Test Booster (custom formulation)

Increase endogenous systemic and intratesticular testosterone in hypogonadal men. Testosterone may support improved muscle mass and strength, libido, energy level and mood and cognition.

• Preserve sperm count and fertility in men with fertility aspirations.
• Compared to exogenous testosterone, Test Booster will not lead to testicular atrophy.

Potential Side Effects

• Headache and nausea
• Nausea
• Visual disturbances (blurring)
• Estrogenic side effects such as gynecomastia, bloating or mood swings
• Joint pain, back pain, bone pain, osteoporosis, fatigue, skin rashes, depression (from anastrozole)

Clomiphene is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). Clomiphene antagonizes estrogen in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis to induce Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). LH stimulates the Leydig cells to produce testosterone. The resulting high intratesticular testosterone supports spermatogeneis. FSH works synergistically with LH, acting on the Sertoli cells of the testes and play a role in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, and sperm quality. DHEA and progesterone play a supporting role in testosterone synthesis. DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA may also contribute to improved mood, energy levels and body composition. Anastrozole is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor which suppresses estrogen synthesis and helps to counter the estrogenic side effects of clomiphene.

Q. Strive offers Test Booster with or without anastrozole. Which version is for me?

A. Some of the increased testosterone induced by Test Booster therapy invariably gets converted into estrogen. For the most part, this is desirable. When testosterone and estrogen increase in tandem, it may amplify anabolic and libido effects. The increase in estrogen may also have cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects, improve bone mineral density and body composition, and enhance mood and cognition. However, some men, especially if obese, may have high aromatase activity that results in excessive estrogenic effects, such as fluid retention and breast tenderness. Your provider, after assessing testosterone:estrogen ratio and severity of symptoms, may consider bringing anastrozole on board to counter these side effects.^6,7,8

1 . Li Y, Ren J, Li N, Liu J, Tan SC, Low TY, Ma Z. A dose-response and meta-analysis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone levels: perinatal prediction of randomized clinical trials. Exp Gerontol. 2020 Nov;141:111110. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.111110. Epub 2020 Oct 10. PMID: 33045358.

2 . Huijben M, Lock MTWT, de Kemp VF, de Kort LMO, van Breda HMK. Clomiphene citrate for men with hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Andrology. 2022 Mar;10(3):451-469. doi: 10.1111/andr.13146. Epub 2022 Jan 8. PMID: 34933414.

3. Jeyaprakash N, Maeder S, Janka H, Stute P. A systematic review of the impact of 7-keto-DHEA on body weight. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023 Sep;308(3):777-785. doi: 10.1007/s00404-022-06884-8. Epub 2022 Dec 25. PMID: 36566478; PMCID: PMC10348924.

4. Guo B, Li JJ, Ma YL, Zhao YT, Liu JG. Efficacy and safety of letrozole or anastrozole in the treatment of male infertility with low testosterone-estradiol ratio: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Andrology. 2022 Jul;10(5):894-909. doi: 10.1111/andr.13185. Epub 2022 Apr 26. PMID:35438843.

5. Nagy B, Szekeres-Barthó J, Kovács GL, Sulyok E, Farkas B, Várnagy Á, Vértes V, Kovács K, Bódis J. Key to Life: Physiological Role and Clinical Implications of Progesterone. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Oct 13;22(20):11039. doi: 10.3390/ijms222011039. PMID: 34681696; PMCID: PMC8538505.

6. Mauvais-Jarvis, Franck, and Sarah H. Lindsey. "Metabolic benefits afforded by estradiol and testosterone in both sexes: clinical considerations." The Journal of Clinical Investigation 134.17 (2024).

7. Finkelstein, Joel S., et al. "Gonadal steroids and body composition, strength, and sexual function in men." New England Journal of Medicine 369.11 (2013): 1011-1022.

8. Gharahdaghi, Nima, et al. "Links between testosterone, oestrogen, and the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis and resistance exercise muscle adaptations." Frontiers in physiology 11 (2021): 621226.