How long to take clomid for low testosterone

How long to take clomid for low testosterone? This depends on a couple of things, such as:

• Secondary vs primary hypogonadism
• If TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) was used or
• What else is being done to increase testosterone naturally

Here is a quick summary of what we’re going to talk about.

What Clomid is and how it works

Clomid (the generic drug clomiphene citrate (CC)) consists of 60% enclomiphene and 40% zuclomiphene, whereas enclomiphene is 100% enclomiphene.

Clomiphene citrate is a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) that has been used since the 1960s to facilitate ovulation induction. Clomiphene treatment has also been used off-label to raise LH, FSH and low serum testosterone levels in men with secondary or idiopathic hypogonadism, and to raise low sperm counts in men with a history of male factor infertility or steroid use.

Enclomiphene works by blocking the estrogen receptor (estrogen antagonist) in the hypothalamus and pituitary, thus increasing GnRH, LH and FSH levels.

Zuclomiphene on the other hand is an estrogen receptor agonist, which causes estrogenic side effects often reported with clomiphene use. It doesn’t increase LH, but might actually lower it since it’s estrogenic. Additionally, zuclomiphene has a longer half-life (30 days) when compared to clomiphene citrate (10 hours), resulting in persistent side effects lasting beyond the therapeutic effects of the drug. Zuclomiphene is thought to be responsible for most of Clomid’s side effects.

Although Clomid consists of 60% enclomiphene and 40% zuclomiphene, after at least 6 weeks of Clomid use, the zuclomiphene to enclomiphene ratio was 20:1 (R). This indicates that estrogenic symptoms will become more noticeable with prolonged use.

So clearly Enclomiphene (Androxal) is better than Clomid.

A quick summary of enclomiphene includes that enclomiphene:

• Increases GnRH, LH and FSH
• Peaks LH 2-3 hours after dosing.
• Has a 10-hour half-life.
• Increases LH in a dose-dependent manner.
• Reaches a steady-state level at 25mg per day (R). Using more than 25mg will not result in a bigger increase in LH.
• Keeps testosterone elevated for up to 7 days after stopping.
• Has fewer side effects than Clomid, due to the lack of zuclomiphene
• Can be taken orally.

💉 Enclomiphene vs HCG: which is better?

How much can Clomid raise testosterone in men

I’m going to show you 3 studies looking at how effectively Clomid increases testosterone.

Study 1: 25 enclomiphene for 3 months

After 3 months, 12.5mg and 25mg enclomiphene increased testosterone from 210ng/dl and 209.8ng/dl to 471.9ng/dl and 405.8ng/dl, respectively. As you can see, according to this study, 25mg was not better than 12.5mg (R).

Study 2: comparing 6.25, 12.5 and 25mg enclomiphene

Enclomiphene increased testosterone in a dose-dependent manner (R). In the graph below, 25mg was better than 12.5, which was better than 6.25mg.

It also increased LH in a dose-dependent manner.

Here is the morning response in testosterone to 25mg enclomiphene. Most people were between 400-700, whereas there was one just over 800 and another up to 1000ng/dl. This means that everyone responds differently to enclomiphene. It also means that if someone is able to get 1000ng/dl with enclomiphene, they are the outlier, not the norm.

Here is what happened to their testosterone after stopping enclomiphene.

The red square is 25mg, the solid green is 12.5 and the dotted green is 6.25mg. After stopping after the 6th week, testosterone decreased a little on the 6.25 and 12mg doses but increased on the 25mg dose.

After another 7 days (2 weeks after quitting) testosterone levels were the same in all three enclomiphene groups.

One important thing to keep in mind here is that LH increased the most between the 12.5 and 25mg dose, but the 24-h average of total testosterone only increased by 27%, suggesting a dose-limiting effect on the testosterone-producing Leydig cells of the testes. This means that enclomiphene is unable to stimulate testosterone production to supraphysiological levels.

Study 3: 25mg Clomid vs 1mg anastrozole daily

In the anastrozole group, testosterone increased from 248 to 408 ng/dL at 12 weeks, whereas 25mg Clomid increased testosterone from 254 to 571 ng/dL at 12 weeks (R).

Estradiol increased from 27 to 50pg/ml. Estradiol increased a lot for the small increase in testosterone. Although the testosterone-to-estradiol ratio improved a bit, this is not favorable IMO, as excess estradiol can contribute to ED. 

Additionally, LH increased from 3.9 to 8.9 and 7.4 after 6 and 12 weeks respectively.

Article:

• How estrogen can contribute to ED (scroll down to the estrogen section).

Clomid and enclomiphene are roughly equally effective at increasing testosterone, but I still prefer enclomiphene, since it doesn’t have the estrogenic component.

In summary, Clomid increases testosterone to an average of 500-600ng/dl for most people. Some people are hyperresponders and boost their T over 1000ng/dl with Clomid.

Clomid for boosting low testosterone after TRT

If you want to use Clomid as a PCT (post-cycle therapy) then it comes down to what kind of TRT you used. The duration that exogenous testosterone stays in your system will determine how long you stay suppressed.

3 things I want to discuss in this section:

1. Testosterone before TRT
2. Kind of TRT used
3. How to increase your testosterone naturally

#1 Testosterone before TRT

If your baseline testosterone was 400ng/dl, your testosterone will likely go back down to 400ng/dl after quitting.

A lot of people say that their symptoms worsen after stopping TRT, but this is only because they’re going back to baseline. And few people remember how bad baseline felt.

In a few rare cases, natural testosterone might remain higher after stopping TRT because testosterone has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and improve Leydig cell (the cells that produce testosterone) health.

#2 Kind of TRT used

Your recovery will be influenced based on the type of TRT you used, namely oral, topical, injection, intranasal or pellet. This matters because this will determine the half-life. Your natural testosterone production can only come back when exogenous testosterone has been removed from the body.

Oral, topical and intranasal testosterone have a short half-life, which is why it’s best to use them 1-3 times daily. This means that after 24-36 hours, all of the testosterone will be out of your body. As exogenous testosterone drops, LH will start to increase.

Intranasal testosterone half life and suppression

The shorter the half-life of testosterone, the faster LH will come back. With intranasal testosterone, LH hardly drops. Some men even remain fertile while on intranasal testosterone. As you can see in this graph, testosterone is already on the decline after 60 minutes on intranasal testosterone. LH is already on the increase at 120 minutes.

➡️How to stay fertile on TRT with intranasal testosterone

Topical testosterone half-life and suppression

Topical testosterone has a little longer half-life than intranasal and it also depends on the dose used.

Here you can see that 12.5mg of scrotal testosterone is out of your system in 14 hours, 25mg for nearly 24 hours and 50mg around 36 hours (R).

Oral testosterone half-life and suppression

Oral testosterone (usually Jatenzo^®) stays in your system for about 6-8 hours. This means that you have to take a cap 2-3 times daily to keep your levels stable. This also means that once you quit, the testosterone will be out of your system quickly and your LH will bounce back quickly.

💊 Oral testosterone: good or no?

Injectable testosterone half-life and suppression

The half-life of injectable testosterone varies a lot based on the ester used. Here’s the breakdown:

• Testosterone propionate (TP): ~20 hours
• Testosterone enanthate (TE): ~4.5 days and a mean residence time of 8.5 days
• Testosterone cypionate (TC): ~8 days. However, TC is extremely comparable to TE and hence essentially the same. As such, testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate are considered to be “functionally interchangeable” as medications.
• Testosterone undecanoate (TU): elimination half-life is 20.9 days and its mean residence time is 34.9 days in tea seed oil, while its elimination half-life is 33.9 days and its mean residence time is 36.0 days in castor oil.

If you use TP, your LH should be back to normal in 2-3 days. With TE and TC it should be back to normal after 8-14 days. With TU, it should be back to normal after 4-6 weeks.

However, everyone’s recovery will differ. In this study, men received TRT for 8 months from either testosterone undecanoate Nebido^® or testosterone enanthate Jenasteron^® (R). After stopping, it took them between 2-11 months to recover their testosterone. The men using testosterone enanthate probably recovered closer to 2 months whereas the men getting testosterone undecanoate recovered closer to 11 months.

❓Will my testosterone come back after stopping TRT?

#3 How to naturally boost your testosterone

The key to high testosterone naturally is to follow certain diet and lifestyle habits.

Here are a few key things to do to get high testosterone:

• Eat enough calories
• Lose excess weight
• Improve sleep apnea
• Eat nutrient-dense foods (liver, oysters, eggs, meat, dairy, etc.)
• Exercise (both low and high intensity)
• Get ample sunlight
• Fix gut issues
• Get rid of toxins in the environment (plastics, chemicals, drugs, mold, slime, etc.)
• Keep your testes cool
• etc.

📙The complete guide on how to maximize testosterone

Clomid as an alternative to TRT

Not everyone wants to use TRT and often they don’t need to. Clomid works best for those with low LH (since it boosts LH levels).

Low LH and low testosterone

Enclomiphene and HCG are best for people with low LH and testosterone (secondary hypogonadism).

People with normal LH and low testosterone (primary hypogonadism), will likely not respond well to HCG or enclomiphene.

If LH is high/normal and testosterone low, it indicates testicular insensitivity to LH. This is often due to nutritional deficiencies and/or inflammation.

• All you need to know about LH and the LH to testosterone ratio

If your LH is low, Clomid will never restore LH permanently. Once you start Clomid, your LH should go up almost immediately, but once you stop, LH will go back to baseline.

The way to permanently increase your LH is:

• Lose excess weight
• Improve insulin sensitivity
• Lower prolactin
• Lower excess estrogen
• Reduce excess iron (and other heavy metals)
• Improve thyroid function (T3 promotes the release of LH)
• Reduce stress
• Fix nutritional deficiencies, such as low copper, zinc or manganese
• Fix gut inflammation

Normal LH and low testosterone

On the flip side, normal LH with low testosterone is much more common.

Common causes of this include:

• Nutritional deficiencies (such as selenium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B5, B6
• Excess estrogen
• Gut inflammation
• Obesity
• Chronic low-grade inflammation

How to get even better results from Clomid

To get the best from Clomid (so that you might be able to stop one day), do everything mentioned above to naturally increase your LH. Then, also implement the right things to naturally increase your testosterone.

Boosting both LH and testosterone naturally will help you to eventually not need Clomid anymore.

FAQ

How long does it take for clomid to increase testosterone?

Clomid can boost testosterone immediately (within minutes). If you look at the graph I posted above, 25mg Clomid increases testosterone to 600-700ng/dl within the hour.

So you should feel the boost quickly. However, similar to TRT, it can take weeks for the full effects to manifest. Therefore, it is advisable to be patient and allow enough time for Clomid to take effect.

The duration of Clomid treatment for increasing testosterone levels will depend on several factors, including the individual’s underlying condition, overall health, and the response to the medication.

Should men take Clomid every day?

Clomid has a half-life of 5 days, but enclomiphene (the part responsible for boosting T) has a half-life of 10.5 hours. Enclomiphene is almost completely cleared from the body within 48 hours.

Therefore it’s important to take it daily for the maximal effect.

It’s worth noting that Clomid might not be suitable or effective for everyone, and there can be potential risks and side effects associated with its usage. Therefore, it is crucial to have a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider about the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives before considering Clomid as a treatment option.

What happens when you stop taking Clomid?

Once you discontinue Clomid, your body will gradually return to its natural hormonal balance. It is crucial to note that every individual may experience different effects when stopping Clomid, and it is always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice. That being said, here are some common changes that may occur:

1. Hormonal Changes: Clomid works by affecting the production and balance of hormones in your body. Consequently, when you discontinue the medication, there may be some hormonal fluctuations as your body readjusts. However, these effects are usually mild and should subside in a short period.
2. Fertility: If you were taking Clomid to enhance fertility, it is essential to understand that the medication’s effects may not last indefinitely. Once you stop taking Clomid, your body might revert to its previous state.

How do you know Clomid is working?

When taking Clomid, it is natural to wonder if it is working as intended. Fortunately, there are a few key signs that can indicate the effectiveness of the medication.

1. Energy goes up
2. Mood improves
3. Sperm quantity and viscosity might go up
4. LH and testosterone will go up
5. You might just feel better overall.

It is important to remember that every individual responds differently to Clomid, and the effectiveness of the medication can vary. Some people are hyperresponders, whereas others hardly respond at all.

How many times can you take Clomid in a lifetime?

When it comes to the duration or limit of using Clomid in a lifetime, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional. If no serious or bothersome side effects are encountered, it can be taken for as long as you need it.

Does Clomid make men stronger?

Low testosterone can cause muscular weakness and boosting testosterone can help improve muscular strength and hypertrophy. Keep in mind that boosting testosterone from 300 to 600ng/dl with Clomid isn’t going to give you nearly the hypertrophy and strength gains as injecting 250-500mg testosterone per week.

Can Clomid cause permanent damage?

While Clomid is generally considered safe and effective, like any medication, it does come with potential side effects.

The majority of side effects associated with Clomid are mild and temporary, such as hot flashes, mood swings, visual deterioration, and bloating. These side effects usually subside on their own once Clomid is stopped. However, in rare cases, more serious adverse reactions can occur.

Is Clomid better than HCG for increasing low serum testosterone levels?

Both are more or less equally effective at increasing testosterone to the same extent. HCG is better for men with normal LH and low testosterone whereas Clomid or enclomiphene is suitable for men with low LH and testosterone. On the flip side, Clomid can be taken orally whereas HCG needs to be injected.

Is Clomid safer than testosterone replacement therapy?

The side effect profiles are more or less the same, namely:

• Tenderness of the pectoral muscle.
• Irritability.
• Acne.
• Acceleration of prostate cancer growth (if cancer is already present)

Also, Clomid can cause negative vision changes, whereas TRT reduces fertility.

However, TRT is better at improving libido, erectile function, and sports performance, whereas Clomid might actually lower libido (R).

Does Clomid build muscle?

Low testosterone leads to loss of lean muscle tissue and boosting testosterone can help improve hypertrophy. Keep in mind that boosting testosterone from 300 to 600ng/dl with Clomid isn’t going to give you nearly the hypertrophy and strength gains as injecting 250-500mg testosterone per week.

Can you buy Clomid online?

You can get generic Clomid from your doctor, or simply buy enclomiphene directly from an online vendor.

A few good sources of enclomiphene include UK sources (here and here) and US sources (here, here and here).

Summary – how long to take clomid for low testosterone

If you have low testosterone before Clomid, your testosterone is likely going to go back to that level after you stop Clomid if you do nothing else to naturally increase your testosterone.

Clomid is a good way to boost testosterone if LH is low, whether it be after TRT or for some other reason.

If your LH is low not due to exogenous hormones, then Clomid will almost immediately increase LH and testosterone. Keep in mind that even if your testosterone goes up, the benefits of testosterone might take a day days or several weeks to kick in completely.

• The complete guide on how to maximize testosterone
• How to increase free testosterone
• How to increase LH naturally

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