Re: How to Lower SHBG but not Lower Estrogen as Well ?

[Guest guest]

I am trying to lower estradiol and SHBG. I take nettle root. I

don't know how effective it has been, I haven't had my blood levels

retested yet. My total testosterone level is fairly high, like yours

and my free testosterone is at the bottom of the range, like yours.

My SHBG is over 70, very high. I have read that lowering SHBG can

increase free estradiol, because it binds with SHBG as well. I don't

know if this is true, but if it is then lowering SHBG probably would

not lower estradiol. However as I understand it lowering estradiol

should lower SHBG, which is why I am taking Arimidex. I am also

taking avena sativa to increase free testosterone. I question how

effective herbs are on changing hormone levels though.

>

>

> Hi all

>

> I just got back the following results:

>

> Oestradiol 34 pmol/L 40 -

250

>

> Testosterone 20 nmol/L 5.0 -

25.0

>

> Free Testosterone 62 pmol/L

60.0 -130.0

>

> Sex hormone Binding Globulin 30 nmol/L 13-71

>

>

> Finally got a good T result but no Free T and Estrogen is too low.

I

> am trying

>

> to work out what I can take to minimize the effect of SHBG without

> lowering my

>

> Estrogen anymore (which has it's own list of negative consequences).

>

> I am reading conflicting reports on Nettle Root, it seems it binds

to

> SHBG thus

>

> lowering it's effect BUT does it also stop aromatization to

Estrogen -

> obviously

>

> I don't want that.

>

> I would prefer to go the nautural route but drugs are definitely an

> option.

>

> Thanks, any advice appreciated as I am a poster-boy for low T

symptoms.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:23:37 -0000, you wrote:

>

>I am trying to lower estradiol and SHBG. I take nettle root. I

>don't know how effective it has been, I haven't had my blood levels

>retested yet. My total testosterone level is fairly high, like yours

>and my free testosterone is at the bottom of the range, like yours.

>My SHBG is over 70, very high. I have read that lowering SHBG can

>increase free estradiol, because it binds with SHBG as well. I don't

>know if this is true, but if it is then lowering SHBG probably would

>not lower estradiol. However as I understand it lowering estradiol

>should lower SHBG, which is why I am taking Arimidex. I am also

>taking avena sativa to increase free testosterone. I question how

>effective herbs are on changing hormone levels though.

I don't know much about the effectiveness of these various herbs, but

I get concerned when people start trying to adjust more and more

variables at the same time. You're taking three things to address

issues that are interrelated and have feedback loops. It would seem

almost statistically impossible to hit the right balance on all three.

[Guest guest]

Retrogrouch and Houstonatknight,

Thanks for your feedback. Finally found the file with previous lab

results...here goes.

May, 2005 (age 49)- Total Testosterone 925

November, 2008 (age 52) - Total Testosterone 561 (250-1100)

Free Testost - 84.6 (46-224)

Sex Hormone BG - 31 (18-47)

Testos Bioavail - 155.5 (110-575)

PCP prescribed 4 pumps androgel daily starting mid-December, 2008

January 23, 2009

Total Testosterone - 522 (250-1100)

Free Testost - 80.5 (35-155)

Sex Hormone BG - 31 (18-47)

Endocrinologist's comments: testosterone much improved, continue

current dose.

He has never had E2 checked, I didn't even know about this test until

reading recent posts on this. Why wouldn't doctors check this?

He went to PCP yesterday who said keep on the current dose even

though the levels dropped. He said it could take up to 6 months for

levels to increase which is not what I'm reading from all of you

guys. PCP originally put him on Androgel in Dec '08 to help with ED

and from what I read, that won't cure ED. I have very serious

reservations about whether the PCP really knows what he's doing.

Further complicating factors that may or may not affect T levels are

that hubby has cardiomyopathy (heart failure)and A-Fib (atrial

fibrilation) and is taking a slew of meds including beta blocker, ACE

inhibitor, digoxin, coumadin, antiarrhythmic, Crestor, mirapex

(restless leg syndrome), and Metformin (diabetes).

I'm really not feeling confident in his PCP and now I question the

endocrinologist as well. Any advice from you guys?

>

> >

> >I am trying to lower estradiol and SHBG. I take nettle root. I

> >don't know how effective it has been, I haven't had my blood

levels

> >retested yet. My total testosterone level is fairly high, like

yours

> >and my free testosterone is at the bottom of the range, like

yours.

> >My SHBG is over 70, very high. I have read that lowering SHBG can

> >increase free estradiol, because it binds with SHBG as well. I

don't

> >know if this is true, but if it is then lowering SHBG probably

would

> >not lower estradiol. However as I understand it lowering

estradiol

> >should lower SHBG, which is why I am taking Arimidex. I am also

> >taking avena sativa to increase free testosterone. I question how

> >effective herbs are on changing hormone levels though.

>

>

> I don't know much about the effectiveness of these various herbs,

but

> I get concerned when people start trying to adjust more and more

> variables at the same time. You're taking three things to address

> issues that are interrelated and have feedback loops. It would seem

> almost statistically impossible to hit the right balance on all

three.

>

[Guest guest]

Retrogrouch and Houstonatknight,

Thanks for your feedback. Finally found the file with previous lab

results...here goes.

May, 2005 (age 49)- Total Testosterone 925

November, 2008 (age 52) - Total Testosterone 561 (250-1100)

Free Testost - 84.6 (46-224)

Sex Hormone BG - 31 (18-47)

Testos Bioavail - 155.5 (110-575)

PCP prescribed 4 pumps androgel daily starting mid-December, 2008

January 23, 2009

Total Testosterone - 522 (250-1100)

Free Testost - 80.5 (35-155)

Sex Hormone BG - 31 (18-47)

Endocrinologist's comments: testosterone much improved, continue

current dose.

He has never had E2 checked, I didn't even know about this test until

reading recent posts on this. Why wouldn't doctors check this?

He went to PCP yesterday who said keep on the current dose even

though the levels dropped. He said it could take up to 6 months for

levels to increase which is not what I'm reading from all of you

guys. PCP originally put him on Androgel in Dec '08 to help with ED

and from what I read, that won't cure ED. I have very serious

reservations about whether the PCP really knows what he's doing.

Further complicating factors that may or may not affect T levels are

that hubby has cardiomyopathy (heart failure)and A-Fib (atrial

fibrilation) and is taking a slew of meds including beta blocker, ACE

inhibitor, digoxin, coumadin, antiarrhythmic, Crestor, mirapex

(restless leg syndrome), and Metformin (diabetes).

I'm really not feeling confident in his PCP and now I question the

endocrinologist as well. Any advice from you guys?

>

> >

> >I am trying to lower estradiol and SHBG. I take nettle root. I

> >don't know how effective it has been, I haven't had my blood

levels

> >retested yet. My total testosterone level is fairly high, like

yours

> >and my free testosterone is at the bottom of the range, like

yours.

> >My SHBG is over 70, very high. I have read that lowering SHBG can

> >increase free estradiol, because it binds with SHBG as well. I

don't

> >know if this is true, but if it is then lowering SHBG probably

would

> >not lower estradiol. However as I understand it lowering

estradiol

> >should lower SHBG, which is why I am taking Arimidex. I am also

> >taking avena sativa to increase free testosterone. I question how

> >effective herbs are on changing hormone levels though.

>

>

> I don't know much about the effectiveness of these various herbs,

but

> I get concerned when people start trying to adjust more and more

> variables at the same time. You're taking three things to address

> issues that are interrelated and have feedback loops. It would seem

> almost statistically impossible to hit the right balance on all

three.

>

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:50:39 -0000, you wrote:

>

>I'm really not feeling confident in his PCP and now I question the

>endocrinologist as well. Any advice from you guys?

Wow. The endo said " much improved " ? He clearly just looked at the

numbers and not the previous test. The original numbers were fine,

free T was a bit low but can vary quickly. At most a retest would have

been in order - with an E2.

That's also a lot of conditions he's dealing with. I'd question if

there's one thing or two that explain it all, rather than a see of

diagnosis and meds.

These docs sound incompetent to me. I'd go for 2nd or third opinion.

Maybe with a good internist.

[Guest guest]

>

> >

> >I am trying to lower estradiol and SHBG. I take nettle root. I

> >don't know how effective it has been, I haven't had my blood levels

> >retested yet. My total testosterone level is fairly high, like yours

> >and my free testosterone is at the bottom of the range, like yours.

> >My SHBG is over 70, very high. I have read that lowering SHBG can

> >increase free estradiol, because it binds with SHBG as well. I don't

> >know if this is true, but if it is then lowering SHBG probably would

> >not lower estradiol. However as I understand it lowering estradiol

> >should lower SHBG, which is why I am taking Arimidex. I am also

> >taking avena sativa to increase free testosterone. I question how

> >effective herbs are on changing hormone levels though.

>

>

> I don't know much about the effectiveness of these various herbs, but

> I get concerned when people start trying to adjust more and more

> variables at the same time. You're taking three things to address

> issues that are interrelated and have feedback loops. It would seem

> almost statistically impossible to hit the right balance on all three.

>

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yes I agree it is difficult to attack

these interrelated hormones but that's what we do, we try a hit and

miss approach - better than the alternative.

Personally, after many years of messing with vitamins, herbs and then

hormones I feel that herbs can be very effective and there is a lot of

scientific support for this. For instance, most doctors in Oz are now

aware that St s is just as effective for moderate depression as

prozac et al. That is pretty amazing, a big turn around from 10 years

ago.

Cheers