This is an update about my experience with DHT supplementation so far. I am partially recycling a post I did on another thread. This is a more detailed version.
Before the DHT supplementation, I had low DHT - 175 pg/ml (300-850). I also had high Free T at 29.27 pg/ml (7.0 - 22.7) and high progesterone at 0.783 (up to 0.474). Everything else was normal. I should probably do a table with all tests I did.
Using a high dose Tribulus (6 x 750 mg) by itself for two weeks raises some of my hormones between 10 to 20%. For example, total T went from 21.45 to 23 nmol/l (9.9 - 27.8), Estradiol went from 80.4 to 95 pmol/l (41.4 - 159.00), LH went from 4.3 to 4.68 IU/l (1.70 - 8.6).
I feel the effect of Tribulus supplementation quite fast - within an hour - and it lasts for a couple of hours. I had not taken Tribulus for 12 hours before the tests were done so the tests underestimate the average increase due to Tribulus.
Then on top of the Tribulus, I added the transdermal DHT. I have been taking that for the past 2.5 weeks – 20 drops of Andractorol (DHT solution, 12%), which should be around 120 mg of DHT.
There are some interesting things to report, although I am afraid not a resolution of core PFS symptoms such as lack of libido or ED. However positive effects are significant enough that I intend to continue despite the significant cost of the DHT product.
First and foremost, I have huge improvement in joint pain – which used to be completely debilitating – to the point where it is almost not an issue any more. The way it is going I think my joints may recover completely within a couple of weeks. The improvement was noticeable immediately on the second day of DHT supplementation. At one week, I could walk with no limit whereas before I had to limit any unnecessary movement and had days/weeks in which I could not leave the house due to extreme pain.
Even before I started DHT I knew that my joint pain was caused by weakness in the soft tissues surrounding the joints (ligaments, tendons and muscles). The pain spread along the muscle. It looks like DHT supplementation is having an effect on what appears to be androgen deprived soft tissues, which weakened the joints.
I also have increased aggression. This is bad - I am lowering the dose partly because of this. The rest is very good: better mood, more enthusiasm, stronger emotions, more hope, less anxiety, more calmness, more confidence, etc.
There appears to be a small but significant effect on libido, erection strength and orgasm strength. I also have increased morning erections, which is a good objective measure.
Tribulus acts in a similar way on libido/erections so I can’t disambiguate the effects very well. I am taking Tribulus alongside DHT in order to prevent reduction of HPTA hormones, which normally happens with DHT supplementation.
The other extremely noticeable effect is increased body odor.
The first day I took DHT there was a noticeable libido/erection boost. Prior baseline was zero so even a small effect would be noticeable. With continual use I consider the effect small but it might be increasing gradually.
My blood work has changed in the following manner following DHT supplementation:
Progesterone has dropped from 0.805 nmol/l to 0.541 (up to 0.474) and is almost in range now. This is a 33% reduction!
Estradiol has also dropped from 95 to 72 pmol/l (41.4 - 159.0), which is a 25% reduction.
DHT went up from 175 pg/ml to 605 pg/ml (300-850).
Free Testosterone went up from 29.27 to 32.32 pm/ml (7.0 - 22.7).
Total Testosterone stayed the same at 23 nmol/l (9.9 - 27.8).
SHBG went up from 33.4 to 56.08 nmol/l (18.00 - 54.00).
Note that I did not take Tribulus at the initial reported measurements of DHT, Free T, and SHBG but I did for the Estradiol, Total T and Progesterone.
My current DHT concentration is not huge at 605 pg/ml. I am reducing the dose partly because the aggression is a bit much and partly because of cost considerations. I am wondering however if achieving a much higher level of DHT (above 850 pg/ml) may not be needed in order to downregulate ARs. Any opinions on this?
An interesting phenomenon occurred when I tried to reduce my DHT dose from 20 to 10 drops a day. I did it cold turkey without expecting much of an effect. Within 24 hours of the reduction I experienced at first gradual and then sudden onset of something I could call a hormonal crash. I am not sure it was due to falling DHT levels or to rising progesterone and estradiol, as these are the hormones that have decreased the most following DHT supplementation.
The effects I experienced were palpitations, extreme shortness of breath, panic-attack like feeling, extreme anxiety and fear. It took me a while to recognize I was getting a reaction due to the change in DHT dose. I was shocked how strong the psychological effects were - a dramatic mental shift. I quickly took a catch-up DHT dose and all physical effects subsided within half an hour and disappeared within an hour. The psychological effects disappeared within 2 hours.
I have previously gotten a milder version of this hormonal shock but without the psychological effects when I increased Tribulus too much, which is making me think it has something to do with high estradiol/progesterone, although it might have something to do with testosterone as well.
So far I have seen a benefit with raising DHT (with a transdermal solution) and Testosterone (with Tribulus). I don’t know what will happen when I stop supplementation and what my new baseline would be.
Any questions, opinions and feedback are welcome.
@Scott.H, @Cman, @orthogs @awor @axolotl