Testosterone enhancers

There are tons of them on the market, and I want to hear some responses from people who have experiences with them. I have been researching then and am considering trying one. I have read of lots of positive side effects (enhanced sex drive, more energy, ect.) but have also heard of people blowing out their adrenal glands if the supplement is used for to long and what not. Any input would be appreciated. 

Aromatase inhibitors like 6-OXO and Rebound XT work quite well at raising testosterone. The problem with AIs, though, is that you can only take them for relatively short periods of time (6-8 weeks at the most). Otherwise, your HPTA may "crash".
 
As far as I know, common "testosterone enhancers" like tribulus don't do jack squat for testosterone.
 
However, there is a growing amount of evidence that forskolin and certain other less-known compounds increase testosterone production. And so far, it doesn't seem as if there's a limit to how long you can safely take them.

I was under the impression that Tribulis Terrestris (an herbal extract) is only really relevant in the bigger testosterone picture as a stimulus for Leutinizing (sp?) hormone release.  It was supposed to be the action of Leutinizing hormone on Dehydroepiandrosterone and other Test precursors that makes Trib a viable addition to a DHEA stack.  Is this not accurate?

By the way, I'm not using this stuff.  I can't get past the dire warnings on the label urging people under 40 years old not to take it, HA HA HA.  Then I found out that it may cause you to fail a drug test.  Comments?

Not from what I've seen.
 
This is the rare case where the research in animals doesn't translate to humans. In rats and other animals, tribulus does seem to elicit an effect on testosterone. When administered to humans, though, it doesn't raise LH or testosterone levels.

Gotcha.  I haven't read or heard of any clinical human trials -just the preliminary lab rat material (marketing material, no less) EAS was publishing a couple years ago.

Yeah, it sucks. I wish it worked for us.

 




J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Oct 3;101(1-3):319-23.
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The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence the androgen production in young men.

Neychev VK, Mitev VI.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University, 2 Zdrave str., Sofia-1431, Bulgaria. neychev@dir.bg

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to investigate the influence of Tribulus terrestris extract on androgen metabolism in young males. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-one healthy young 20-36 years old men with body weight ranging from 60 to 125 kg were randomly separated into three groups-two experimental (each n=7) and a control (placebo) one (n=7). The experimental groups were named TT1 and TT2 and the subjects were assigned to consume 20 and 10 mg/kg body weight per day of Tribulus terrestris extract, respectively, separated into three daily intakes for 4 weeks. Testosterone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone levels in the serum were measured 24 h before supplementation (clear probe), and at 24, 72, 240, 408 and 576 h from the beginning of the supplementation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between Tribulus terrestris supplemented groups and controls in the serum testosterone (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 15.75+/-1.75 nmol/l); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 16.32+/-1.57 nmol/l); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 17.74+/-1.09 nmol/l) (p>0.05)), androstenedione (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 1.927+/-0.126 ng/ml); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 2.026+/-0.256 ng/ml); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 1.952+/-0.236 ng/ml) (p>0.05)) or luteinizing hormone (TT1 (mean+/-S.D.: 4.662+/-0.274U/l); TT2 (mean+/-S.D.: 4.103+/-0.869U/l); controls (mean+/-S.D.: 4.170+/-0.406U/l) (p>0.05)) levels. All results were within the normal range. The findings in the current study anticipate that Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins possess neither direct nor indirect androgen-increasing properties. The study will be extended in the clarifying the probable mode of action of Tribulus terrestris steroid saponins.

 
 

 




Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000 Sep;10(3):340-59.
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Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young men.

Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Reifenrath TA, Uhl NL, Parsons KA, Sharp RL, King DS.

Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.

The effects of androgen precursors, combined with herbal extracts designed to enhance testosterone formation and reduce conversion of androgens to estrogens was studied in young men. Subjects performed 3 days of resistance training per week for 8 weeks. Each day during Weeks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8, subjects consumed either placebo (PL; n = 10) or a supplement (ANDRO-6; n = 10), which contained daily doses of 300 mg androstenedione, 150 mg DHEA, 750 mg Tribulus terrestris, 625 mg Chrysin, 300 mg Indole-3-carbinol, and 540 mg Saw palmetto. Serum androstenedione concentrations were higher in ANDRO-6 after 2, 5, and 8 weeks (p <.05), while serum concentrations of free and total testosterone were unchanged in both groups. Serum estradiol was elevated at Weeks 2, 5, and 8 in ANDRO-6 (p <.05), and serum estrone was elevated at Weeks 5 and 8 (p <.05). Muscle strength increased (p <.05) similarly from Weeks 0 to 4, and again from Weeks 4 to 8 in both treatment groups. The acute effect of one third of the daily dose of ANDRO-6 and PL was studied in 10 men (23 +/- 4 years). Serum androstenedione concentrations were elevated (p <.05) in ANDRO-6 from 150 to 360 min after ingestion, while serum free or total testosterone concentrations were unchanged. These data provide evidence that the addition of these herbal extracts to androstenedione does not result in increased serum testosterone concentrations, reduce the estrogenic effect of androstenedione, and does not augment the adaptations to resistance training.

sir savage.. lets say i was taking somthing thats supposed to raise test. levels like AXIS HT, which is supposed to be a test. enhancer..wouldn't my body just start creating more estrogen to balance it out?
 
i've also heard of people using test. enhancers or pro hormones then having libido or other sexual problems after..is that what you meant by hpta crash?

How about animal stak 2, it doesn't just use one thing to boost test levels?

AGE 23
Height: 5'9"

Arms 14 5/8"




"TRAIN LIKE AN ANIMAL"

ORIGINAL: rob1

sir savage.. lets say i was taking somthing thats supposed to raise test. levels like AXIS HT, which is supposed to be a test. enhancer..wouldn't my body just start creating more estrogen to balance it out?

 
In males, estrogen comes from testosterone breakdown, so yeah, that could happen to some guys, but it depends.
 
If you're taking an aromatase inhibitor (which prevents estrogen formation; 6-OXO, Rebound XT, etc.), then no, the increase in testosterone will not be accompanied by an increase in estrogen. In fact, the reason why testosterone increases on AIs is because the body realizes estrogen is low and cranks up testosterone to try to get estrogen back up.
 
Remember, estrogen in men comes from the breakdown of testosterone, so the body thinks that by raising testosterone production, estrogen will be raised back to normal. However, since estrogen is being blocked by the AI, the only increase is in testosterone. Pretty nifty.
 
If you're talking about a product like Axis HT, though, then yeah, there would be an expected (probably slight) increase in serum estrogen. Assuming it actually works, that is. And it might, to some degree, since it does contain forskolin.

i've also heard of people using test. enhancers or pro hormones then having libido or other sexual problems after..is that what you meant by hpta crash?

 
Yeah, that's a crash, but in a little bit different way than I was talking about.
 
Taking androgens (like prohormones or steroids) for a period of time suppresses the body's own testosterone production. Without taking a SERM like Nolvadex or Clomid or an AI like 6-OXO or Rebound XT after you cease taking the androgens, your HPTA (hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis) is "crashed" because it's so suppressed. Little or no testosterone is being produced, so one feels depressed, lethargic, moody, and loses their gains. That's why proper post-cycle therapy is so important. You've got to get your testosterone back up ASAP.
 
I was talking about an HPTA "crash" from overusing an AI, though. This is a result of taking an AI for too long, which could over-exert your HPTA. You could end up in a similar situation to that of the other kind of "crash" when you finally come off of it.
 
Bench, I'm not sure what's in Animal Stack 2, so I can't really say.

 wow, thanks for such an informative and quick reply.. so if i was going to take 6-OXO or the AXIS should i do a post recovery anyway? and what is a recomended post recovery?
 i bought the AXIS and i said to take for a minimum of 6 weeks, no more than 12.. and i also have the 6-OXO because i was worried about the estrogen increase..but thats interesting about how the AI's work. it is nifty..lol. but i've just read that if your going to take the 6-OXO alone, not as a post cycle therapy you should only do it for very short time frames like 10 days.
 whats your thoughts on that? im looking for a way to increase my testosterone but im worried about the "crash" and being a no libido limp guy..lol.
thanks for all the help too!
 
i will also try referencing the avantlabs forum. thanks.

heres animal stak 2 ingredients
 
Ingredient Details:
Natural Test Complex: longjack extract complex 250mg, avena sativa extract 250mg, tribulus extract complex 500mg. Growth Hormone Secretagogues: mucuna pruriens extract 250mg, alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine 50mg. Vasodilator Complex 750mg: arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, arginine ketoisocaproate. Aromatase Inhibitors: calcium d-glucarate 100mg, diindolymethane 100mg. DHT Blockers: b-sitosterol 250mg, saw palmetto extract 200mg, pygenum africanum 50mg. Cortisol Inhibitor Complex 300mg: acetyl- l-carnnitine...h

AGE 23
Height: 5'9"

Arms 14 5/8"




"TRAIN LIKE AN ANIMAL"

ORIGINAL: rob1

 wow, thanks for such an informative and quick reply.. so if i was going to take 6-OXO or the AXIS should i do a post recovery anyway? and what is a recomended post recovery?
i bought the AXIS and i said to take for a minimum of 6 weeks, no more than 12.. and i also have the 6-OXO because i was worried about the estrogen increase..but thats interesting about how the AI's work. it is nifty..lol. but i've just read that if your going to take the 6-OXO alone, not as a post cycle therapy you should only do it for very short time frames like 10 days.
whats your thoughts on that? im looking for a way to increase my testosterone but im worried about the "crash" and being a no libido limp guy..lol.
thanks for all the help too!

i will also try referencing the avantlabs forum. thanks.

 
No no, you don't need to do PCT after taking 6-OXO or Axis HT because they're not androgens so they don't suppress your HPTA. They work by suppressing estrogen and "fooling" the body into producing extra testosterone naturally. PCT is only necessary after taking suppressive androgens, like prohormones or steroids.
 
 "Crashing" on an AI like 6-OXO only really happens when you take them for really long periods of time. And when it does happen, it's from the over-exertion of the HPTA, not from suppression of the HPTA.
 
Remember, androgens suppress your HPTA, AIs can "over exert" it when they're used for too long. But "over-exertion" is not really something to worry about when using it for reasonable periods of time as a stand alone or as part of PCT.
 
For example, you could use 6-OXO as a stand-alone for about 6-8 weeks to bump your natural testosterone production up and reap the respective benefits of having really high testosterone (increased libido, increased recovery time, better pumps, etc.). Pushing it to 12+ weeks, though, is probably not a good idea.
 
It's also best to smooth out your last two weeks of dosing with an AI. All that means is to gradually taper down your dosage for a smooth transition back to normal. For example, you might do 600 mg / 400 mg / 200 mg / 100 mg gradually over your last two weeks or so of dosing with 6-OXO.
 
Bench, I hate to tell you this, my man, but I don't see anything in there that's going to boost your testosterone production.
 

savage
 
axis hit, stak 2 etc. are not making more testosterone, they are freeing up what the body already has by unbinding it.

AGE 23
Height: 5'9"

Arms 14 5/8"




"TRAIN LIKE AN ANIMAL"

Thanks for the info savage, very helpful stuff. I've gota another question. What happens when you stop taking the supplement? Is your testosterone going to go back to normal, or does it train the body to keep producing more testosterone than usual? Because if your going to lose the benefits of the supplement after you take it, then what's the point of taking it in the first place? Also, say I was going to take 6-OXO or Axis HT (which I would, I don't want to have to worry about post cycle therapy or any of that crap), is there a specific company that makes it that you recommend? Thanks.

thanks..i smell what your steppin in