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Feeling the Impact of Low T
For months, I felt like a shadow of my former self. The constant fatigue, the lack of motivation, the subtle but persistent feeling of… well, just not being myself. I knew something was off. In October 2023, my suspicions were confirmed: my testosterone levels were alarmingly low.
- Total Testosterone: 297 ng/dL.
- Free Testosterone: 10.3 pg/mL.
- LH: 0.3 mIU/mL.
- FSH: 0.3 mIU/mL.
These numbers weren’t just low; they were way below the normal range. I wasn’t just reading numbers on a page; I was living them, experiencing the real impact of low testosterone.
In March 2024, I received a diagnosis of secondary hypogonadism, meaning my testicles weren’t getting the signals they needed from my pituitary gland to produce testosterone. My doctor’s initial recommendation? Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). While TRT is a common treatment, I was hesitant. I didn’t want to deal with potential testicular shrinkage! I wanted to explore alternatives that could stimulate my natural testosterone production. This led me to research options, and that’s when I discovered enclomiphene.
What is Enclomiphene? Understanding This Low T Treatment Option
So, what is enclomiphene exactly? It’s a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). In simpler terms, enclomiphene works by helping to block estrogen receptors in the pituitary gland. This action is crucial because it encourages the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are the key messengers that then stimulate the testes to produce testosterone. Learning what enclomiphene is gave me hope that this could be the natural path I was looking for to boost my testosterone.
Delving Deeper: What Does Enclomiphene Do?
Building on understanding what enclomiphene is, the next question was: what does enclomiphene do in the body to actually improve things? Essentially, what it does is target the root cause of secondary hypogonadism by encouraging your body to produce more of its own testosterone. By increasing LH levels, enclomiphene directly impacts testicular health in a positive way.
Enclomiphene and Testicular Health: A Personal Observation
One of the often-cited benefits of enclomiphene, and something I personally experienced, is an increase in testicular size and weight. This is a direct result of the increased LH levels stimulated by enclomiphene. As LH is the hormone that signals the testes to produce testosterone, when LH levels are higher, the testes work harder and, in many cases, can increase in size and weight. For me, this was a welcome side effect, and as you can see in my photos, there was a noticeable change.
The Starting Point: October 2023 Baseline
Let’s reiterate those initial numbers:
- Total Testosterone: 297 ng/dL
- Free Testosterone: 10.3 pg/mL
- LH: 0.3 mIU/mL
- FSH: 0.3 mIU/mL
These numbers weren’t just statistics; they were a reflection of how I felt. Low energy, decreased libido, and a general sense of malaise. I was ready for a change and to explore what enclomiphene could do for me.
Embarking on Enclomiphene: The 12.5 mg Daily Dose – My Journey Begins
On March 7, 2024, I started enclomiphene at a dosage of 12.5 mg once daily. I was cautiously optimistic and keen to see how long enclomiphene would take to work for me. I had read about the potential benefits, but I also knew there could be side effects. I was determined to document my journey meticulously to understand.
The Remarkable Turnaround: April 2024 Results – How Quickly Did Enclomiphene Work?
Just over a month later, on April 11, 2024, I had my blood work rechecked. This was my answer to how long enclomiphene takes to work – and the results were astonishingly fast for me!
- Total Testosterone: 942 ng/dL
- Free Testosterone: 21 pg/mL
- LH: 16.6 mIU/mL
- FSH: 2.7 mIU/mL
My testosterone levels had skyrocketed! I felt a surge of energy, my mood improved, and I felt like my old self again. The dramatic increase in LH indicated that the **enclomiphene was effectively doing what it’s supposed to do**, stimulating my pituitary gland. Which included my balls increasing in size and weight! Freaking loving the results so far! It was incredible to experience **what enclomiphene can do** in such a short time.
The Plateau: June 2024 Results – Continued Monitoring on Enclomiphene
I continued on the same dose, and in June 2024, I had another blood test. Here’s what I found:
- Total Testosterone: 909 ng/dL
- Free Testosterone: 21.9 pg/mL
- LH: 3.2 mIU/mL
- FSH: 14.5 mIU/mL
While my testosterone levels remained high, I noticed a significant drop in LH and a substantial increase in FSH. This change concerned me. What does this shift mean while on enclomiphene? I felt good, but the labs changed. I will be discussing this with my doctor to better understand what enclomiphene is doing long-term in my body.
Pros and Cons: Enclomiphene vs. TRT – Weighing Treatment Options
Enclomiphene:
Pros: Stimulates natural testosterone production, potentially preserving fertility, a path to understanding **what enclomiphene can do** naturally.
Cons: Requires regular monitoring, potential for fluctuating hormone levels, and the long term effects are still being researched, and **how enclomiphene works** long term is still being studied.
TRT:
Pros: Provides consistent testosterone levels, often with rapid symptom relief.
Cons: Can suppress natural testosterone production, potential for side effects, and requires lifelong treatment.
My Personal Reflections and Insights on Using Enclomiphene
My experience with enclomiphene has been eye-opening. The rapid improvement in my testosterone levels was remarkable, showing me how quickly enclomiphene can work. However, the fluctuations in LH and FSH highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and understanding what enclomiphene does over time. I have had no noticeable side effects, reinforcing the positive aspects of what enclomiphene offers. I am very happy that I chose this path. I am still taking Enclomiphene, and I receive it from a compound pharmacy called CareFirstRX. It does require a prescription from a medical healthcare provider.
In Summary: Addressing Your Key Questions About Enclomiphene
- What is Enclomiphene? Enclomiphene is a SERM that helps your body naturally produce more testosterone by blocking estrogen receptors in the pituitary gland, leading to increased LH and FSH production.
- What Does Enclomiphene Do? Enclomiphene encourages your pituitary gland to release more LH and FSH. These hormones then stimulate your testes to produce more testosterone. This can lead to improvements in energy, libido, mood, and even testicular size, as I experienced.
- How Long Does Enclomiphene Take to Work? In my personal experience, I saw a significant and positive change in my testosterone levels in just over a month. Blood tests around the one-month mark showed a dramatic increase, indicating that enclomiphene can work relatively quickly for some individuals.
Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog post is based on my personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. I am not a medical professional. Enclomiphene is currently not FDA-approved for the treatment of secondary hypogonadism. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or making changes to your existing regimen. The use of enclomiphene for hypogonadism is considered off-label, and the safety and efficacy of this use have not been fully established by the FDA.
