Thanks for the response. I am 63, with some issues (hypertension, past blood clot, sleep apnea) for which I am being treated and stable. Both TT and FT are less than optimal. I wanted to first try compounds that could help optimize T levels naturally so I started with herbal boosters and recently, kisspeptin-10.
This is the same story of most people our age in this forum. At some point I had my paycheck deposited directly at the VitaminShoppe, then switched to Amazon, all for naught.
Not surprisingly, I didn't ever see any increase with the boosters, but the KS-10 did seem to somewhat improve my FT level but not much for TT. Due to my aforementioned health issues, I have always been hesitant to start straight TRT since it can make all those things worse.
I understand, hypertension and blood clots are something to be concerned about with TRT.
I had known of
enclomiphene for several years, but waited to see more anecdotal reports from users like yourself. I finally decided to try it, being aware that, like you and many others, you look great on paper, but get nothing in terms of the subjective benefits. At least I can pout down for the record that I tried it before making the jump to TRT, dosing to be very similar to yours.
Same here, are copying me? ;-)
How long were you on
enclomiphene and did you stop cold turkey and go immediately to TRT?
My story is more complex. I started with hCG, 2000IU/week in July 2021, in September I had the best two weeks of my post 50 year old life, in every sense, only to fade away after 2 weeks. I was on hCG for 2 more months, and then
Empower Pharmacy stopped compounding hCG and i freaked out and quit cold turkey. My doctor put me on
Enclomiphene 12.5 mg in January ‘22, after 3 months my total T was 768 (from 300) and at 6 months it was 1183 ng/dL, however, not much improvement. A bit more willing to workout, but nothing much. Then tendinitis started which I never had before (but I’d never been 58 before either).
Right at that time, FDA was leaning towards banning compounded
Enclomiphene as well, so I quit cold turkey and switched urologist. Thinking of my experience with hCG, I asked him to prescribe it again, which he did. I tried it and although I felt better (wellbeing) libido and arousal were not where I wanted. I asked him about adding
Enclomiphene 3 times a week, which he agreed. And nothing. Total T was 888 ng/dL, I felt well in general, but nothing much in terms of sexual health.
Here are the records from my time on
Enclomiphene monotherapy at 12.5 mg/day
Last month I asked him about TRT and he agreed, so I quit hCG cold turkey and it was hard for the first week, but as soon as I started TRT things started to improve. Still my third week, so I cannot draw any conclusions. No labs either, but sexual health has started to slightly improve, so I’m hopeful. In terms of wellbeing, I’m a little anxious, but again, need to wait until everything stabilizes.
QuitIMG
Enclomiphene cold turkey is not going to be a problem because your HPG is still working, there may be an adjustment but it won’t be critic. With hCG or TRT is hard, because both suppress your HP, so it takes time to restart and while T is low you are going to feel bad. TRT is worse, because at least with hCG the testes are working.
You mentioned nipple sensitivity on
enclomiphene. Did you see an spike in estradiol?
Nipples are now sensitive and frequently erect, areola is normal (no change) and not puffy. No gynecomastia. Estradiol goes up with both
Enclomiphene and hCG simply because test goes up. It was never above 50 pg/ml, average was probably 35 or 40. My urologist was not concerned.
Are you using any other compounds, supplements, etc. that you feel are helping you?
Nothing at the moment other than Cialis which I need for the prostate and vitamin D3/K2
(I have been on Metformin for a year now, taking it for anti-aging and many other benefits, not diabetic. But it reduced my T levels by 40% after a few months).
Even though I may take risks with “supplements” I’m not one to take prescription medications for “potential” benefits. No UGL or “Indian” pharmacies either.
Do you resistance train several times/week?
Yes, I do resistance training 4 times a week and walk 5 miles a day. I probably will reduce it to 3 times a week as my shoulders and elbows are killing me, and fill the other 2 days with rowing or light cardio.
Happy to answer any of your questions. I was once where you are and appreciate the help I got from this forum.