FTM, over the counter Testosterone Booster?

[Ryan D]

My parents have made it clear that I'm not going to be allowed to go on T or to get top surgery until I'm 21, but in CVS they let my get a Testosterone Booster from Six Star. It says that it's not designed for low testosterone levels, so I'm assuming that it's not going to act as a complete substitute for going on T, but it will increase free testosterone and will help me build some muscle, if nothing else.

The only problem is that there's a disclaimer on the side. I was talking to someone about it, and they said that the only reason that's there is for legal reasons, and it shouldn't be a problem. I was thinking about taking two pills everyday instead of four pills everyday, which is what it suggests.

What are the worst possible effects of taking it?

Edited for personal info.

[teeg]

Testosterone boosters, although being proven in studies to indeed raise testosterone levels, won't raise them to any significant amount where they'd be able to help with things like building muscle, etc. Also, they're quite expensive -- if it's something you really think you want to try, buy tribulus terrestris supplements. This is the main ingredient in testosterone boosters and it costs 5x less. The main reason I heard guys take it is because it increases penis sensitivity.

In my opinion it's best to go the proper route for HRT, and that's through an endocrinologist.

[Ryan D]

Pretty much the only reason I'm taking boosters is to take the first step to transitioning, since I'm not going to be able to go on T for a while. Plus, I'm hoping that my parents will see that I'm happier when my body appears more masculine, since right now they think that my gender dysphoria is really just a bunch of different mental issues, even though a psychiatrist has confirmed that my gender dysphoria is separate from anything else that's going on.

Hopefully the boosters will help, or at least they'll help me build muscle. I'm already on a diet and a workout routine, but I'm naturally kind of chubby even though I've been an athlete since I was a kid. I'm going to try to get off of the boosters as soon as possible though.


Edited for personal information.

[Hideyoshi]

My parents have made it clear that I'm not going to be allowed to go on T or to get top surgery until I'm 21

What's preventing you going to a doctor and getting the ball rolling on HRT?

The only problem is that there's a disclaimer on the side. I was talking to someone about it, and they said that the only reason that's there is for legal reasons, and it shouldn't be a problem.

It's there for legal reasons because it probably isn't regulated by the FDA, so they can put whatever they want into the pill and call it a 'supplement' without having to prove a thing. I'd be wary of anything like that.

Edited personal info about Ryan.

[Ryan D]

What's preventing you going to a doctor and getting the ball rolling on HRT?

I'm going to, but that's still a couple years away and I most likely won't be able to take a year off of college, pay for testosterone, pay for top surgery, and do it all in one year, at least not safely. I'm fine with waiting for top surgery, but I want to start testosterone earlier so that binding is easier (and I won't have permanent health issues from binding) and so that I can adjust to it before I go to college.

It's there for legal reasons because it probably isn't regulated by the FDA, so they can put whatever they want into the pill and call it a 'supplement' without having to prove a thing. I'd be wary of anything like that.

The warning is just about age, I researched about the ingredients in the boosters and there've been studies on all of them. They're safe, one of them is dangerous in doses over 20mg, but the boosters only contain 5-10mg, depending on how many caplets you take per day. I'm taking four a day, which is the recommended dose, and so far everything's been fine.

Edited personal info.

[Hex]

At least start HRT if you can. It's far cheaper than top surgery ect if you have to pay out of pocket. And I suppose on the brighter side of things, by that time you may be able to get your own insurance that will cover trans related costs and surgeries and not have to pay out that much anyways.

As far as T boosters go, I can't be of much help but I would assume as long as you have no major health issues that would cause reactions with the booster it would be ok to take. Maybe do some heavy google searching and research on different boosters and reviews on them and so on. You might actually be able to find muscle builder forums that have more information especially working with the type of body you have and how to boost muscle (and also try work outs) to help with it as well.

Edited personal information.

[LordKAT]

T boosters aren't going to help much since you don't have any T factories to boost. A waste of money. Instead eat healthy and exercise.

[Ryan D]

After 6 days on the boosters:

A while ago, my fighting instructor put me and some other students on a diet/workout routine. I was on it for a few weeks before starting the boosters. In two weeks without them, I lost between 1 and 2 pounds. In less than a week taking the boosters, I've lost between 7 and 8 pounds, and I weigh less than I have in years. But I'm still gaining muscle, too. My instructor (who doesn't know that I'm taking the boosters) said that I look fitter, and that I'm stronger than I've ever been. When we fought today, he was working just about as hard as me, and I even beat him a good amount.

My muscles are aching but they're growing, not only in strength but visibly, too.

I haven't noticed any increase in anger levels, or any increased irritability.

[teeg]

Just for the sake of preventing false info like I said above testosterone boosters won't raise your testosterone levels to any substantial level that will make a difference. Some people report increased sex drive and sensitivity in the sex organs, but that's all.

I'd say you're probably losing water weight and thinking you are/look stronger is a placebo effect.

[femaletome]

Just for the sake of preventing false info like I said above testosterone boosters won't raise your testosterone levels to any substantial level that will make a difference. Some people report increased sex drive and sensitivity in the sex organs, but that's all.

I haven't gone on boosters but I have always believed this to be true.  My understanding is that these boosters don't work in cis males and trans male in the same way.  I too have heard anecodtal evidence of their benefits, mainly from those in the body building community.

I would recommend continue the working out, this will naturally boost your T levels as well as any of those over the counter products.

I don't know about dangerous long term effects of taking those, but for what its worth I do know a fella who had to delay starting actual T because he had taken boosters for so long and needed to ween himself off those and get his levels to whatever range his doctor was looking for.

[Jessica Merriman]

Supplements are not evaluated or controlled by the FDA. What this means is you have no idea what is in them, where they were made or if there is any quality control. You could really damage your liver if you are not careful. Please continue to work out, eat healthy and start reliable monitored HRT when possible. Don't risk liver damage for an unproven head start. 

[Greeneyedrebel]

I don't see anywhere where you indicate if you are currently over 18 or not, and I don't know which country you are from. But if you are 18 in the US, what things are keeping you from starting T if you want to? Cost wise the IM T comes out to about $25/month for me with ZERO insurance coverage for it at this time. Some here have found online therapists, so even if there is no one in your area, that may be a way to start the process for yourself.

Granted, situations like living at home and parents paying for education etc may be heavy factors, and of course require careful consideration.

If you are not yet 18, then it is indeed a whole different ballgame.

I am part of the group advising supreme caution with boosters and non-FDA approved/regulated things going in the body.