Low E2 and high Free T

[mccyjcb]

Hello all,

This might be my first post on the forum. Long time lurker and TRT user. I like to think I'm pretty educated on TRT and overall HRT and am intensely interested in the subject. But, I am baffled by my recent lab results. I went through LEF.org (even though I do get TRT through a clinic) because they were running a good discount. I got almost everything under the sun done which I've always wanted to do. Think the normal labs, but also FT3, RT3, Iron tests, Magnesium, Selenium, LH/FSH, Apo-A/B and ratios, Preg, Progesterone, Homocysteine, Hba1c, IGF-1, CRP, Ferritin, DHT. Just like everything.

I'm 29M and in terms of HRT, am currently on:

• 120mg test cyp E3D,
• 250iu HCG E3D,
• No AI
• 3 grain NDT (thyroid)

I like where my thyroid levels are at and follow stopthethyroidmadness for sorting that out. Other levels seemed great in terms of inflammation, cardiovascular risk, etc.. But, my estrogen makes no sense. Labs:

• Total T: 888 (range: 264 - 916)
• Free T: 26.7 (range 9.3 - 26.5)
• Pregnenolone: 88 (range: not given)
• DHT: 56 (range: not given)
• DHEA-S: 532 (above range)
• Estradiol: <5.0 (range: 7.6 - 42.6)

My estradiol was not even in the range. And I would say I have a lot of the symptoms of low E2, except for achy joints. But libido is near zero with brain fog and somewhat poor memory. I can't fathom why my E2 is so low and perhaps I should get another test to confirm, but am just baffled. Ideas? I'm going to schedule a call with my clinic but I think this community has a lot to offer. Any intelligent questions I could ask?

 

[Systemlord]

My estradiol was not even in the range.

The first thing that comes to mind is an aromatase deficiency, which is when I would usually recommend HCG, but you're already on it.

The HCG dosage is on the low side even when used in conjunction with TRT.

I wonder if you could be taking Cialis which can change T:E2 ratios or any supplements that act as natural AI's.

Maybe hyperthyroidism due to high Free T3 is forcing your liver to clear out estrogen at a faster rate than normal.

If you look at the other side of the coin, in cases of hypothyroidism, estrogen clearance is reduced.

The most likely scenario is your clinic is combining Test with anastrozole. You need to verify that this Clinic isn't using a combination of cypionate with anastrozole.

My money is on this one.

 

[Gman86]

is 120mg test and 250iu’s HCG ur total weekly dosages, or do u take those amounts E3D?

What was ur progesterone level?

 

[mccyjcb]

Thanks for the quick replies!

In terms of supplements that may impact, I was taking:

1. Ashwaghanda 600mg night time every day (ran out so I won't continue taking)
2. Tadalafil 2.5mg every morning
3. Zinc: 15mg every day (perhaps the biggest contributor to low E2?)
4. Berberine: 500mg maybe 3-4 days per week
5. Maca root 750mg

I do eat a lot of veggies and fiber and resistant starches (have been extremely fascinated by the gut microbiome and went through Viome to get that tested). I know cruciferous veggies are a sort of natural AI but I'd find it hard to believe that strong. But I do get a good 60-70g fiber every day. And only ~5g comes from an inulin powder, the rest is real food.

Ah good question and I sort of messed up the dosing. I'm on 120mg test each week and 500iu HCG each week. So 60mg and 250iu E3D.

Progesterone was at 0.2 (range 0.0 -> 0.5), DHT was at 56 (no range given), SHBG: 32.6 (middle of range).

 

[FunkOdyssey]

Tadalafil and zinc are both proven aromatase inhibitors. Even berberine has shown aromatase inhibiting effects in some studies. If I were you I'd probably drop everything and take the test and HCG alone and see what happens. Systemlord's suggestion to.make sure the testosterone isn't premixed with an AI is also a good idea.

 

[mccyjcb]

Yep that's my plan. Once I got the test results back I instantly stopped taking tadalafil and zinc. Because realistically, I was taking zinc for exactly that, to act as a natural AI. And was taking the tadalafil for libido but since my E2 seems to be so low, I have no libido anyways. And yeah, it's just straight test cyp. I had been feeling off for a bit now but until I got the labs (I was overdue), I had no idea why. And honestly it just makes so much sense now. Or at least, what others report experiencing with low estrogen.

 

[Jayway25]

Yep that's my plan. Once I got the test results back I instantly stopped taking tadalafil and zinc. Because realistically, I was taking zinc for exactly that, to act as a natural AI. And was taking the tadalafil for libido but since my E2 seems to be so low, I have no libido anyways. And yeah, it's just straight test cyp. I had been feeling off for a bit now but until I got the labs (I was overdue), I had no idea why. And honestly it just makes so much sense now. Or at least, what others report experiencing with low did your E2 come back up after discontinuing the Zinc and Cialis? I too keep having lower E2 I was on the whole gut microbiome kick as well eating cruciferous veggies, zinc and tadalafil