Tamoxifen, Clomid, Toremifene and Rolaxifene. Which for what?

**WARMachine** · 03-09-2010, 05:59 PM

Excellent thread Swifto.

Things discussed here, ive seen you talk about for quite some time.

I need an update on my sticky, might have to use this, considering it offers the best explanation of new SERMs use in PCT, and their effectiveness.

Kudos again.

My regards,

-WAR

**elfin1mf** · 03-10-2010, 04:42 AM

I need confirmation, you repeatedly say that all serms raise IGF levels, but link no studies to prove that tamox can do this. Where are the studies that show igf and gh response with tamox and the other serms?

**Swifto** · 03-10-2010, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by elfin1mf

I need confirmation, you repeatedly say that all serms raise IGF levels, but link no studies to prove that tamox can do this. Where are the studies that show igf and gh response with tamox and the other serms?

Where do I say this?

Tamoxifen increases IGF-1 binding proteins. But lowers plasma IGF-1.

Second, I dont have ALL the answers. I research pubmed/medline and other journals, thats where I research.

Rather than demand studies on various subjects. Do your own research and formulate your OWN opinoin.

**xxbiggdaddyxx** · 03-10-2010, 07:31 AM

Still a bit confused both of them are almost alike i mean clomid and nolva so why take them together if i see that someone says they will be using just nolva they get hammered sayin it is a weak pct and a serm and ai is a no go so can someone let me know why use two of the same thank you and swifto you write good stuff man thank you ....

**Swifto** · 03-10-2010, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by xxbiggdaddyxx

Still a bit confused both of them are almost alike i mean clomid and nolva so why take them together if i see that someone says they will be using just nolva they get hammered sayin it is a weak pct and a serm and ai is a no go so can someone let me know why use two of the same thank you and swifto you write good stuff man thank you ....

Tamoxifen alone for PCT is not weak. Far from it.

You dont need an AI during PCT unless your using HCG /HMG.

**elfin1mf** · 03-11-2010, 03:16 AM

both bolded items led me to think you said tamo increased igf,

This is interesting about protein binding, can you tell me more? Do other serms increase the protein binding?

Originally Posted by Swifto

I'd just like to clear a few things up...

Below are some facts regarding Tamoxifen , Clomid, Toremifene and Rolaxifene:

- Tamoxifen is NOT weak at restoring the HPTA, post cycle. Its as effective, perhaps more, than Clomid.

- Tamoxifen alone will restore HPTA function in around 6 weeks (sometimes less) at 20mg/ED. Thats what the data states. I'm not sure AAS user's should be using 40mg/ED of Tamoxifen. Thats a large dose for males IMHO. A smaller dose of 20mg/ED should be used for more lengthy peroids, rather than larger doses for shorter durations. There is also no evidence that states 40mg/ED is BETTER than 20mg/ED for HPTA restoration.

- Clomid is made up of 2 isomers:

Clomiphene is a mixed agonist/antagonist. This is due o the fact that clomiphene is composed of two isomers: enclomiphene (trans-clomiphene) and zuclomiphene (cis-clomiphene). Enclomiphene is an estradiol receptor antagonist. Zuclomiphene is an estradiol receptor agonist. In all likelihood, the net antagonist effect might be due to the composition being 70% trans (enclomiphene) and 30% cis (zuclomiphene). Tamoxifen is more of a strict antiestrogen, decreases the effect of estrogen in the body, and potentiates the action of clomiphene. This combination came about after 100s of clinical experience. - Michael Scally MD

So Tamoxifen is more of an antagonist, than Clomid is. Its better at blocking the ER than Clomid is. Clomid also seems to exert agonistic effects in parts of the brain that control emotion. That would explain why some turn into women on peroids during there experiences with Clomid.

Tamoxifen is also made of slightly more isomers, the cis isomer of tamoxifen (inactive one) trans-tamoxifen and trans-4-OHT isomer.

Few facts...

- Clomid will double LH at 100mg/ED in 5-7 days and increase FSH by 20-50%. LH rises quickly post cycle, but not that quick.

- Clomid will raise enodgenous testosterone (total) by 146% after 3 months at 25mg/ED. As shown in this study.

- Clomid at 100mg/ED will raise endogenous testosterone (total) by 268% after 8 weeks and free testosterone by 1,410% (Thats not a typo). As shown in this study.

- When Clomid and Tamoxifen where compared in this study. Tamoxifen increased serum testosterone to 142% of baseline in only 10 days. It took 150mg/ED of Clomid to get the same 142% increase. After 6 weeks it raised testosterone and LH levels to an average of 183% and 172% of starting values.

Another thing to note after the above study is how sensitive the pituitary become to GnRH. The more sensitive the pituitary is to GnRH, the more LH it will produce. Tamoxifen increase pituitary sensitivity to GnRH and Clomid seemed to decrease it.

- Estrogen will decrease sensitivity to GnRH. It will not increase it. If estrogen were to increase the pituitary to GnRH it calleds "estrogen priming". Priming the pituitary to become more sensitive to GnRH. This happens in females, but not males. There is no evidence to suggest there is E priming in males.

- Tamoxifen is more an an antiestrogen than Clomid is. Both are SERM's and selective with agonistic/antagonistic effects in "selective" tissues. Both will block the ER in breast tissue. Both are agonists in the liver, which would explain the increase in IGF.

So what about Toremifene and Rolaxifene...

In a recent study done on Tamox, Tore and Rolax comparing HPTA restoration. Tamoxifen can out on top. In 8 weeks, 20mg/ED of Tamoxifen increased LH from 4.54 to 7.73 and Test from 496.59 to 835.06. After two months, 60mg/day of Toremifene increased LH from 4.05 to 5.05 and Test from 496.59 to 709.79.

The Tore dose is low IMHO though. I've used far more. 120mg/ED for 7-14 days. Followed by 100mg/ED, then down to 60mg/ED over 3-4 weeks.

- Tore will increase pituitary sensitivity to GnRH, as Tamoxifen did. As discussed above.

- Rolax is fairly weak at restoring the HPTA. Its best used for treating gyno (Evista) and has the highest affinity for breast tissue out of the current SERMs. So it has its uses.

There is limited clinical data on both Tore and Rolax, but Tore increases lipid values more potently than most other SERMs and increases bone mineral density very well.

So what are your thoughts Swifto?

I dont think it matters what SERM(s) you choose for PCT. But go with either Clomid, Tore or Tamox. Using 2 would be a better choice IMHO. The data states Tamoxifen is better than Clomid in a head to head comparison. The data also states Tamoxifen is better than Toremifene and Rolaxifene in head to head comparisons...But take the doses into account.

The backbone of my PCT is Tore + Tamox 20mg/ED or Clomid 25mg/ED.

For gyno Rolax should be your first choice. Then Tamox and Tore. Clomid isnt the mose effective at fighting gyno.

All SERMs seem to increase IGF, imporve lipids and bone mineral density.

2nd Gen SERMs (Tore, Rolax) are safer than 1st Gen (Clomid, Tamox).

I hope this has shed more of a light in SERMs, their actions, uses and decide for youself what you use which for...

Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable, I was just hoping you had some info I could never find. I honestly spent months trying to read studies about serms and have found not too much to make me feel any better using clomid over tamo, so I just use tamo to avoid the clomid sides.

**elfin1mf** · 03-11-2010, 03:26 AM

potential problems with nolva are -

nolva can apparently lead to oestrogen rebound unlike clomid because of the oestrogen mimicking effect in the pituitary --edit - some think this is not going to be a problem for a usual pct
nolva will lower gh and igf levels unlike clomid -- edit - apparently this is wrong and some studies show that tamox lowers igf, but actually increases gh
Nolva does nothing to help stimulate the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus, unlike clomid --edit- I am looking into this, this may not be true, I have not seen enough evidence yet to confirm this.

Many think these effects warrant the use of clomid instead of nolva and NOT in addition to, because clomid does not have any of these problems as far as any studies I have ever seen can show.

**Swifto** · 03-12-2010, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by elfin1mf

both bolded items led me to think you said tamo increased igf,

This is interesting about protein binding, can you tell me more? Do other serms increase the protein binding?

Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable, I was just hoping you had some info I could never find. I honestly spent months trying to read studies about serms and have found not too much to make me feel any better using clomid over tamo, so I just use tamo to avoid the clomid sides.

Uncomfortable? You havent.

It was meerly a typo.

Thank-you for pointing it out though. You were correct.

Edited.

**Swifto** · 03-12-2010, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by elfin1mf

potential problems with nolva are -

nolva can apparently lead to oestrogen rebound unlike clomid because of the oestrogen mimicking effect in the pituitary --edit - some think this is not going to be a problem for a usual pct
nolva will lower gh and igf levels unlike clomid -- edit - apparently this is wrong and some studies show that tamox lowers igf, but actually increases gh
Nolva does nothing to help stimulate the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus, unlike clomid --edit- I am looking into this, this may not be true, I have not seen enough evidence yet to confirm this.

Many think these effects warrant the use of clomid instead of nolva and NOT in addition to, because clomid does not have any of these problems as far as any studies I have ever seen can show.

Both Tamoxifen and Clomid and SERMs can lead to an extrogen rebound. They only blocks its effects at the receptor, they dont lower total estrogen levels. So if E is high and you take the blocking effects away your going to get estrogenic sides if E is high already.

I havent actually seen much on Clomid and GH/IGF. It may not be the same as Tamoxifen because Tamox is more an an overall antagonist than Clomid is. Tamoxifen is more of an ANTI-estrogen than Clomid is.

Tamoxifen does stimulate the hypothalmus to secrete GnRH. Thats exactly how it stimulates testosterone production. ER inhibition in the hypothalamus. You statement on that is nonsense.

**elfin1mf** · 03-12-2010, 04:31 PM

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9364247 This study actually says that tamox "induced a transient increase in GH levels" after 1 month of use but decreased igf-1 slightly.

**elfin1mf** · 03-12-2010, 04:34 PM

Other studies on igf levels reveal that even in cancer patients who are PURPOSELY attempting to lower igf levels, tamox (obviously combined with other cancer treatments) only lowered igf 12%, 20% at highest in 2 years of heavy treatment. These levels are not ANY concern to aas users. The increase in gh is FAR outweighing any slight decrease in igf which will really not show us a negative effect.

**elfin1mf** · 03-12-2010, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Swifto

Both Tamoxifen and Clomid and SERMs can lead to an extrogen rebound. They only blocks its effects at the receptor, they dont lower total estrogen levels. So if E is high and you take the blocking effects away your going to get estrogenic sides if E is high already.

I havent actually seen much on Clomid and GH/IGF. It may not be the same as Tamoxifen because Tamox is more an an overall antagonist than Clomid is. Tamoxifen is more of an ANTI-estrogen than Clomid is.

Tamoxifen does stimulate the hypothalmus to secrete GnRH. Thats exactly how it stimulates testosterone production. ER inhibition in the hypothalamus. You statement on that is nonsense.

can you explain to me how the testosterone production of tamoxifen can only be explained by a stimulated raising of pulsatile GnRH from the hypothalamus?

**Swifto** · 03-13-2010, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by elfin1mf

can you explain to me how the testosterone production of tamoxifen can only be explained by a stimulated raising of pulsatile GnRH from the hypothalamus?

You need to first understand how the endocrine system, in regards to testosterone production, works.

The hypothalamus sends down a signal (GnRH) to the putuitary which then sends down signals (LH and FSH) to the testis, which then manufacturer testosterone (leydig cells) and sperm (steroli/germ cells).

By using a SERM and blocking/inhibiting the ER inside the hypothalamus, the hypothalamus senses a decreased estrogen level and increases ganadotropins to reach homeostasis again. Its very similar to AI's increasing enodgenous testosterone by manipulating the androgen:estrogen ratio.

I explain this in my PCT thread/sticky.

**Swifto** · 03-13-2010, 06:36 AM

To my knowledge, all SERMs raise testosterone via ER inhibition at the hypothalamus.

SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators) are selective in the tissues they exert agonistic and antagonistic properties.

The 4 in regards to this thread all exert antagonistic effects in the hypothalamus. Whereas others are more agonistic in bones than others imporving bone mineral density.

**mg1228** · 03-15-2010, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Swifto

Yes.

I think longer durations of Tamox at 20mg/ED would be benificial. Not 40mg/ED. Its a high dose for males and the data doesnt state thats a better dose than 20mg/ED at raising endogenous T.

I'd go with Tore 120/100/100/60/60 with Tamox 20mg/ED all the way through. Both sensitise the pituitary to GnRH, so more LH will be produced.

I like Clomid at 25mg/ED too. If I were to use Clomid (which I'm sure I will) I'd go with 50-100mg/ED for the first 5-7 days, followed by 50mg/ED or 25mg/ED for 5-6 weeks.

hey swifto, i got nolva clomid and toremifene---pct comin up in a few weeks

what do u suggest---all three or novla @20mg ed and tore as mentioned above?

can i run caber with these thru pct?

**Swifto** · 03-16-2010, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by mg1228

hey swifto, i got nolva clomid and toremifene---pct comin up in a few weeks

what do u suggest---all three or novla @20mg ed and tore as mentioned above?

can i run caber with these thru pct?

You dont need carbergoline. Why do you wish to bring prolactin down, do you have high levels confirmed through bloodwork?

For PCT go with:

Tore 120/120/100/60/60/60
Tamox 20/20/20/20/20/20

Thats my PCT in a few weeks.

**mg1228** · 03-16-2010, 06:52 AM

thanks----will b on gh thru pct aswell

last pct i felt kind of depressed and low libido---thought caber might help from reading dukkits thread on caber

**New2Anabolic** · 03-16-2010, 07:16 AM

jeez, sounds like I should take Nolva everyday!

so many benefits.

**teddykgb29** · 03-16-2010, 04:07 PM

thanks for the great thread, tons of information.

**Dog-Slime** · 03-24-2010, 10:48 AM

Swifto I got a question for you. I realize this probably hasn't been studied so you prob dont have the answer but I figured if anyone knew you prob would... Do any SERMS act as agonist on the AR? I have heard that estrogen can upregulate the ar so this would be very useful if one of them did.

**freakinhuge** · 03-24-2010, 12:44 PM

very good pct information on this thread, thanks swifto

**Swifto** · 03-24-2010, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Dog-Slime

Swifto I got a question for you. I realize this probably hasn't been studied so you prob dont have the answer but I figured if anyone knew you prob would... Do any SERMS act as agonist on the AR? I have heard that estrogen can upregulate the ar so this would be very useful if one of them did.

Thats a very good question.

SERMs such as Rolaxifene, can exert apoptosis in androgen-responsive human cells (prostate). But do so in an androgen independant manner (neither up regulation/down regulation of the AR).

I'm going to come back to this as its 10.47pm here and its been a long day.

**Swifto** · 03-26-2010, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Dog-Slime

Swifto I got a question for you. I realize this probably hasn't been studied so you prob dont have the answer but I figured if anyone knew you prob would... Do any SERMS act as agonist on the AR? I have heard that estrogen can upregulate the ar so this would be very useful if one of them did.

Some SERMs such as Tamoxifen and Toremifene act by reducing AR gene transcription. But only in certain cell types, such as prostate cells, as stated in this study.

To quote from the study, "These results highlight the anti-androgenic aspect of anti-estrogens and estrogens in regard to the AR-mediated transcription of the relevant genes in prostate cancer."

But thats for prostate cells and cancer cells. Not the AR in muscle.

I think I know where your going with your question and taking SERMs wont boost AR gene-transcription when on cycle, I dont think. The only data I've seen is of the contrary. That they will reduce AR gene-transcription in specific tissues.

Estrogen is needed and aromotasation is responsible for the increase in GH and IGF we get when taking exo. testosterone . I think thats what matters more, not whether SERMs increase or decrease AR gene transcription.

I hope that sheds more light on your question.

**Narkissos** · 03-26-2010, 02:29 PM

Solid thread.

Bump.

**Dog-Slime** · 03-26-2010, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Swifto

Some SERMs such as Tamoxifen and Toremifene act by reducing AR gene transcription. But only in certain cell types, such as prostate cells, as stated in this study.

To quote from the study, "These results highlight the anti-androgenic aspect of anti-estrogens and estrogens in regard to the AR-mediated transcription of the relevant genes in prostate cancer."

But thats for prostate cells and cancer cells. Not the AR in muscle.

I think I know where your going with your question and taking SERMs wont boost AR gene-transcription when on cycle, I dont think. The only data I've seen is of the contrary. That they will reduce AR gene-transcription in specific tissues.

Estrogen is needed and aromotasation is responsible for the increase in GH and IGF we get when taking exo. testosterone . I think thats what matters more, not whether SERMs increase or decrease AR gene transcription.

I hope that sheds more light on your question.

Yes it does. I figured as much but it would be great to have something that could upregulate receptors in my arsenal. Maybe one day such a thing will exist...

**Swifto** · 03-26-2010, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Dog-Slime

Yes it does. I figured as much but it would be great to have something that could upregulate receptors in my arsenal. Maybe one day such a thing will exist...

Oh, thats where your going...

Well...

Here's something on L-carnitine L-tartrate showing "upregulation of AR content".

Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-1110, USA. [email protected]

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of 3 wk of L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) supplementation and post-resistance-exercise (RE) feeding on hormonal and androgen receptor (AR) responses. METHODS: Ten resistance-trained men (mean+/-SD: age, 22+/-1 yr; mass, 86.3+/-15.3 kg; height, 181+/-11 cm) supplemented with LCLT (equivalent to 2 g of L-carnitine per day) or placebo (PL) for 21 d, provided muscle biopsies for AR determinations, then performed two RE protocols: one followed by water intake, and one followed by feeding (8 kcal.kg body mass, consisting of 56% carbohydrate, 16% protein, and 28% fat). RE protocols were randomized and included serial blood draws and a 1-h post-RE biopsy. After a 7-d washout period, subjects crossed over, and all experimental procedures were repeated. RESULTS: LCLT supplementation upregulated (P<0.05) preexercise AR content compared with PL (12.9+/-5.9 vs 11.2+/-4.0 au, respectively). RE increased (P<0.05) AR content compared with pre-RE values in the PL trial only. Post-RE feeding significantly increased AR content compared with baseline and water trials for both LCLT and PL. Serum total testosterone concentrations were suppressed (P<0.05) during feeding trials with respect to corresponding water and pre-RE values. Luteinizing hormone demonstrated subtle, yet significant changes in response to feeding and LCLT. CONCLUSION: In summary, these data demonstrated that: 1) feeding after RE increased AR content, which may result in increased testosterone uptake, and thus enhanced luteinizing hormone secretion via feedback mechanisms; and 2) LCLT supplementation upregulated AR content, which may promote recovery from RE.

Androgenic responses to resistance exercise: effec...[Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006] - PubMed Result

Hows that?

**Mr.Rose** · 04-11-2010, 01:11 AM

This deserves a bump for all to read.

**baseline_9** · 09-15-2010, 07:37 AM

Sticky in the PCT section maybe?

**Walnutz** · 09-15-2010, 08:36 AM

Good stuff!

**DanB** · 04-04-2012, 02:15 PM

bump

**kelkel** · 04-04-2012, 08:38 PM

Thanks for bumping this Dan. Great thread.

Thanks Swifto! As always.

**Simon1972** · 05-09-2012, 06:29 AM

hi swifto - amazing amount of info, there has been talk on the forums about using a serm to increase test levels for those not wanting to go through AAS, more from a wellbeing viewpoint, of course with the added benefit of increased muscle mass etc.

Its well known the testosterone increases are not as high as an AAS cycle but this isnt the purpose.

can you reccomend a dosage protocol for those wanting to embark upon a serm only cycle, paying attention to coming off cycle , limiting any sides that might be expected. eg higher than normal estrogen levels.

thanks , your posts are always good reading

**Simon1972** · 05-12-2012, 11:27 PM

bump

**tstarks1990** · 07-07-2012, 01:19 AM

Probably one of the best write-ups I've seen on the net on SERMs. You did an excellent job especially at collecting and interpreting the relevant studies.

Though I would add to it by correcting this minor issue:

Originally Posted by Swifto

So Tamoxifen is more of an antagonist, than Clomid is. Its better at blocking the ER than Clomid is. Clomid also seems to exert agonistic effects in parts of the brain that control emotion. That would explain why some turn into women on peroids during there experiences with Clomid.

I don't know why it is written all over every bodybuilding site about Clomid: that it is estrogenic "in the brain", which is why it increases emotionality at higher doses. The only reason I can think of is the stereotype of estrogen being a "female hormone" (a gross oversimplification of complex biology), and since females are more emotional, well...there. This is just inaccurate.

First off...understand that it is low estrogen in key emotional centers of the brain that causes hyperemotionality in both males and females. High estrogen, in males in particular, is actually associated with emotional detachment and irritability.

Originally Posted by Swifto

Clomid also seems to exert agonistic effects in parts of the brain that control emotion.

All SERMs exert an agonistic effect, strictly speaking, in all parts of the brain as well as body. That's because they are simply weak estrogens. In certain areas the body where estrogen receptors have naturally low exposure to estrogen, SERMs act as agonists, raising overall estrogen signaling. In areas where the ER experiences high natural estrogen exposure, a SERM will compete for the receptor with the numerous estrogen ligands already present, but upon binding exert less estrogenic activity than the natural ligand would have, thereby causing an overall decrease in estrogenic activity in said area. This is how, ironically, weak estrogen agonists can ultimately end up being antagonists.

In the brain in particular, certain areas have high exposure to the enzyme aromatase (and therefore estrogen) and some almost none. Clomid, as you may imagine, would have an antagonistic effect to estrogen signalling in regions of the former category and an agonistic effect to regions of the latter. In the male brain, most areas that control emotion have high aromatase. Because estrogen blunts emotion and reduces MAO activity in these parts of the brain, Clomid thereby increases emotionality. Simple.

**Atomini** · 07-07-2012, 06:32 AM

This is a brilliant thread, Swifto. I've been saying this stuff for YEARS. For years I have been telling people tha tamoxifen is far more effective at restoring HPTA function than clomid is, and most people shrugged it off not believing me (or the medical studies that demonstrated as such). People kept going around parroting that clomid was far more effective.

As far as I am concerned, clomid is old and outdated. It is useless, TOTALLY useless, as nolvadex and toremifene do everything clomid does, and they do it far better.

**Papiriqui** · 07-07-2012, 05:18 PM

Fantastic read and i must say i am back to the drawing board. I will be doing a cycle sometime late this year or next year who knows and through research and questions here people recommend Nolva/Clomid but after reading this im screwed up lol. Anyways i will be reading this thing a few more times so it can sink in and change my future PCT. Swifto you are the man!!!

Keep up the good work!!! Greatly appreciated!!!

**OdinsOtherSon** · 09-21-2012, 03:27 PM

Bump

**BlueWaffle21** · 09-21-2012, 04:55 PM

Love this guy, great write up Swifto!!!!

**greenwell001** · 09-21-2012, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by MotoLifter

ive heard nithing but good stuff about it. wish ar-r carried it.

they do.

AD · 09-21-2012, 09:20 PM

is there any thread from swifto that is not sticky-worthy?

maybe we should move this to the Educational subforum, where important things like this don't get washed off the first page too quickly.