"Good" Clomid #'s but feel so-so

[UJMRYDER]

Wondering if anyone else has had the same experience and thoughts to why.

Me: 42 yrs old, GP prescribed testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for low T / low free T (305ttl - 5.2?free) 5'-9" 170lbs +/-16%BF

No AAS, testicle trauma, or anything out of ordinary.

Did 8 weeks of 200 mg cypionate every two weeks. Saw improvements in everything from libido, brain fog, energy, sense of wellness, erections, etc. For the most part, I felt fantastic. Did have some highs and lows but not as bad towards week 8.

Wife wanted to look into IVF for kids and Doc prescribed Clomid (25mg every day). Have been doing that for 4 weeks and I do not feel as bad as before testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) (cypionate) I do not feel much better either.

I did bloods friday (female hormone panel) and came back with:

Total T = 788 (348-1197)
LH = 8.2 (1.7-8.6)
FSH = 8.5 (1.5-12.4)
Estriodal=31.7 (7.6-42.6)

My questions:

Does this mean that chances are I have secondary hypogonadism?

Is the Estriodal value basically worthless?

Why don't I feel any better?

Could I still have very low free T or would it have somewhat directly increased with the Total?

As a side note my doc ordered blood work for 1 week after I had my last shot. I do not remember exactly but I believe my total was around 900 and my free was around 19. Unsure of the units but she was pleased and noted that my free was at the upper range of normal.

Just confused I guess. I thought the labs would show bottomed out T and evidence that I am primary.

Still trying to educate myself. Thanks

 

[babyface58]

Hey, I have a similar story to you...

Was on Injections and felt amazing...

But then I switched to Clomid... I felt better than I did when I wasn't on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), but it still felt like something was missing... My T levels were only in the 700's and I felt MUCH better when they were up at 900+

So my doc put me on Topical Testosterone Gel 50MG/day + HCG 3x a week. Click here to see the details of my testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) protocol.

Long story short it got my T levels back up to 1,027 and I feel amazing. My doc also said he hasn't had one patient on this protocol who hasn't been able to have kids when they switch back to Clomid.

 

[UJMRYDER]

Hey, thanks for the response. Good to know that maybe I am not alone.

It's just weird to see a good T result but not really any of the benefits. Well, some of the benefits but just a bare minimum like you were saying about feeling a little better that not being on TRT.

I poked around on the interwebs a little yesterday and different people have different theories. One person equated the problem with resting metabolic rate. Basically, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) people have a lower resting metabolic rate than people that have had supraphysiological levels for any length of time so Clomid is processed poorly.

Another theory says something to the effect of Clomid "mimicking" estrogen at the pituitary then it also mimicks estrogenic issues.

Both groups/people appeared to know what they are talking about but, hey, its the internet so who knows?

Just glad to see that other(s) have had similar experiences. Sometimes it is hard for me to tell if its really my body or just my mind.

Thanks again for your response.

 

[THE-DET-OAK]

Another theory says something to the effect of Clomid "mimicking" estrogen at the pituitary then it also mimicks estrogenic issues.

This is correct. This is the reason Clomid is so effective at stimulating testosterone production, because it mimics estrogen at the pituitary and stimulates GNRH reception.

as you said though it has some drawbacks too.