How do natural / over the counter T boosters work ? Are they the kind of stuff that people get named and shamed for, or do they simply not work ?

WD :-)

Have you actually had a sperm count done? Having lowish T doesn't necessarily mean you have no swimmers.
My T numbers are at the bottom, and sometimes below, the normal range. We have 2 kids.
Tried for a little while (months) with no luck, then wife used one of those ovulation monitor/sticks to time things right, bam, preggers.

I'm confused. You and you wife are trying to have a baby and a testosterone level gets ordered. Has a semen analysis been ordered? That would give you some useful information without that I don't think you can make any conclusions as to why you are not having success. Of all the patients I have had with infertility issues I cannot recall low T being an issue that was pursued.

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They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

Yes, all true, but to be honest I think it has affected my libido quite a bit!

I also don't want to get crap at triathlon because of a low T!

Have you had a semen analysis done? Light years more relevant to infertility investigation then checking testosterone levels

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They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

No, they won't do one for me until we have been trying with no success for a year.

I'm not after success stories about fertility, just anyone who got their T level up without stopping training or drugs!

Matt Bach is a high-level amateur who won Ironman Maryland in its first year. He has documented his battle with Low T but to a much greater level of granularity than anyone I have seen. He has take his numbers from <200 to about 600. I have no idea how he has done it, he explains it be a bit, but his first of many many blogs posts is here:

As many know I recently got a full blood test done and my T numbers weren't great. As I understand Free T is more important than anything else and the company I went with basically has just tested high-level athletes and has a large database of numbers. I was explained that my numbers are very common as far as professional athletes go and that given the rest of my biomarkers that it was unlikely to change much this season. Unfortunately, I didn't ask what would happen if I quit cold turkey. For any of those interested my complete results are here:

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6 years ago mine was low and the doc scribbled me out a prescription without any hesitation. However, he wouldn't give me one for a sleep aid . I did some research (mostly here on ST) and never filled the script. Mt T was back in the "normal" range within in a year. (For an old guy)
In addition to your plan I would also in order of importance
1 . Increase healthy fats.
2. Be sure you are getting the enough protein
3. Include intervals in your training.

Have you had a semen analysis done? Light years more relevant to infertility investigation then checking testosterone levels //

Perhaps they are not so worried about the bullet and its effectiveness if the gun won't fire it first?? (-;

If his T levels are even close to the normal range (even the low part of normal), its probably not causing ED.
Maybe try viagra?

How do you know if it has affected your libido? Do you know when your T levels dropped, were you tracking it?
Libido can be affected by a lot of things having nothing to do with sex. Again, I'm very low T, but we had 2 kids no prob, and if I had my way, we'd never leave the bedroom (but no more kids...)!
As for getting crap at tri's, again, I really think you are looking at the wrong reasons.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I think the OP made it clear he is not after success stories about infertility. Sounds like his wife might be but I am done posting on this one.

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They constantly try to escape from the darkness outside and within
Dreaming of systems so perfect that no one will need to be good T.S. Eliot

Basically I often can't be arsed!
I just don't have the drive! This is why I figure my testosterone is related.

Don't get me wrong, I care about the fertility, but also my general health.

Wait, you're trying to conceive with your wife and you think taking T is the solution? Is that correct?

I'm no endocrinologist, but T naturally inhibits the production of hormones that stimulate the production of sperm (GnRH, FSH). Taking T is known to kill sperm production (that's why some juicers have tiny balls) and would just make conception harder.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that you start a round of something that would boost up GnRH or FSH to get sperm count up. T levels might also rise with GnRH.

Also, keep in mind that it takes ~64days for new sperm to be made. So any treatment you start today, whether it be natural or drug induced, won't really benefit you for another couple of months.

Can't be arsed? I've never understood that. My wife actually sleeps with a pillow in between us, if I had my way it would be on like donkey kong every day, several times a day! I'm 35, and if anything I feel hornier now that I did in my mid 20's!

That's my point. It really makes me feel like I'm not a normal man

Sorry, I didn't mean for that to come across as some sort of slight, so I apologise if it did. Have you tried anything out of the ordinary to get yourselves out of the 'rut'? Everyone goes through those down periods, sometimes all that's needed is a nice weekend away to rekindle the 'interest'!

So maybe the low T isn't a cause, but a symptom? A hopeful course of action might be to look at other factors running you down (work stress, lack of rest and play, etc) and try to mix it up a little (chop wood, halve your training volume and throw in some intervals, etc).

I mean...is your wife hot?

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Merge Multisport Founder & Head Coach
USAT Level 2 - Short & Long Course
Ironman Certified
Brevard, NC

Indeed. Pics might help 😎

Right? Not to be a dick, but my libido would be shit if I was married to Rosie O

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Merge Multisport Founder & Head Coach
USAT Level 2 - Short & Long Course
Ironman Certified
Brevard, NC

No idea at all about T levels, but my libido is highly [negatively] correlated with training/fatigue levels. That correlation has been going up over time (I'm now 37).

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

Yes, pretty dam hot!

I used to not be able to keep hands off!

Sounds like you probably just lack some excitement in the bedroom. Throw her up on the kitchen counter or something.

Insert freakiness. Gain erection. Make babies.

You're welcome

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Merge Multisport Founder & Head Coach
USAT Level 2 - Short & Long Course
Ironman Certified
Brevard, NC