A West African shrub sold to raise male testosterone and sex drive, its case rests almost entirely on rodent studies never repeated in people, where results often do not carry over. The same animal work signals possible harm to the testes, liver, and kidneys. An experimental option whose promise is real but unproven. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone | ~500–900 ng/dL (adult men) | Primary target of the intervention |
| Free testosterone | ~15–25 pg/mL (adult men) | The biologically active fraction; may move more than total |
| Estradiol | ~20–30 pg/mL (adult men) | Detects excess conversion of testosterone to estrogen |
| Luteinizing hormone (LH) | ~1.5–9 IU/L | Tests the proposed upstream mechanism (whether LH rises) |
| SHBG | ~20–45 nmol/L | Binds testosterone and sets the free fraction |
| Hematocrit (Hct) | ~40–50% | Screens for androgen-driven rise in red cells |
| PSA | < 1.5 ng/mL (and stable) | Prostate-safety screen in men over 40 |
| ALT / AST | ALT ~10–26 U/L; AST ~10–26 U/L | Detects the liver injury signal seen in animals |
| Creatinine / eGFR | Creatinine ~0.7–1.1 mg/dL; eGFR > 90 | Detects the kidney injury signal seen in animals |
| Lipid panel | LDL < 100 mg/dL; HDL > 45 mg/dL | Androgen shifts can affect lipids |
Cadence: Baseline, then at ~8–12 weeks and again during the off period; full panel every 6–12 months for longer-term use