How to Take a Testosterone Booster: Expert Guide

Many people are interested in taking a wide range of medications and supplements described as testosterone boosters. This is especially true for men who believe they’re not maintaining optimal levels of testosterone.

They often opt for taking a testosterone booster too quickly, or without prior consultation and research. This is why we wanted to talk about these supplements’ purpose and how to take them properly.

What’s a Testosterone Booster?

In simple terms, it’s a natural or artificial substance which can raise testosterone levels in the human body. Typically, when people discuss how to take a testosterone booster, they usually refer to testosterone replacement therapy.

TRT replaces the needed amount of testosterone the body isn’t producing on its own. It generally includes:

• injectable testosterone
• oral testosterone capsules
• transdermal testosterone

However, there are also testosterone supplements, and people use either for various reasons, like:

• treating hypogonadism
• improving sex drive or sexual performance
• stimulating muscle growth
• increasing energy levels

How to Take a Testosterone Booster – A Brief Overview of the Methods

The exact method of taking testosterone boosters depends on your type of therapy.

Transdermal Testosterone

In case of transdermal treatment, you either get medicated patches or gels that are applied directly to the skin. Patches come in four strengths: 2mg, 2.5mg, 4mg, and 5mg, and the early dose is 4mg every 24 hours.

Gel, on the other hand, comes in 1% and 1.62% concentrations. You usually start with 50mg every morning, but the amount will depend on a given person’s exact hormone levels.

Oral Testosterone

The best time to take this testosterone booster will greatly depend on the actual capsules you’re taking, as will the dosage. Usually, people have to take 237mg twice a day for a whole week.

Injectable Testosterone

With injectable testosterone, you take specific testosterone esters suspended in oil. A person can administer this booster on their own by injecting it into one of the buttocks. Depending on what your doctor recommends, you can take an injection every two to four weeks.

Testosterone Supplements

The important thing to bear in mind is that these supplements do help with testosterone boosting and have been clinically proven to do so. It’s also beneficial to develop a testosterone booster cycle, in other words, specific times when to take these supplements. Though we’ll share with you a few general instructions, you should always consult your doctor about these questions beforehand.

Side Effects of Taking a Testosterone Booster

Taking these supplements can result in specific side effects (and even health risks). Generally, the most common side effects include:

• hair loss
• acne flare-ups
• sleep apnea
• testicular atrophy (testicles shrinkage)
• enlargement of breasts
• enlargement of the prostate
• loss of libido
• infertility
• increased aggression levels

Some of the rarer, or more extreme side effects are hypertension or high blood pressure, higher red blood-cell count, and liver damage. This is yet another reason why you must talk to a medical expert prior to use—so you’ll know how to take a testosterone booster safely.

Is It Safe to Take Testosterone Supplements?

We’ve already discussed the potential side effects of testosterone boosters, and we’ve told you that there are more serious, though rare effects as well. All of this depends on how much testosterone you’re taking, how long you’re taking it, and especially how much of it your body lacks.

As the FDA has warned, these potentially harmful side effects can occur because these boosters are sometimes easily abused. That’s why you need to be careful with the dosage and the period of use.

When to Take a Testosterone Booster

If you’re about to undergo a specific course of therapy, you need to follow the exact instructions given to you by your doctor. With testosterone supplements, however, it’s recommended to take a dose in the morning and at night. Make sure that the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing in the evening is taking your booster.

Why Take a Testosterone Booster Before Bed

Taking a booster before going to bed can help you sleep better because many of these boosters contain zinc magnesium aspartate. ZMA’s positive effect on sleep quality is supported by different studies.

How to Take a Testosterone Booster When Fasting

It’s best to take supplements with meals, which is why you should probably avoid taking testosterone boosters while fasting. Moreover, bear in mind that not enough research is done on the correlation between testosterone and fasting. Studies on the connection between the two and how they affect each other are still inconclusive.

Should You Take an Estrogen Blocker With a Testosterone Booster?

Part of your body’s testosterone is turned into estrogen by the aromatase enzyme. So, when you begin taking testosterone boosters, you’ll effectively increase estrogen levels as well. This is why taking an estrogen blocker is a good idea.

However, you first need to test your estrogen levels to know exactly the right dosage for you because you still need to keep them optimal. As this is a process that requires far more than layman’s knowledge, make sure you’re guided by your doctor’s instructions and advice.

Bottom Line

The guidelines we’ve shared with you are general tips on how to take a testosterone booster, rather than rules that apply to every individual’s situation. Always make sure to consult your doctor—it’s rarely a good idea to start taking a supplement on your own. Also, after they give you the green light, a professional will probably be able to recommend the best testosterone boosters so you can achieve optimal results.

About the Author

Nemanja Petkovic

A driven content specialist and copywriter, Nemanja takes pride in the fact that he was among the first to find success as a content writer in his hometown of Nis, Serbia. Now, many years later, writing is his profession and calling—something he loves and will never stop doing. By regularly following the trends in SEO and content marketing, writing every day on a variety of topics, he consistently strives for improvement and new challenges—never failing to provide top-quality content for his readers.

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