Fenugreek: Testosterone & Blood Sugar Studies, Safety
[Supplement · Compound guide]

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): half-life, strengths and approval status

Amounts studied · Approval status · Half-life notes

What is fenugreek?

Fenugreek is a clover-like herb whose maple-scented seeds are used as a spice and traditional medicine. As a supplement it is promoted for diabetes, menstrual cramps and breast-milk supply, and seed extracts are marketed to men for testosterone and training.

Also known as: Trigonella foenum-graecum, fenugreek seed.

Amounts studied

Fenugreek has no intake value or upper limit. Trials have used whole seed, seed powder and various seed extracts, so there is no single studied amount. These are study protocols, not a recommendation.

Approval status and how it is used

It is sold in the US as a dietary supplement. Under the 1994 dietary supplement law (DSHEA), FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are marketed, and the maker, not FDA, is responsible for safety and labeling. There is no FDA-approved fenugreek drug.

The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says research suggests fenugreek may help lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, but many studies were not high quality; the evidence on menstrual cramps is low quality, and results on milk supply are mixed. For testosterone, a 2020 meta-analysis of 4 trials (Mansoori) found fenugreek extract raised total testosterone in men, and a 2023 meta-analysis of 7 studies (Isenmann) found a small effect on total testosterone in male athletes, with no conclusions possible for women. If you are on TRT, your testosterone comes from your prescription.

NCCIH lists diarrhea, nausea and other digestive symptoms, and says large doses may cause a harmful drop in blood sugar, which matters if you take diabetes medicines or a GLP-1. Fenugreek can cause allergic reactions, including serious ones. It is not safe in pregnancy in amounts above those in food: it has been linked to birth defects in animals and people.

Fenugreek half-life and time to peak

  • Half-lifeNot listed
  • Time to peak (Tmax)Not listed

We could not find a single published half-life or time to peak for fenugreek that applies to a supplement dose, so we do not list one.

How to track fenugreek in Dose Track

  1. Add fenugreek as a custom compound. Start typing its name and Dose Track fills in the details from its research library for you to check, and it sits next to everything else you take.
  2. Log each dose when you take it so your history shows exactly what you took and when.
  3. Set reminders on your own schedule, whether that is daily, weekly or every few days.
  4. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

How Dose Track handles peptides · Reconstitution calculator · Half-life calculator

Frequently asked questions

What is the half-life of fenugreek?+
We could not find a single published half-life or time to peak for fenugreek that applies to a supplement dose, so we do not list one.
Does fenugreek raise testosterone?+
Two meta-analyses found an effect: Mansoori (2020, 4 trials) found fenugreek extract raised total testosterone in men, and Isenmann (2023, 7 studies) found a small effect on total testosterone in male athletes. The trials were small and used different extracts.
Can fenugreek lower blood sugar too much?+
NCCIH says large doses of fenugreek may cause a harmful drop in blood sugar. If you take diabetes medicines, ask your prescriber before using it.
Can I track fenugreek in Dose Track?+
Yes. Fenugreek is in Dose Track's research library, so when you add it as a custom compound its details are filled in for you to check. You can then log each dose next to your other compounds, set reminders on your own schedule, and see your history next to your lab results. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.