potty's picture
potty
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Naturally high estradiol levels?

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Hey All, looking for some advice.

Basics:
Age - 36
Height - 6'
Weight - 220lb
BF - 20% (measured by calipers)

Before running my first cycle, I got bloodwork done, and the results just got back!

Test Result Expected Range

Progesterone 0.6 ng/mL 0.2 - 1.4
LH 3.5 mIU/mL 1.7-8.6
FSH 4.3 mIU/mL 1.5-12.4
Total Testosterone, Serum 280 ng/dL 348-1197
Free Testosterone(Direct) 23.0 pg/mL 8.7-25.1
DHEA-Sulfate 170.1 ug/dL 102.6-416.3
TSH 3.320 uIU/mL 0.450-4.500
Estradiol 48.4 pg/mL 7.6-42.6
Insulin Insulin 12.5 uIU/mL 2.6-24.9

(I also had a CBC / Cholesterol, etc and all of those numbers came back looking great.)

So I have low total test, and high estradiol. I am sitting at ~20% bf and have been pretty reasonable with my diet and exercise and I am still having a bitch of a time losing anything.

From what I understand, the higher estrogen levels are probably not helping. Either by increasing insulin sensitivity in my fat or something else (I need to research this).

So this makes me think I should consider some sort of AI just on it's own, like Aromasin 6.5mg EOD or something, to see if it can correct my test/estradiol balance and get my e2 down.

Is this something anyone else has a problem with? How do you handle it?

outofacomic's picture

Naturally High estradiol.. I would go see your GP. DO NOT start taking an AI before you find out what is causing this problem. People are quick to jump the gun and start self medicating. I am speaking from experience. I have an average amount of BF on me and had my E2 tested, It came back high (Natural).. 1 month later and it is back within normal range..

The thing you have to remember with these test results is that they are not constant, hormone levels fluctuate and just because you have high E2 levels today does not mean they will be the same within a months time.. same with Testosterone, There are so many factors that can affect your hormones.. why do you think that an endo takes multiple and multiple tests to determine your true Testosterone levels.

See your GP!

potty's picture

Yeah, I totally get where you are coming from.

I guess I've decided to start taking better control of my endocrine system, and that will involve testing every few months from here until I day the I die. So when I see the test out of whack, I'll go on AIs until it's balanced. But even then, I'll keep an eye on it to make sure I'm not dipping too low, and if so, then quit the AI or lower the dosage.

It is helpful to know if anyone else is pursuing that kind of strategy. I understand it's riskier than having a doc look after it. But until I see more signs that my endocrine system is out of whack, I am perfectly willing to test it on myself and see where it gets me.

I am my own personal guinea pig! Smile

potty's picture

Added my stats to the post, but 36yo / 6', 220lbs, 20% BF.

I haven't spoken with my doc about the results yet. I ordered the tests myself and paid cash (there was a special for the panel, so the whole thing was under $300 ish).

The numbers aren't so whacked out though, that I would expect a GP to do anything, especially since free is in the normal range.

potty's picture

cool, I'll start the Adex and test again in two weeks.

Also thanks for the tip on the cheap blood work!

potty's picture

My diet is pretty clean, i follow the "Slow Carb Diet" with the exception of steel cut oats for breakfast.

So breakfast is blueberries and oats + eggs + a little bacon or sausage.
Lunch is some meat or fish / salad and squash (sometimes I cheat with a little corn).
Dinner is roughly the same as lunch.
And then I throw in a random whey protein shake for an extra bump in protein.
I also supplement with a B complex and flax seed oil capsules pretty much everyday.

I don't keep a strict count of my calories / macros, but mostly because in the past this diet has worked great for me, I never counted and weight loss was great.

scoobydoo's picture

You should figure out how many calories you are getting.A man your size should be getting a little over 3000 calories a day.If your not eating enough,your metabolism will slow down.

potty's picture

Ok, I'll give some low dose letro a shot, maybe 0.6 EOD for a week or two, re-test and see where I am at?

Or should I start lower?

(I have 1mg adex and 2.5mg letro tabs available to me.)