Valproic Acid, Valproate, VPA

[dannyfc]

Seems a really interesting drug. Not only has it shown to stimulate FSH and LH and increase the testosterone to estrogen ratio, it also inhibits GABA transaminase. (the termination of GABA).

Sounds almost tailor-made for our causes. Anyone tried it?

[dannyfc]

Not only that it actually reverses FSH-induced upregulation of CYP19A1. Thats the aromatase enzyme, the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Sounds very promising.

[dannyfc]

Basically the idea came around from sexual dysfunction in the epilepsy community. Low Fertility in Men with Epilepsy: Unhappy, Uninterested, Unable.

Their hormonal profiles were very much synonymous with ours; depressed FSH and LH, elevated SHBG, low free testosterone despite normal total testosterone.

The reasoning behind this is that Anti-Epileptic drugs are p450 inducers. These are a group of enyzmes in the liver, one of which (CYP19A1) actively controls the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Obviously, by accentuating this enzyme, you will cause a massive surge in estrogen. This stimulates SHBG, as the body wants to bind against testosterone to effectively slow the flow of aromatization. While this normalises estrogen serum, it leaves very little testosterone bio-available, hence the problems with libido/motivation etc.

“It has been reported that the effects of enzyme-inducing medications on SHBG dissipates six months after discontinuation of the antiseizure medication. Dr. Herzog’s study might suggest that this effect is longer-lasting, as the men who had stopped their medications six months before entering the study still had sexual dysfunction.” - columbiaepilepsy.org/docs/patien … y_2007.pdf

So what has this got to do with Finasteride? It’s been previously discussed on here that it can similarly induce these enyzmes, and a heptalogist I recently spoke to agreed with that theory as well. If increased aromatization is the root cause, any drug that may actively reverse that is definitely worth experimenting with.

[Mark2012]

awor and others on this forum have tried Valproic Acid but it did not cure them.

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2261&p=26893&hilit=Valproic+Acid%2C#p26893

[dannyfc]

@Mark2012

awor and others on this forum have tried Valproic Acid but it did not cure them.

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2261&p=26893&hilit=Valproic+Acid%2C#p26893

Hmm, got ahead of myself i think…found several studies contradicting some of the earlier ones i read. fuck it, i give up.

[dannyfc]

More evidence of androgen insensitivity from induced SHBG secretion from the liver.

Acquired androgen insensitivity may occur without AR mutations by mechanisms such as drugs including non-steroidal (flutamide, bicalutamide, nilutamide) and steroidal (cyproterone acetate), drugs that block part of testosterone activation such as 5α reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) or estrogen antagonists or aromatase inhibitors. In addition, drugs may have physiological effects or pharmacological actions that oppose various steps in androgen action such as LH and FSH suppression by estrogens or progestins or that cause an increase in circulating SHBG which may influence testosterone transfer from blood into tissues to produce a functional phenocopy of androgen insensitivity.

Acquired androgen insensitivity in various disease states is reported with hormonal findings reflecting impeded androgen action which may be reversible with alleviation of the underlying disease. The disease-related mechanisms that impede androgen action vary but the most frequent is increase in hepatic SHBG secretion due to the underlying disease and/or its drug treatments that impede androgen action by reducing testosterone transport from blood to tissues as part of its overall reduction in a metabolic clearance rate of testosterone.

For example, in hyperthyroidism, increased blood LH and testosterone concentrations with clinical features of androgen deficiency 200 are mediated by increased circulating SHBG due to thyroid hormone-induced hepatic SHBG secretion 201 whereas in hypothyroidism the reduced blood testosterone and SHBG are rapidly corrected by thyroid hormone repacement therapy 200. In epilepsy, anticonvulsant-induced increase in hepatic SHBG secretion appears to be a common denominator in the near ubiquitous reproductive endocrine abnormalities in men with epilepsy 202. The relative contributions of impaired tissue transfer of testosterone, reduced testosterone metabolic clearance rate 203 or direct anti-androgenic effects of valproate 204 remain to be clarified. A similar mechanism of disease- and/or drug-induced increases in hepatic SHBG secretion may explain apparent acquired androgen insensitivity, often reversible with alleviation of the underlying disease, in various other conditions such as gluten enteropathy 205, 206, Wilson’s disease 207, relapsed acute intermittent porphyria 208, acute alcoholism 209, chronic liver disease and transplantation 48, 210.

endotext.org/registration/?_ … evel_req=0

[slick1]

Where did you get valproate guys… pm me plz

[Lostinaustin]

@dannyfc

that

Did you ever try this?

[PastUser]

Acquired androgen insensitivity can occur from aromatase inhibitors??

[Rb26dett]

Yes.

[PastUser]

what is the alternative to using low dose AIs for elevated E2?

[Brandonkeith]

I found it online and I don’t know how to pm here I’m new but have had PFS for 24 years but healing

[Henrique]

what your symptons?

[Fiercebully9]

Found what?