Why clomid has its place in PCT

Clomiphene citrate effects on testosterone/estrogen ratio in male hypogonadism.Shabsigh A, Kang Y, Shabsign R, Gonzalez M, Liberson G, Fisch H, Goluboff E.

Department of Urology, NY Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

AIM: Symptomatic late-onset hypogonadism is associated not only with a decline in serum testosterone, but also with a rise in serum estradiol. These endocrine changes negatively affect libido, sexual function, mood, behavior, lean body mass, and bone density. Currently, the most common treatment is exogenous testosterone therapy. This treatment can be associated with skin irritation, gynecomastia, nipple tenderness, testicular atrophy, and decline in sperm counts. In this study we investigated the efficacy of clomiphene citrate in the treatment of hypogonadism with the objectives of raising endogenous serum testosterone (T) and improving the testosterone/estrogen (T/E) ratio. METHODS: Our cohort consisted of 36 Caucasian men with hypogonadism defined as serum testosterone level less than 300 ng/dL. Each patient was treated with a daily dose of 25 mg clomiphene citrate and followed prospectively. Analysis of baseline and follow-up serum levels of testosterone and estradiol levels were performed. RESULTS: The mean age was 39 years, and the mean pretreatment testosterone and estrogen levels were 247.6 +/- 39.8 ng/dL and 32.3 +/- 10.9, respectively. By the first follow-up visit (4-6 weeks), the mean testosterone level rose to 610.0 +/- 178.6 ng/dL (P < 0.00001). Moreover, the T/E ratio improved from 8.7 to 14.2 (P < 0.001). There were no side effects reported by the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose clomiphene citrate is effective in elevating serum testosterone levels and improving the testosterone/estradiol ratio in men with hypogonadism. This therapy represents an alternative to testosterone therapy by stimulating the endogenous androgen production pathway.

PMID: 16422830 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

I wonder how long the subjects received the dose (25mg) for, and when the follow up was done?
And for how long will these results last, as I assume that it won't be permanent.
I'll see if I can get a full access of this study (when I have time), work and studies are keeping me hectic busy... I have access to most scientific databases, and I think this PubMed one.

Yay, that would be great!

I found it on EBSCOHost MEDLINE but its only the abstract that you gave I can't find the full text version anywhere, as the abstract is what was published in the journal, but there are a bunch of other clomid articles (clomiphene treatment for hypogonadism) including one on visual disturbances but its only for women. I think you'll like it pump.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of clomiphene citrate on vision. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Patients were referred to the University of Ottawa Eye Institute ophthalmology clinic from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Ottawa Hospital-General Campus. PATIENT(S): Eight adult females taking clomiphene citrate and experiencing visual disturbances. INTERVENTION(S): Patients received a comprehensive visual evaluation twice: once during a washout period, and once during an active clomiphene citrate treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Ophthalmologic examination, color vision, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual fields using standard automated perimetry, and foveal flicker sensitivity at high (32 Hz) and low (8 Hz) temporal frequencies. RESULT(S): We found no differences between the washout and clomiphene citrate conditions for color vision, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual fields. The only statistically significant difference was found for foveal flicker sensitivity at 32 Hz in the right eye, with a similar trend in the left eye and at 8 Hz in both eyes. CONCLUSION(S): The effect of clomiphene citrate on vision was minimal, and the visual disturbances were reversible in all patients. A bilateral reduction in flicker sensitivity was the only observed visual disturbance. Women who experience visual symptoms associated with clomiphene citrate should be monitored, but therapy can usually be maintained. (Copyright 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This is the only clomid/hypogonadism full text article I could get now...
(Add File button doesn't work......) I'll try to upload to the downloads section

EDIT: Ok its under miscellaneous in die download section, I haven't read it yet...