I am wondering if someone can help me with a problem I encounter. It seems whenever I take anything that mildly alters my hormons, wheather is be Tribulus, Zinc or Saw Palmetto I get a small case of gyno. I dont actually get an growth or lump, more just a tenderness in my left nipple.
I am 21 yrs old, and am experiences thinning hair. I also take some natural testosterone boosters for body building. I wouldnt have though mild things like saw palmetto would cause a drastic change in the body’s estrogen levels…
This site is for men that quit Finasteride and are still experiencing side effects. You mentioned hairloss, but this is not a hairloss forum… just FYI.
Anything that effects the body’s hormones, wether through natural or synthetic (pharmaceutical) means, can produce undesired effects.
Saw Palmetto, even though its a natural product, operates in a similar manner as Finasteride in that it blocks/reduces DHT in your body. DHT keeps estrogens in check, and high estrogen levels in a male can lead to gynocemastia (male breasts). One of the first symptoms of this is breast tenderness/itching.
Tribulus and Zinc are purported to increase testosterone levels. Higher levels of Testosterone beyond what you normally produce may end up being aromatized into Estrogens. This aromatization of T to E, combined with low DHT levels (not keeping E in check) via Saw Palmetto, may lead to excess Estrogen in your body, which can lead to gyno.
I’d quit all the supplements and see how your body reacts, most likely your symptoms should clear up. If you require further insights, best to ask at a hairloss or bodybuilding forum, especially if you are taking Propecia without issue. Cheers and best of luck.
One of zinc’s effects is actually to inhibit aromatization of T to E. In my understanding, that is one of the mechanisms by which it elevates T in the first place.
Yes but it would seem Zinc is a double-edge sword. While Zinc may inhibit the Aromatase enzyme, perhaps the increased Testosterone it leads to (plus that of the increased T due to Tribulus), plus the lack of DHT thanks to Saw Palmetto, is overpowering any Aromatase inhibiting properties of the Zinc.
If he wants to control estrogen (without drugs) and still take his T boosting supplements, he should consider adding DIM + I3C and maybe Chrysisn + Piperine into the mix. Just some thoughts!
Zinc isn’t a double edged sword and unlike what the original poster suggested it is NOT part of any reason for the development of gynecomastia.
The problem when you taek a cocktail of supplements or drugs is that you can end up having no idea what is causing any given problem experienced.
The gynecomastia might be developing independently of the cocktail taken and be of a differing origin such as puberty or disease or it might be down to tribulus or one of the other ingredients.
There is actually a domain coded into the androgen receptor specifically for zinc and zinc marginally increase free testosterone whilst marginally decreasing the effects of estrogen.
So zinc in any reasonable dose has a positive hormonal affect- not a negative one.
