WHY IS MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBING ME CLOMID FOR LOW TESTOSTERONE?

NovaGenix  May 25^th, 2022

We all know that the testosterone levels in men begin to decrease slowly over time. When men reach their mid-20’s a shift begins to take place and hormone levels in men on average will start to decline between 1 and 2% annually. There are many other possible causes of Low T in men. Factors such as genetics, age, medications and other medical factors like diabetes, obesity or cancer are all examples of things that could cause a disruption to the endocrine system causing male andropause.For men over 50 years old with low testosterone levels, there are many well documented benefits to raising T levels to within optimal ranges. Being able to fight the symptoms of low testosterone can include improving libido, fatigue, mood, ED/PE issues, Weight gain, muscle loss, improved sleep and more.  There are various protocols to offer individual patients regarding their hormone replacement therapy. Testosterone supplementation can be done in many forms including compounded cream/gels, patches, pellets and most prescribed are injections. Typically compounded testosterone cypionate from a licensed US pharmacy is prescribed however other forms of testosterone are available. The physician in the patient will determine which type of testosterone delivery is best suited as well as the dose and frequency.

How can you increase testosterone?It is important to speak with an experienced physician who can help test for low testosterone and thus accurately diagnose and potentially treat.  An experienced TRT physician will be nuanced in helping a patient reach an optimal hormone balance which addresses both blood test results for hormone levels, as well as the signs and symptoms of hypogonadism.For patients that are looking for a natural way to raise testosterone, without starting testosterone injections or to supplement the use of TRT without shutting down testicular function, two medication come to mind. Both clomiphene citrate (clomid) and enclomiphene are popular medications for TRT protocols. Since the recent regulatory changes regarding hCG, enclomiphene/clomid have become popular to replace human chorionic gonadotropin. Both are very similar medications and have similar functions which is why they can be considered interchangeable for this discussion. Low dosing of enclomiphene is effective in raising serum testosterone levels and helping balance the testosterone/estrogen ratio in males who have hypogonadism.Clomid stimulates the androgen production pathway which is why it can be an effective medication for TRT.  Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) has been around for a long time and is FDA approved. It is a popular fertility treatment due to its ability to increase spermatogenesis in males as well as increase serum testosterone levels. Clomid’s use in TRT is typically to help maintain testosterone balance as well as prevent the side effects from exogenous testosterone injections.

How to know if you have low testosterone?The hypothalamic pituitary testicular axis, or HPTA is a cycle that detects hormone levels in the blood and then regulates them by releasing other hormones from the hypothalamus and pituitary to stimulate testosterone production.  Clomid can help keep the natural testicular function of a man going while on testosterone therapy and prevent things like testicular atrophy or fertility issues from occurring.Clomid works by blocking estrogen at both the hypothalamus and pituitary.  Estrogen disrupts the releasing of luteinizing hormone, or LH which stimulates the testes to produce testosterone.  Some testosterone gets converted into estradiol and by blocking estrogen at the hypothalamus and pituitary, the pituitary continues to produce LH which continues to stimulate sperm and testosterone production in the testes.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy with clomid

For many patients Clomid can be an excellent adjunct to testosterone replacement therapy protocols for all the benefits mentioned above.  For some patients it’s even used as a mono-therapy. It’s commonly used to treat fertility issues in men and can exclude many of the side effects associated with testosterone replacement while providing some of the benefits.  It is also taken as a pill or capsule making it more convenient than subcutaneous injections.Most patients will begin to see the benefits of Clomid after a few weeks of taking the medication.  Many factors can determine the effectiveness of a TRT protocol such as original testosterone levels, genetics, age, lifestyle choices, other medication etc.  Having said that, it seems that Clomid is the best replacement for hCG in many doctors’ opinions which is why it is gaining popularity. Many clinics are prescribing Gonadorelin for TRT, an injectable medication, however that medication is not convenient for a typical TRT patient as it would require multiple daily injections to do what hCG or Clomid can.Clomid for men on TRT is a good alternative for hCG and something that needs to be prescribed by a physician.  If you would like to learn more about how we can help test, diagnose and treat you for low testosterone and discuss options regarding TRT with clomid, or hCG, please feel free to fill out our new patient intake form and we will be able to schedule a physician consultation with you.  Call or text us at (561) 277-8260 or email us at info@novagenix.org to schedule an appointment of find out more information.

Frequently asked questions

"How long does it take for Clomid to increase testosterone?"

It varies for every patient but typically it will take a few weeks before serum testosterone levels are elevated.

"Does Clomid increase testosterone?"

Yes, as well as sperm production

"How much will clomid raise testosterone?"

It will be different for every patient so it’s important to have blood work pre and post starting clomid to see how much of an increase in testosterone production each individual will have. For patients looking to maintain testicular function and optimize their testosterone levels, clomid may be a great option.

"How often do I take clomid?"

Clomid protocols will be different for some patients but on average you could expect to take a capsule or pill 3 times a week, though this will be different for some patients which is why an experienced physician is so important.

609 North Hepburn Ave Suite 106, Jupiter, Florida 33458web:  www.NovaGenix.org   Phone: 561-277-8260   email:  info@novagenix.org