Everything shared here is based on my own research and personal experience. While I strive to provide accurate and well-researched information, I am not a doctor. Always conduct your own research, consult with a medical professional if needed, and make informed decisions based on your own circumstances. I may be wrong at times, and I welcome discussion and differing perspectives.
In my previous diary entry, I outlined the initial steps in working with Maximus Tribe—covering their subscription plans, intake questionnaire, assigned doctor process, and my experience with their blood collection kit. Everything went smoothly, and just one day after mailing my blood sample, I received my lab results.
However, these results differ significantly from the lab work I had done at Quest Diagnostics just weeks prior, and the discrepancies raise a few questions.
Comparing My Lab Results: Maximus Tribe vs. Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics (January 27, 2025)
• Total Testosterone: 494 ng/dL
• Free Testosterone: 67 pg/mL
• IGF-1: 120 ng/mL
• Estradiol (E2): 27 pg/mL
Maximus Tribe (February 14, 2025)
• Total Testosterone: 295.0 ng/dL
• Free Testosterone: 48.2 pg/mL
• Vitamin D: 41.0 ng/mL
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH): 2.3 IU/L
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): 2.4 IU/L
• Estradiol (E2): 15.6 pg/mL
• Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG): 44.3 nmol/L
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): 18.0 U/L
• Total Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): 1.5 ng/mL
Why Are My New Lab Results So Different?
1. Time of Day & Testing Methods
• Testosterone levels are generally highest in the morning, and lowest in the afternoon/evening due to natural circadian rhythms.
• My Quest lab work was drawn in the afternoon, while my Maximus sample was taken fasted in the morning, which should have led to a higher, not lower, result.
• Testing methods may differ between Quest Diagnostics and the lab used by Maximus. I plan to reach out to Maximus for clarification.
2. Impact of Diet & Deficit on Testosterone
• I have been in a caloric deficit since November 2024, dropping from 203 lbs to 186 lbs.
• Long-term calorie restriction can suppress testosterone production, although I have not experienced symptoms of extreme fatigue, weakness, or major libido loss.
• My macros prioritize high protein (196g/day) and low fat (45g/day), which could contribute to lower testosterone if fat intake is too low.
3. Hormonal Changes and SHBG Impact
• Lower LH (2.3 IU/L) and FSH (2.4 IU/L) indicate potential secondary hypogonadism, which enclomiphene is specifically designed to treat.
• Higher SHBG (44.3 nmol/L) binds more testosterone, reducing available free testosterone.
• Lower Estradiol (E2 at 15.6 pg/mL) follows the trend of decreased testosterone, as T aromatizes into E2. This reduction could impact mood, libido, and recovery.
Maximus Tribe’s Treatment Plan
Dr. Eric Wright reviewed my results and approved me for enclomiphene treatment. Here’s the protocol he provided:
• Enclomiphene Citrate: 25 mg per day
• “Building Blocks” Supplement: 3 capsules daily (not included for me right now)
• Retesting after 4 weeks to monitor hormone response
• Refill questionnaire available 13 days before renewal
The plan seems fairly standard, but I was not given the opportunity to discuss dosage before the prescription was automatically submitted. 25 mg per day is much higher than I plan to take. Here is a summarization of the message I received from my doctor:
Dr. Eric Wright reviewed your labs and confirmed you are a good candidate for enclomiphene treatment, emphasizing that while testosterone levels fluctuate, symptom improvement is the primary goal. Your prescribed protocol is 25 mg of enclomiphene daily, with an optional “Building Blocks” supplement if included in your subscription. He strongly recommends retesting labs after 4 weeks to assess hormone response and determine if a dose adjustment is needed. If you ordered your initial labs through Maximus, a repeat kit should be automatically sent, but you can also request one through the portal. Refills require a questionnaire to track side effects and potential dosage changes, available 13 days before your next shipment. The pharmacy will process your order within 2-3 days, with shipping taking 3-5 days. Dr. Wright also provided evidence-based lifting and nutrition guidance, recommending a progressive resistance training approach, adequate protein intake (0.7-1g per pound of body weight), and a strategic bulk/cut cycle based on body fat percentage. He stresses prioritizing muscle mass before cardio and warns that building muscle requires a caloric surplus. For further science-backed lifting advice, he recommends Renaissance Periodization (Dr. Mike Israetel) and 3DMJ (Dr. Eric Helms).
My Adjusted Enclomiphene Plan
Instead of the prescribed 25 mg daily, I plan to start with 6.75 mg every other day.
• This lower dose has worked well for many men in anecdotal reports.
• My goal is to minimize side effects while still increasing testosterone production.
• At this rate, my one-month supply will last roughly 8 months.
• I will evaluate symptoms and blood work before increasing dosage.
I will be contacting Maximus Tribe to see how I should handle the automatic prescription renewals since I won’t be going through my supply nearly as quickly as expected.
What’s Next?
Before officially starting my enclomiphene protocol, I want to establish a clear baseline of where I stand both in strength and physique. Over the next week, I will be testing my max lifts in key compound movements. While I have avoided squats and deadlifts due to previous injuries, I may test my numbers there as well, as they serve as valuable indicators of strength progression. These numbers will provide an objective measure of whether enclomiphene has a tangible effect on my strength over time.
Additionally, I’ll be taking baseline progress photos to document any changes in body composition. While testosterone levels and gym performance are measurable metrics, visual progress is just as important when evaluating the effectiveness of a protocol like this. I want to track whether enclomiphene contributes to noticeable improvements in muscle fullness, fat distribution, or overall aesthetics.
By locking in these baseline numbers and images before my first dose, I’ll have a concrete reference point to compare against in the coming weeks and months.
1. Wrapping Up My Cut
• I plan to end my cut this week and transition into a main-gain phase with a slight caloric surplus (~200 calories/day).
• Protein will remain high, while fats will increase slightly to support hormonal health.
2. Receiving and Starting Enclomiphene
• My prescription should arrive within the next week.
• My goal is to track progress meticulously, including gym performance, energy levels, libido, mood, and potential side effects.
• I will log my progress here and may create a dashboard to visualize changes in testosterone, weight, strength, and diet.
3. Future Blood Testing
• I plan to take Maximus’ follow-up blood test at 4 weeks.
• After that, I will likely use an independent lab (e.g., Quest or LabCorp) for continued monitoring to remove any potential conflict of interest.
Final Thoughts
The difference between my Quest and Maximus Tribe labs is interesting, and I will be following up to understand possible explanations. Regardless, I meet the criteria for secondary hypogonadism, and enclomiphene should help boost my natural testosterone production.
This process has also exposed some challenges with telemedicine prescriptions, including auto-prescriptions at higher-than-necessary dosages. Despite that, I am optimistic about the potential benefits and will carefully monitor both subjective improvements and objective blood work results.
Reddit Issues & Mailing List
Unfortunately, my last Reddit post was removed without explanation. I suspect the moderators see my blog as self-promotion, despite the fact that I run no ads and provide purely educational content. To stay updated, sign up for email notifications on this site—I will only use your email to notify you when I post.
As always, if you have questions, comments, or personal experiences, feel free to reach out here or on Reddit (if my post stays up). I look forward to sharing real-world insights into enclomiphene’s effects.
