Written by Garett Reid | NSCA, CSCS, CISSN, M.S.E.S.S
Fact checked by Andrew Lenau, ISSA CPT & Sports Nutritionist
FACT CHECKED
For those with low T, testosterone boosters seem like a lifesaver. Take the proper dosing, and watch your energy return, your sex drive increase, and your muscle mass grow.
Sounds great, right? But, do testosterone boosters really work in this way?
We're about to cover this in detail, but to make a long story short, yes, testosterone boosters work. However, there is a myriad of factors, outside of taking testosterone supplements, that also impact your T levels.
And knowing what these factors are, how long to take your testosterone boosters before they begin working, and the signs to look for to know they're working are all important pieces to your testosterone-boosting puzzle.
Don't worry. We'll discuss all of this so you have a clear idea of how, why, and when testosterone boosters work. So, let's get into it! Those testosterone levels aren't going to increase themselves.
**For full transparency, this post may contain affiliate links where we could earn a commission on a purchase you make at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products that we have thoroughly researched and think you will find valuable.**
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone, a hormone produced by the gonads, is the main male sex hormone responsible for the growth of male characteristics.
It is produced in the testes in males and the ovaries in females (yes, ladies produce testosterone too!), although the majority is quickly converted to estrogen in females.
In guys, testosterone is responsible for developing internal and external male reproductive organs, puberty and the associated development of male characteristics, and reproduction, as well as several other functions.
Testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining and building muscle, energy levels, red blood cell levels, bone growth, and sexual function. As you can see, maintaining healthy testosterone levels is important to pretty much everything!
What Causes Low Testosterone Production?
There are several causes that contribute to low testosterone production, some of which are preventable while others are inevitable. The medical name for low testosterone production is male hypogonadism, which is decreased functional activity of the gonads.
Hypogonadism is caused by a combination of testicular failure (primary hypogonadism) and hypothalamic-pituitary axis failure (secondary hypogonadism).
Primary hypogonadism is when a testicular disorder leads to a reduction in testosterone production, while secondary hypogonadism is caused by hypothalamus or pituitary gland issues.
Causes of primary hypogonadism include congenital diseases, which are conditions you have from birth, including undescended or the absence of testicles, and acquired conditions, like testicle injuries, chemo, or anabolic steroid use.
Causes of secondary hypogonadism include congenital diseases, head injury, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, certain medications, and late-onset hypogonadism1,2,3,4.
What Are Testosterone Boosters?
Testosterone boosters are supplements that increase testosterone levels in your blood, either naturally or synthetically. T supplements are typically used to produce enough testosterone to restore the body to healthy levels.
You can learn even more about T boosters by reading our article: What Are Testosterone Boosters & What Do They Do?
Why Take Testosterone Boosters?
While there are certain precautions you can take to slow your decline in testosterone, decreasing T is an inevitable part of aging. Some aren't as affected by it as others, and your lifestyle choices do play a role in how significantly your testosterone decreases.
There are multiple signs that may indicate you have low testosterone, including decreased sex drive and sperm production, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, loss of bone and muscle mass, decrease in body hair, and depression or brain fog5,6.
If you are dealing with any of these, it is a good idea to get your testosterone levels measured to confirm your T truly is low.
This will also help you figure out the best testosterone therapy to help boost your levels, which can include testosterone pills, topical testosterone gels, or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
If you are over 30 and confirm your levels are declining, trying out a testosterone supplement can be a relatively inexpensive and easy way to boost your natural testosterone production.
Another potential option is a TRT clinic, like these Online TRT Clinics, which makes getting treatment as convenient as it gets.
Do Testosterone Boosters Work?
This question of whether T boosters actually promote testosterone production is tricky, as it ultimately depends on multiple factors like age, diet, workout routine, and genetics. But the shortest and most simple answer is yes, testosterone boosters work.
Similar to a fat-burning supplement, natural testosterone boosters are not miracle drugs, but with the proper diet and routine, they can be beneficial.
These products work by either increasing the level of testosterone in your body or by reducing the rate at which testosterone is broken down in your body. A third method in which they work is by targeting secondary hormones, indirectly raising testosterone levels.
For example, D-Aspartic Acid is an amino acid involved in testosterone production and releasing hormones. Studies have shown that D-Aspartic Acid can increase the release of a hormone in the brain that will result in testosterone production7.
A significant factor that can’t be overlooked when discussing whether testosterone boosters work is the quality of the brand that produces the supplement. The market is flooded with many products, many of which contain illegal or harmful substances.
A study in 2020 evaluated 50 products using Google research that advertised as testosterone boosting. Only 24.8% of the products had data that showed an increase in testosterone, while 10.1% had data that showed a drop in T levels, and 18.3% showed no change in T levels8.
This shows the importance of doing research and choosing a legitimate brand that has research-proven results.
And if you don't want to spend hours researching the best supplements, SET FOR SET has got your back! Check out our article on the 7 Best Testosterone Booster Supplements.
Supplement Your Testosterone Boosters With A Healthy Lifestyle
In order to see good results, it's crucial that you're following a healthy lifestyle. For example, increasing your testosterone can help you maintain or build muscle, but only if you are following a workout split.
Further, T boosters can help you improve your body composition, but again, only if you are following a healthy diet (and exercising).
See how it's all connected? The lifestyle factors you can control include:
- Eat healthily
- Workout regularly
- Don't abuse drugs or alcohol
- Prioritize sleep
Check out our article that discusses whether working out increases testosterone, as it goes into even more detail about how you can boost testosterone naturally.
How long does it take for testosterone supplements to work?
As with any supplement, workout routine, or diet plan, the results vary based on one’s genetics, so not everyone will have identical results. For most people, it will take roughly three to four weeks for a testosterone supplement to cause noticeable changes.
A study from 2011 found that certain effects occur faster than others during testosterone treatment9. The researchers found an increase in sexual desire after week three that plateaued at week 6, while the quality of life and overall mood improved after week three.
It took around 12 weeks for significant changes in fat mass, lean body mass, and muscle strength. However, it's important to note that this study was based on testosterone replacement therapy, which gradually increases T levels over time.
Testosterone boosters are meant to boost testosterone levels much faster, usually around the three to four-week mark.
TestoPrime, one of the best products on the market, advertises that it may produce results in three to eight weeks, but for best results, recommends users take it consistently for over six months.
4 Signs Your Testosterone Booster Is Working
Wondering if your testosterone booster is actually working? Look for these four signs.
1) Increase in muscle size/strength:
You may notice gains in the amount of weight you are able to lift in the gym, as well as the size of your muscles. Increasing your testosterone levels has been proven to increase muscle growth in size and strength directly.
One study gave a standard pharmacological dose of testosterone for 12 weeks to nine healthy male subjects. Muscle mass increased in all nine men by an average of 20%10.
You can take the guesswork out of this by keeping track of your stats. Write down your weights used week-to-week (you should be doing this anyway!), and you can even track a few body measurements, like your bicep width, and monitor it every few weeks.
2) Increase in weight loss:
If you are trying to lose fat, testosterone boosters provide a great boost.
Since testosterone helps build muscle, leading to an increase in mass, it will also increase your base metabolic rate. This means you can burn more calories at rest, leading to greater weight loss.
Again, if you want tangible results, step on the scale weekly to monitor your progress. You can learn more about testosterone and fat loss in our article: Does Testosterone Help You Lose Weight?
3) More energy:
Testosterone has been shown to increase our energy in multiple ways, including improving muscle endurance, which occurs through increasing muscle mass and producing red blood cells.
Research has shown that increasing testosterone levels will combat fatigue, boost your mood, and improve your overall quality of life.
4) Increased libido:
Your libido is directly associated with your testosterone hormone levels, so it makes sense that increasing your test levels would increase your libido as well.
Research shows that supplementing with testosterone will increase your sex drive, especially in older men.
What are The Most Effective Testosterone Boosters?
When deciding which testosterone booster is best for you, there are a few key factors to consider. Some important factors include selecting all-natural ingredients, products made in the United States that are third-party tested, and ideally, a money-back guarantee.
Choosing a product with all-natural ingredients is vital to ensure your testosterone booster is safe and effective. Some products contain synthetic ingredients that may have severe potential side effects.
The best natural testosterone booster on the market today is TestoPrime, coming in first place, with TestoFuel as a close second. Both products are backed by research and use all-natural ingredients, making them safe and effective options.
TestoPrime is an all-natural testosterone support that can help any man take control of his youthful vitality with a flood of new and natural testosterone...
FAQs
Let's take a look at some commonly asked questions and their answers.
Do any testosterone boosters actually work?
Yes, many testosterone booster products on the market work. For example, two products shown to raise testosterone levels include TestoPrime and TestoFuel.
Are testosterone-boosting supplements worth it?
Depending on your goals, testosterone-boosting supplements are worth it. If you suffer from low testosterone levels, a supplement can boost your levels enough to provide a noticeable increase in your strength, energy, and overall mood.
What are the side effects of taking testosterone boosters?
Some mild side effects of testosterone include acne, hair loss, and mood swings. Some potentially more serious cons include changes in cholesterol and a potentially increased risk of heart disease.
How do I know if my testosterone is low?
Aside from getting bloodwork done, some ways to tell if your testosterone levels are low include fatigue, fat gain, loss of muscle or strength, decreased libido, and a loss of body hair.
Are Testosterone Boosters Effective? Final Takeaways
The supplement industry can be challenging to navigate, and finding an effective T booster to take is really the majority of your battle. Fortunately, there are several companies that manufacture testosterone boosters that have proven to be effective.
Remember, it is essential to look for products that contain all-natural ingredients. Ideally, the testosterone booster you select is either third-party tested or comes with a money-back guarantee.
As long as you follow these guidelines, eat healthy, follow a consistent workout routine, and get good sleep, with the help of testosterone boosters, you can keep yourself feeling young, while improving your body composition.
Now that you know testosterone boosters work, check out these 7 Best Testosterone Booster Supplements to find the best fit for you!
References:
- “Low Testosterone (Low T): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 4 Oct. 2018, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism.
- Grashow, Rachel, et al. “Association of Concussion Symptoms with Testosterone Levels and Erectile Dysfunction in Former Professional US-Style Football Players.” JAMA Neurology, vol. 76, no. 12, 1 Dec. 2019. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6714010/, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.2664.
- Grossmann, Mathis, et al. “Lowered Testosterone in Male Obesity: Mechanisms, Morbidity and Management.” Asian Journal of Andrology, vol. 16, no. 2, 2014. https://doi.org/10.4103/1008-682x.122365.
- Emanuele, M A, and N V Emanuele. “Alcohol’s Effects on Male Reproduction.” Alcohol Health and Research World, vol. 22, no. 3, 1998. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761906.
- “Low Testosterone and ED.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/erectile-dysfunction.
- “How Low Testosterone Causes Loss of Muscle Mass.” Proactive Men’s Medical, 7 Dec. 2021, proactivemensmedical.com/blog/how-low-testosterone-causes-loss-of-muscle-mass/.
- D‧Aniello, Antimo, et al. “Occurrence of D‐Aspartic Acid and N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartic Acid in Rat Neuroendocrine Tissues and Their Role in the Modulation of Luteinizing Hormone and Growth Hormone Release.” The FASEB Journal, vol. 14, no. 5, Apr. 2000. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.14.5.699.
- Clemesha, Chase G., et al. “Testosterone Boosting” Supplements Composition and Claims Are Not Supported by the Academic Literature.” The World Journal of Men’s Health, vol. 38, no. 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.190043.
- Saad, Farid, et al. “Onset of Effects of Testosterone Treatment and Time Span until Maximum Effects Are Achieved.” European Journal of Endocrinology, vol. 165, no. 5, Nov. 2011. https://doi.org/10.1530/eje-11-0221.
- Griggs, R. C., et al. “Effect of Testosterone on Muscle Mass and Muscle Protein Synthesis.” Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 66, no. 1, Jan. 1989. citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.872.2008&rep=rep1&type=pdf, https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1989.66.1.498.
Garett Reid
Author