How do TRT feedback effects to HPGA also affect HPTA, HPAA etc?

[Deleted member 16042]

Starting to wrap my head around several aspects of these pathways. All share the Hypothalamus/Pituitary aspect, then diverge.

Are there related changes in other pathways due to TRT changing feedback in HPGA (Gonadal)? and vice versa?

e.g. does TRT's feedback effects affect the thyroid or adrenal pathways? Or the converse, does thyroid affect testosterone pathway?

 

[johndoesmith]

Starting to wrap my head around several aspects of these pathways. All share the Hypothalamus/Pituitary aspect, then diverge.

Are there related changes in other pathways due to TRT changing feedback in HPGA (Gonadal)? and vice versa?

e.g. does TRT's feedback effects affect the thyroid or adrenal pathways? Or the converse, does thyroid affect testosterone pathway?

I remember reading about testosterone having an affect on TBG and CBG possibly down regulating it. So while not directly I do think it has an indirect effect on other hormone systems.

Plus testosterone is purported to act as a corticosteroid receptor antagonist.

 

[madman]

Starting to wrap my head around several aspects of these pathways. All share the Hypothalamus/Pituitary aspect, then diverge.

Are there related changes in other pathways due to TRT changing feedback in HPGA (Gonadal)? and vice versa?

e.g. does TRT's feedback effects affect the thyroid or adrenal pathways? Or the converse, does thyroid affect testosterone pathway?

There are not a lot of studies on the effects of testosterone and how it affects thyroid/adrenal function in humans but if you search the literature some of the studies state that testosterone can suppress cortisol and also lower thyroid function.

Here are some really old studies

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1062764/pdf/jcinvest00343-0088.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1807335/pdf/bullnyacadmed00139-0005.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3661817
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470424/
http://www.eje-online.org/content/155/1/11.long

 

[Deleted member 16042]

Thanks, so in short, yes, these pathways are affected by each other, but wow, what another can of worms in assessment/treatment of the whole patient. I find this pretty compelling. raises questions about my own circumstances/balance of thyroid, testosterone, cortisol, dhea etc.

I'm starting to understand the relationships well within the HP-Gonadal Axis, but bringing in these other related Axes and the potential for each affecting the other is making my head spin!

 

[madman]

Thanks, so in short, yes, these pathways are affected by each other, but wow, what another can of worms in assessment/treatment of the whole patient. I find this pretty compelling. raises questions about my own circumstances/balance of thyroid, testosterone, cortisol, dhea etc.

I'm starting to understand the relationships well within the HP-Gonadal Axis, but bringing in these other related Axes and the potential for each affecting the other is making my head spin!

Yes it can seem quite overwhelming to us layman!

 

[Deleted member 16042]

It's complex but understandable, just takes time to learn. Lay people can have good brains too. Seems yours is right up there madman.