Fadogia agrestis to Improve Testosterone - Quick Reference Sheet

Fadogia agrestis to Improve Testosterone

Created on 06/19/2026 – Quick Reference based on Evidence Review created using AI4L / Opus 4.8 Audit

Fadogia agrestis is a West African herb popular for raising testosterone naturally. Its reputation rests almost entirely on one set of rat experiments; no completed human study confirms it works. The same animal research showed signs of injury to the testes, liver, and kidneys. Possible benefits are promising but unproven, while safety questions remain real and unanswered. (Full Review)

Protocol

Typical Dose
~400–600 mg/day
Concentrated stem extract, often 10:1; not from human dose-finding studies
Common Stacking Approach
Paired with Tongkat Ali
Popularized combination, not established by controlled comparison
Best Time of Day
Morning
Paired Tongkat Ali can be stimulating and disturb sleep if taken late
Time to effect
Human Onset
Unknown
No reliable human onset data exist
Rodent Testosterone Rise
Within 5 days
Rodent testosterone changes occurred within five days
Subjective Changes (Anecdotal)
A few weeks
Anecdotal user reports of subjective changes typically span a few weeks

Benefits

Contraindications
  • Women (especially pregnant or breastfeeding)
  • Anyone under 18
  • Men with existing liver disease
  • Men with chronic kidney disease
  • Men with hormone-sensitive conditions (e.g., prostate cancer)
  • Men actively trying to conceive
Key Interactions
  • Hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs (methotrexate, ketoconazole, amiodarone)
  • Testosterone replacement therapy or prescription androgens
  • OTC analgesics (acetaminophen, NSAIDs)
  • Tongkat Ali
  • Androgenic supplements (ashwagandha, boron, DHEA)
  • Alcohol

Risk & Side Effects

  • High: [risks_high]
  • Medium: Testicular toxicity and potential fertility impairment; liver and kidney cellular injury
  • Low: [risks_low]
  • Speculative: Excess androgen and estrogen-conversion effects; unknown long-term and contaminant risks

Monitoring

Marker Target Why
Total testosterone ~500–900 ng/dL (men) Primary target outcome
Free testosterone ~15–25 pg/mL (men) Reflects biologically active hormone
Estradiol (E2) ~10–30 pg/mL (men) Detects excess conversion of testosterone to estrogen
ALT / AST ALT ~10–26 U/L; AST ~10–26 U/L Detects liver-cell injury flagged in animal data
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) <25 U/L Sensitive marker of liver/biliary stress
Creatinine / eGFR Creatinine ~0.7–1.1 mg/dL; eGFR >90 mL/min/1.73 m² Detects kidney injury flagged in animal data

Cadence: Baseline before starting, again at ~4–8 weeks, then periodically (e.g., every 3–6 months) if use continues across cycles

Qualitative Assessment

  • Libido and sexual function
  • Energy and mood
  • Sleep quality (especially when stacked with stimulating partners like Tongkat Ali)
  • Skin changes such as new acne or oiliness, which can signal rising androgens
  • Warning signs of liver trouble — unusual fatigue, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes, or right-upper-abdominal discomfort