SAN T2 Xtreme: Does it Live Up to the Hype?

While we may have missed the memo, according to SAN Nutrition:

“it is quite obvious that T2 Xtreme created and redefined yet another fat burning category in the bodybuilding world which was previously unthinkable outside of dangerous and illegal prescription drugs. In your never ending quest for cellophane-thin skin, make T2 Xtreme an ally!”

So clearly SAN T2 Xtreme is a diet supplement that is marketed towards bodybuilders as they’re the only group that typically looks for “cellophane-thin” skin, but we’ve had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how SAN T2 Xtreme can call itself “the most powerful non-stimulating fat burner in the world.”  It does contain an ingredient that may or may not affect your body’s TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels, but the research results are far from not definitive.

How Does SAN T2 Xtreme Work?

According to the company, SAN T2 Xtreme works by maximizing fat metabolism through an increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).  While it doesn’t give you a direct dose of TSH (thyroxine), SAN T2 Xtreme contains a chemical precursor to it that is taken from beef livers.  Typically when you increase a hormone level in your body, it will decrease natural production of that hormone in order to maintain equilibrium, but somehow SAN Nutrition claims to avoid this with a “complicated pairing of ingredients that took researchers over 4 years to figure out.”  Gee, it sure would be nice to see that research…

In any case, from the published studies on its main ingredients, it looks like it should, in fact, suppress natural TSH levels which might account for some users reportedly feeling “lethargic” while using it. In the event that SAN T2 does temporarily stimulate your thyroid, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be losing significant weight or cutting down on body fat.

SAN T2 Xtreme Side Effects

Somehow SAN Nutrition gets away with not listing any potential side effects for SAN T2 Xtreme, but some users have reported lethargy, headaches and muscle fatigue while using the main ingredients in it. The official site gives no other safety information but elsewhere we have found warnings that you should consult with a doctor before taking this diet supplement if you have or are at risk for heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, psychiatric conditions, difficulty in urinating, prostate enlargment, or seizure disorders.  You shouldn’t use SAN T2 Xtreme if you are under 18 or if you are pregnant or nursing.

SAN T2 Xtreme Ingredient Highlights

The two ingredients in SAN T2 Xtreme are two versions (isomers) of the same chemical which have slightly different effects.  They are precursors to TSH but require iodine to be activated.  Each pill is meant to be taken 3 times daily and contains:

• 3,3′-Diiodo-L-Thyronine (100 mcg)
• 3,5′-Diiodo-L-Thyronine (100 mcg)

In published research available in the national library of medicine, the first isomer had “no effect on TSH, whatever the dose” whereas the second actually had the effect of “suppressing the TSH level by about 75% compared to control.”  These studies were done on rats of course, so its hard to gauge the real effects as no published clinical studies done on humans are available. As for their claim of getting you “cellophane-thin” skin, there is absolutely nothing about these chemicals that would do that for you.

Should You Try SAN T2 Xtreme?

So, SAN T2 Xtreme may be generally safe but there is no reliable evidence that it will stimulate your metabolism through increasing TSH levels.  In fact, it may do the opposite.  As if that weren’t enough to sway our opinion of this diet supplement, the company made it even easier by pricing one bottle of SAN T2 Xtreme at $60 (though with shipping, etc. it comes out to about $70).  Yes, you can find it for less through other vendors, but then you don’t get the 30 day money-back guarantee.

Bottom line: SAN T2 Xtreme has no reliable evidence of promoting significant weight loss, so we see no good reason to try it over so many other diet supplements.