A 47-year-old man worked with a doctor to boost his low testosterone using personalized supplements based on hormone testing. Instead of guessing which supplements to take, the doctor used special urine tests to measure his hormone levels before and after each treatment. When one supplement raised estrogen too much, the doctor added another supplement to balance it out. By testing and adjusting step-by-step, the man got his testosterone to healthy levels while keeping his estrogen balanced. This case shows how personalized medicine—tailoring treatments to each person’s unique body—might help people get better results from supplements with fewer side effects.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether testing hormone levels in urine before and after taking supplements could help a doctor choose the right supplements for one patient with low testosterone.
  • Who participated: One healthy 47-year-old man who wanted to learn about and improve his testosterone levels.
  • Key finding: By testing hormone levels multiple times and adjusting supplements based on results, doctors were able to raise the patient’s testosterone to healthy levels while keeping other hormones balanced, without any harmful side effects.
  • What it means for you: This case suggests that personalized hormone testing might help people get better results from supplements, but this is just one person’s story. Much more research is needed before doctors can recommend this approach widely. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements.

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means it tells the detailed story of what happened with one patient. The 47-year-old man had his hormone levels tested in two ways: a standard blood test and a special at-home urine test that collects samples four times throughout the day. The doctor also looked at the patient’s genes to see if he had any variations that might affect how his body processes hormones. The patient then received treatment to raise his testosterone, and his hormone levels were tested again after each new supplement was added. This allowed the doctor to see exactly how each supplement affected his hormone balance.

Testing before and after each step is important because it shows what’s actually happening in the patient’s body rather than just guessing. This approach helped the doctor catch a problem (too much estrogen) that might have been missed otherwise. By adjusting the treatment based on test results, the doctor could fine-tune the supplements to work better and safer for this specific person.

This is a single case report, which is the lowest level of scientific evidence. It shows what happened with one person, but we can’t know if the same approach would work for other people. The case is well-documented with multiple hormone tests, which is good. However, because it’s just one person, we need many more studies before doctors can confidently recommend this method to everyone.

What the Results Show

The patient started with testosterone levels at the low end of normal for his age. After receiving HCG treatment (a hormone that stimulates testosterone production), his testosterone increased to healthy levels. However, this also caused his estrogen to rise too high. When the doctor added a supplement containing two ingredients (calcium D-glucarate and diindolylmethane) to help the body process estrogen, the estrogen levels came back down to normal. However, this created a new problem: the balance of how the body was breaking down estrogen became unbalanced, suggesting the body wasn’t processing estrogen efficiently. The doctor discovered this was likely related to a genetic variation the patient had that affects how the body handles certain chemicals. By adding a third supplement (trimethylglycine) to support this process, the doctor was able to fix the imbalance. By the end, all hormone levels were healthy and balanced.

The patient’s genetic test showed he had a variation in a gene called COMT, which affects how the body processes hormones and other chemicals. This genetic information helped explain why the patient’s body was having trouble processing estrogen efficiently. The at-home urine test proved convenient and practical—the patient could collect samples at home rather than going to a lab multiple times. No side effects or safety problems occurred during the entire treatment process.

This case demonstrates a newer approach to personalized medicine that isn’t yet standard practice. Most doctors prescribe supplements based on general guidelines rather than testing individual hormone levels. This case suggests that testing might help doctors make better choices, but it’s too early to say this is better than the standard approach. More research comparing this personalized testing method to standard care is needed.

This is just one person’s story, so we can’t know if this approach works for other people. The patient was healthy to begin with, so results might be different for people with other health conditions. We don’t know if the benefits would last over a longer time period. There’s no comparison group to see if this approach is better than other treatments. The case doesn’t tell us how much the supplements cost or whether insurance would cover them. Finally, some of the hormone measurements used (like the urine test) aren’t yet standard medical practice, so other doctors might interpret the results differently.

The Bottom Line

Based on this single case, we cannot yet recommend this personalized hormone testing approach as standard treatment. It may be worth discussing with a doctor who specializes in integrative or personalized medicine if you have low testosterone, but more research is needed. If you’re interested in this approach, work with a qualified healthcare provider who can order appropriate tests and monitor your health carefully. Do not start supplements on your own based on this case.

Men with low testosterone or those interested in optimizing their hormone health might find this interesting. Healthcare providers who practice personalized or integrative medicine may want to follow this research. People with genetic variations affecting hormone metabolism might benefit from this approach, though this needs more study. This case is NOT a recommendation for everyone to get hormone testing or take these supplements.

In this case, changes were seen within weeks after each intervention. However, we don’t know how long the benefits lasted or if the patient needed to continue the supplements. Realistic expectations would be several weeks to see changes, but individual results would vary greatly.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If your doctor recommends hormone testing, track your testosterone and estrogen levels before and after any supplement changes. Record the date, hormone levels, which supplements you’re taking, and any symptoms you notice (energy, mood, sleep quality). This creates a personal record to share with your healthcare provider.
  • Work with your healthcare provider to establish a testing schedule. Before starting any new supplement, get a baseline hormone test. After starting a supplement, schedule a follow-up test (typically 4-6 weeks later) to see how it affected your levels. Adjust or add supplements only based on test results, not on how you feel alone.
  • Create a simple chart showing your hormone test results over time. Include dates of each test, the supplements you were taking, and the results. Share this with your healthcare provider at each visit. This helps identify patterns and shows whether your current supplement plan is working or needs adjustment.

This case report describes one person’s experience and should not be considered medical advice or a recommendation for treatment. Hormone testing and supplementation should only be done under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results vary greatly, and what worked for this patient may not work for you. Before starting any new supplements or hormone treatments, consult with your doctor. This case is presented for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical evaluation or treatment. If you have concerns about your testosterone levels or hormone health, speak with your healthcare provider about appropriate testing and treatment options for your specific situation.