is that includes the entire dried up bud. How much active ingredient? No way to tell. Similar for the fenugreek.

Brandye

Posted: 23 Sep 07:40