Estradiol stimulates cortisol production

Appassionato

Active Member
I was looking for something else, when I came across this study:

Estradiol stimulates cortisol production by adrenal cells in estrogen-dependent primary adrenocortical nodular dysplasia. - PubMed - NCBI

It's an old study and it has been performed on a single patient with ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome, but it gave me a hint of what I've always suspected, which is E2 induced hypercortisolemia.
So, thinking out loud, the outcome would be excess T aromatized into E2, which in excess stimulates the adrenals to produce more cortisol and the pituitary gland to produce more prolactin, as shown by this study:

Testosterone-induced hyperprolactinaemia in a patient with a disturbance of hypothalamo-pituitary regulation. - PubMed - NCBI

That would suit perfectly my blood test values and probably would explain why many people experience exacerbated anxiety while on TRT.
Obviously this is just an exemplification and it could be that I'm missing something here, but I wanted to share my thoughts.
 

hCG Mixing Calculator

HCG Mixing Protocol Calculator

TRT Hormone Predictor Widget

TRT Hormone Predictor

Predict estradiol, DHT, and free testosterone levels based on total testosterone

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This tool provides predictions based on statistical models and should NOT replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your TRT protocol.

ℹ️ Input Parameters

Normal range: 300-1000 ng/dL

Predicted Hormone Levels

Enter your total testosterone value to see predictions

Results will appear here after calculation

Understanding Your Hormones

Estradiol (E2)

A form of estrogen produced from testosterone. Important for bone health, mood, and libido. Too high can cause side effects; too low can affect well-being.

DHT

Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen derived from testosterone. Affects hair growth, prostate health, and masculinization effects.

Free Testosterone

The biologically active form of testosterone not bound to proteins. Directly available for cellular uptake and biological effects.

Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

Beyond Testosterone Podcast

Online statistics

Members online
1
Guests online
311
Total visitors
312

Latest posts

Back
Top