I was thinking about AI dosage recommendations and the fact that there are several factors that influence aromatase expression and conversion of androstenedione to estrone.

Bodyfat percentage. Adipose tissue is the greatest peripheral source of aromatase in both males and females. This is where the recommendation to get your bf below a certain level prior to cycling originated. Of course with the advent of AIs this can be overcome, but it seems to me, that the higher your bf%, the more anti-aromatase you would require.

Another factor seems to be bodyfat distribution. One study found 6-30x more conversion in lower body adipose tissue compared to upper body.

The metabolism of androstenedione (A) to estrone (E1) and 5 alpha-reduced androgens was studied in stromal cells derived from human adipose tissue from different body sites. The tissue was obtained from non-obese patients undergoing cosmetic liposuction or at the time of surgery for reduction mammoplasty. The conversion of A to E1 per 1x 10(6) cells was between 6- and 30-fold greater in the upper thigh, buttock, and flank than in the abdomen. These differences were present in primary culture and persisted to at least the third subculture. Estrogen formation in breast adipose tissue was similar to that found in cells from abdominal fat. The formation of 5 alpha-reduced metabolites (5 alpha-androstenedione, androsterone, and dihydrotestosterone) varied from patient to patient but was similar in cells from different body sites. These studies show that the regional distribution of fat may influence the metabolism of androgens in adipose tissue, with upper body fat tending to form a lower ratio of estrogens to 5 alpha-reduced androgens than lower body fat.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3504068

I found this interesting.This is possibly why women tend to carry fat in their hips, thighs, buttocks? And would some AI dosage be beneficial for women seeking to lose fat?

Age.

The fractional conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone as well as the specific activity of aromatase in adipose stromal cells were previously shown to increase with advancing age.

Type, amount, and strength of gear. Of course, the more androstenedione, the higher the potential for conversion.

So with all these factors, it just seems to me that there may be a fairly wide range of effective dosages for various individuals. And this may explain why some people are "non-responders" to the commonly accepted dosages.

So I don't know, am I missing something? Personally I use as little as I think I need, and then if I feel myself getting emotional over some random song, or notice my veins disappearing, I up my dosage. Similarly, if I notice my knees starting to hurt, I decrease my dosage.

Thoughts?