I realise men and women have different endocrine systems, but could someone explain why an estrogen agonist would induce a fall in SHBG and increase in free testosterone?
Excess estrogen is bad for men, no question. But insufficient estrogen can be just as bad for libido, as the studies visionquest posted prove in this thread; viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8375.
Makes me wonder…my first estradiol test was below range, my second test was just at optimum range. Never elevated enough to suggest estrogen dominance. Aromatase-inhibitors don’t seem to do much for most of us, even cause adverse effects in some.
Could we be thinking about this the wrong way round? Especially when the PFS crash is often characterised as a mini menopause.
The study also suggests that falls in estrogen decrease allopregnanolone, which the agonist restores.
It’s def an interesting theory, I also had below or low estradiol levels yet suffer a estrogen dominant/pseudo cushings/adrenal fatigue. However, I believe the problem lies in the CNS and is neurological, the Italian studies indicated high levels of estrogen in the CNS
You have low testosterone, highish estrogen. However, SHBG is low enough to allow you a fair amount of free testosterone. By those readings your libido should be fine I reckon, would want to boost testosterone but none of that explains why you feel like we do. Conversley my readings are almost the exact opposite, high testosterone, low estrogen, but huge SHBG and practically no free testosterone.
Backs up what Finatruth says with regards to the problem being in the CNS. Wasn’t aware of that Italian study, do you have a link?
Yes, my libido has been mostly untouched by Fin; it’s my eyes and skin that are the worst. I also have cognitive issues at times, but they come and go and seem to be getting slowly better.
I’m not really sure what you mean by, “but none of that explains why you feel like we do.” It seems like like everyone is pretty unique in this issue. Hormone ranges are wildly different, symptoms are all over the place. I pretty much have a lot of symptoms most guys have, just not the ED. There just doesn’t seem to be a “typical” PFSer, at least, not from what I can tell. Some are worse, yes, but this drug seems to affect people in so many different ways.
I need to get my DHT checked. I’m really suspicious that my body either reduced the production of DHT or my receptors became insensitive to it.
Thanks for taking a look at my numbers dannyfc; much appreciated.
Despite all sensible logic, I’m going to try this next week.
It has very androgenic properties. Causes voice deepening, hair loss, facial hair growth and oily skin in women. And doesn’t actually increase sereum levels of estradiol, instead boosting Free Testosterone levels.
Chances are the estrogenic effects will make symptoms 10x worse, but even if there’s a slight probability of improvement I think it’s worth a go.
Wouldn’t advice anyone else of this but it should be interesting. I have a week off work so if it is a nightmare I’ll take letrozole to crush the estrogen. Wish me luck.
