Sold for four decades as a testosterone booster, this fruit extract does not raise already-normal hormone levels. What holds up is modest improvement in erectile function, desire in women, and sperm quality after one to three months, apparently through better blood flow. Trials are small and often manufacturer-linked. Rare severe liver, kidney and muscle harms; product quality varies enormously. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone | 600–900 ng/dL (men) | Identifies whether a hormonal response is plausible |
| Free testosterone | 15–25 ng/dL (men) | The fraction that rose in the positive female trials |
| Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) | 20–40 nmol/L | Explains a normal total with a low free testosterone |
| Luteinizing hormone (LH) | 3–6 IU/L | Separates testicular from pituitary causes of low testosterone |
| Alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT, AST) | 10–26 U/L | Earliest signal of the idiosyncratic liver injury seen in case reports |
| Total bilirubin | 0.3–1.0 mg/dL | The marker that reached 48 mg/dL in the published liver-injury case |
| Creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) | Creatinine 0.8–1.1 mg/dL; eGFR above 90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Kidney injury accompanied liver injury in the human case |
| Creatine kinase (CK) | 40–200 U/L | Detects the statin interaction before muscle breakdown becomes serious |
| Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) | Below 1.0 ng/mL, with annual rise under 0.75 ng/mL | Trial data show a small but significant rise on treatment |
| Fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) | Glucose 75–86 mg/dL; HbA1c 4.8–5.3% | Preclinical glucose lowering could compound antidiabetic medication |
| Lipid panel | Triglycerides 50–90 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein above 55 mg/dL | The one metabolic benefit with human supporting data |
| Semen analysis | No established functional target; track change from the individual's own baseline | The endpoint of the fertility use case |
Cadence: Full panel before the first dose; liver and kidney panel at 4 weeks; at 12 weeks alongside hormones, lipids and prostate-specific antigen; every 6 months if courses continue. Any rise in bilirubin or transaminases warrants immediate re-testing rather than waiting for the scheduled draw.